Dental implants have been on the market for nearly 30 years, but the last decade has seen improvements in materials and techniques that have made them more affordable.
Traditional Implant
A traditional dental implant is a permanent replacement for a missing tooth and consists of a titanium rod that is implanted into the patient’s jaw. This rod serves as a new “root” for the tooth. A crown or false tooth is then created to fit on the post, and the result looks and feels just like a natural tooth.
Mini Dental Implant
A recent development in the dental implant market is the mini dental implant. Mini implants function the same way as traditional implants, but use shorter and narrower titanium rods. Mini implants are a popular choice when the implants are used to replace multiple teeth, for example, to provide a patient with semi-permanent dentures.
Although the implants are permanent, the false teeth are mounted to the posts and can be removed once or twice per year for cleaning. These are a comfortable and convenient alternative to traditional dentures that are removed daily.
Can you put a price on a beautiful smile?
Initial Dental Implants Cost
The cost of dental implants varies considerably depending on each patient’s unique situation and geographic location. An average starting figure is approximately $1,500 for the implant and $1,500 for the crown. The cost is not determined by the age or size of the patient but by the complexity of implanting the titanium rod.
Additional Cost Factors
There are many factors that can and will increase the dental implant cost. When a tooth is lost or extracted, the hole left by the missing root will result in bone loss. Depending on how long the tooth has been missing, bone loss can be extensive and a rod cannot be implanted until the jaw is built up.
Bone grafting will add substantially to the dental implant costs, but is necessary for the implant to become fixed to the jaw. If the patient has gum disease, the implant cannot be inserted until the gum disease is treated, which can also add to the cost.
Constructing the crown takes several visits to the orthodontist and may include charges for additional x-rays and impressions. The patient may also prefer general to local anesthesia which can add thousands of dollars.
The actual dental implants costs can only be determined by a thorough consultation with a Periodontist or qualified dentist to determine the scope of the treatment and the total cost of the dental implant.
