Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. They can be a long term solution that replaces the missing tooth root, not just the tooth you see above the gum line. A titanium screw is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Once the site heals in about 3-6 months, a dental crown, a dental bridge, or dentures are attached to the implant to restore your bite, confidence, and your smile. Today’s dental implants are very realistic and custom made to conform with your natural teeth.
You may be thinking that the process sounds rather involved, and asking yourself, “how much does a dental implant cost?” Different factors play into the overall cost of receiving this treatment. Here are some things to consider when evaluating the price of a dental implant.
Do You Need Work Done Before the Implant?
The cost for the entire process may need to include some preliminary dental work to get your mouth ready for an implant.
If you have been missing a tooth for a while, the bone may have begun to deteriorate. If the under-lying bone structure is insufficient to support an implant, you may require a bone grafting. This treatment strengthens the jaw and prepares the area to receive the implant.
Or perhaps a tooth is not missing but damaged beyond repair. You may need to have a tooth extracted before installing an implant to replace it.
These are just a couple of examples of preliminary work that affects a dental implant’s cost.
Number of Implants Required
The number of implants you get determines a dental implant’s cost as well. A dental implant takes the place of one tooth. But you do not need one implant for each missing tooth. You can have devices installed that can support many teeth on a smaller number of implants.
A bridge is one such example. It requires two implants on each end of the gap to act as anchors for the artificial teeth that fill the gap.
You can also get implant-retained dentures, full or partial sets, that fill the space for several missing teeth at once. You will need several implants to anchor the dentures in place, but far less than if you replaced each missing tooth with a single implant. While there are ways to keep the costs down, the more implants you need the greater the overall cost.
Does the Cost Quoted Include Everything?
A dental implant is made up of three pieces, make sure your quote includes the cost of all of the components.
There is a titanium screw that is implanted into your jawbone. Then you have the abutment, which is the connecting piece situated on top of the screw to connect the replacement teeth. Finally, you have the replacement tooth itself, or crown.
It is important to note that artificial teeth can be made from a variety of materials. Each type of material has different costs associated with it, some being more expensive than others.
There is also the time quotient to consider. Getting a dental implant will require multiple office visits until the process is complete. There will be periodic exams before, during, and as part of your aftercare, to make sure everything is healing as it should.
You may also need provisional bridges or crowns in place until the permanent version can be inserted. You cannot skip this necessary step.
Make sure all these elements are factored into your dental implant cost when gathering quotes.
The Complexity of Your Situation
Of course, we cannot overlook the fact that every situation is unique. The more straight-forward your teeth restoration needs, the lower the costs will be. If your circumstances are more complex, then the costs associated with the repair will increase. You will need to consult with your dental professional to determine the details of your particular case.
Location
Where you have the treatment done also affects how much you pay. Dental practices in the larger cities, like Sydney, will have more costs associated with their practice so you can expect to pay more. And while some consider dental tourism, we cannot recommend it as a reliable alternative. Choose a reputable dental professional who has the requisite education, knowledge, and training to complete the intricate procedure.
Contact Us for a Consultation
There are many things to consider when determining the cost of a comprehensive dental implant procedure. Your dental professional at CP Dental can help you understand your options so you can make the choices that are right for you. Contact us to book a consultation at one of our contemporary dental clinics in Mater Hill (07) 3050 3030 and Cooper Plains (07) 3345 1099 in South Brisbane or Emerald (07) 4987 6183 in the Central Highlands.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
