Why Does Dental Implants Cost So Much?

The dental implants cost can vary, but you can expect to be quoted from about $1, 500 for each tooth. Some people have been quoted up to nearly $30, 000 per tooth, so read on to understand more about the factors that determine the total cost.

What is a dental implant? To replace a lost tooth, a post made from titanium, is surgically put into the gum and jaw to act like the root of the replacement tooth. After the surgery, there is a healing time of between three and six months, and then the tooth, which is called a crown, is attached to the post.

Always ask for a written, itemized quote when you have investigated dental implants for yourself. You need to understand exactly what is included in the quote and if there will be any extra charges later on. Some of the costs include the actual surgery with an anesthesiologist, the post and the crown, x-rays, numerous visits to the dental office and possibly medications.

Dental implants are not often covered by health insurance, but you could ask about any payment plans that are offered by the dentist you choose. Offering a way to pay over time is a fairly common practice in dental offices today, because of the high cost of many of the procedures they perform. If money is a challenge for you, make enquires at local dental colleges because they often charge less when the students perform the implants, while closely supervised by their teachers who are all qualified dentists.

The huge difference in costs between dentists can be confusing, but this complex procedure has many variances that add to the total cost. The location, reputation and personal fee of the dentist has a great effect on the amount charged for the procedure.

Other things which affect the dental implants cost include the type of implant. There are mini implants that are for holding dentures and normal ones to hold an individual artificial tooth, so make sure you know what you have been quoted for. There are numerous brands of both the titanium posts and the crown that goes on top, so ask about other brands in an attempt to lower the price.

A cap, called an abutment, joins the post and the tooth, but these are often left out of the quote. Again, there are different brands, so here is another area you could save money. Ask whether a temporary crown will be fitted, for cosmetic purposes, while waiting for the surgery to heal, and if it is included in the price quoted.

You mind find that your jaw bone isn't suitable for implants; this means that you would need a bone graft if the implant is going to be successful and last a lifetime. Sometimes, bone is taken from your hip area and grafted onto your jaw, or synthetic bone material could be an option; both would affect the total cost.

There are a number of personal factors that will go into what dental implants cost. If you have crowded teeth or signs of gum disease when the dentist first examines you, these will need to be attended to before an implant can be attempted, and this will affect the cost of the implants.