Dental implants are a common and efficient way to replace missing teeth and are designed to blend in with the patient’s other teeth. They are an excellent long-term choice for repairing the smile. As a matter of fact, the growth and usage of implants is one of the biggest advancements in dental medicine in the last 40 years. With multiple types of dental implants available, there are many ways to restore your lost teeth. Whether it is one missing tooth or multiple missing or damaged teeth, the right dental implants can make all the difference in bringing back your confident smile.
If you are needing an implant for a single missing or damaged tooth, getting a single dental implant is your best choice. To install the implant, a post is implanted into the jawbone of the patient. Once this post implant has healed, a custom crown is connected to the post, replacing the missing tooth with a new one that matches the look of the remaining teeth.
If you are needing an implant for several missing or damaged teeth, getting an implant-supported bridge will be able to replace those teeth. To install this type of implants, posts are surgically inserted on the two outside teeth of the missing section of teeth. Once healed, a bridge is connected to those posts to fill the entire space with natural-looking teeth implants. This process allows for multiple teeth or an entire section of teeth to be replaced with one procedure.
If you are needing an entirely new smile, implant-retain dentures are available. These implants are removable, and they sit on top of the patient’s gums and are held in place with a glue-like substance. These full dentures can bring a confidence back to a patient, giving them a brand-new smile that they can be proud of.
One of the major drawbacks of using implants is that they can be expensive. Depending on the type of implant and the dental insurance coverage that the patient has, the cost can vary wildly. Dental insurance may cover the cost of the implants, but those plans usually have a spending cap, which can limit how much the policy covers. Without insurance coverage, the general cost of one implant without any other procedure is between $1500 to $2000.
The extra costs that are associated with dental implants include things like the crown, the cost of retraction, office costs, pre-operation and post-operation care, and others. With these costs included, the total cost can run from $3000 to $5000.
Of course, the more implants that the patient receives, the more cost they incur. For example, a full set of dentures will cost exponentially more. Luckily, there are different cost tiers available based on the type of material that is used to make the implants:
- Low-Cost Set
- $300-500 per plate
- $600-1000 for complete set
- Mid-Cost Set
- $500-1500 per plate
- $1000-3000 for complete set
- Premium Set
- $2000-4000 per plate
- $4000-8000 for complete set
However, there are cheaper alternatives to dental implants:
- Gum Disease Treatment
- This type of treatment is used for loose or what may seem like “hopeless” teeth. This treatment clears out all infection from the area. The damaged tooth is then splinted to a healthy tooth in order to heal, which allows for the natural tooth to remain healthier for a longer period.
- Root Canal Therapy
- This type of treatment cleans out the tooth area of decay and makes the tooth stable again. With virtually the same success rate as a dental implant with a lower cost, this treatment is a great option to have the tooth cleaned and reinforced with a crown.
- Dental Bridge
- This type of treatment is similar to a dental implant but does not involve drilling into the jawbone nor the gums. This bridge is fully fixed within the mouth with the same function as a dental bridge implant. This treatment is only used, however, when the damaged teeth are not risking the health of any surrounding teeth.
In summary, dental implants are a great and safe option for those looking to restore their smile. Dental implants are a long-term solution, while there are short-term treatments available. Lastly, the costs of the dental implants may seem steep, but they reflect the quality and lasting ability of the implant and procedure. If you have any questions about your dental implant options available, contact the trained professionals at Guilliot Dentistry.
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