Tooth Replacement Cost

Maintaining good oral hygiene is of utmost importance. It is no mean task, brushing teeth twice a day and visiting the dentist every six months. So, it's little wonder then that very few people bother to follow these basic guidelines when it comes to dental care. Hence, many people end up suffering from tooth decay, they visit the dentist at a stage where the damage is so extensive that nothing can be done to save the tooth. So, after tooth extraction, the next step that one needs to consider is tooth replacement. Before people go in for tooth replacement procedures, they wish to know the options available to them and the cost depending on the type of prosthesis placed. Given below are details regarding the options available and how much each of these options cost.

Dental Implants Cost
One of the best options when it comes to replacing teeth that are missing is dental implants. Dental implants is a type of tooth replacement option wherein a screw is fitted into the jawbone and then a prosthesis is fitted on top of the screw, which acts as the tooth. This is an extensive procedure and usually requires a lot of skill. This is the most expensive treatment available to deal with missing teeth and the usual cost of dental implants comes to around USD 1000 to USD 3000. Although the dental implants average cost will vary depending on how many teeth are involved, the type of implant and prosthesis used and whether the bone health is good enough to not need any pre-implant surgical corrections. You can also check with your insurance company and see whether they will cover any or all the dental implants cost.

Bridge Cost
There also exist other options when it comes to replacing missing teeth besides dental implants. If the tooth is completely missing, and especially if it is a front tooth, then the best option available for the person is to go in for a dental bridge. A bridge is a prosthesis that uses the support of adjacent teeth. So, the adjacent teeth are used for support and replacement of the missing tooth. The dental bridge cost comes to around USD 700 to USD 1000. This figure once again varies on the type of material used to fabricate the bridge. There are bridges which have a metal facing and there are also bridges that are pure ceramic. The pure ceramic bridge will cost more than the one with the metal facing and since a pure ceramic bridge is what is preferred for missing front teeth, cost of front teeth replacement is often higher than the cost of replacing missing molars.

Other Options
There are a few more options if one wishes to replace missing teeth. One option is a post and core. In this treatment option, the root of the missing teeth needs to be intact even if the crown is missing. The single tooth replacement cost for a post and core treatment will be lesser as compared to a bridge or implant and will come to around USD 300 to USD 500. However, there are many factors that need to be considered when going in for a post and core. If your tooth has not been root canal treated, then you will first have to undergo root canal treatment, which will further add to the cost of the treatment. Also, a post and core is a relatively delicate option, so if you are reckless with your prosthesis, you will invariably land back in the dental chair for repair work, and this chipped tooth repair cost will once again add to the overall cost of teeth replacement.

This was all about the different options available when it comes to tooth replacement and its cost for each one of them. Ask your dentist about the options available to you for treatment, so that you may make an informed decision about the type of prosthesis you wish to go in for, which suits your requirements and budget the best.