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How much do dental implants cost?
One of the most common dental issues faced by adults is missing teeth. While this condition has several possible causes, the repercussions are dangerous for oral and overall health. Therefore, if you are missing one or more teeth, it’s important to have them replaced as soon as possible.
We offer several tooth restoration options at Brownstown Dental Care. One of the most popular options is dental implants because they look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than other options. Unfortunately, this makes them one of the most expensive options.
In this article, we’ll explain more about the average cost of dental implants, the factors involved in determining the cost, and how you can save on your dental implants. We will also explain some of the benefits of dental implants.
What is the average cost of dental implants?
The average cost of full-mouth dental implants is approximately $43,000 and may be as much as $56,000. Again, this is just the implants and the surgery- this does not include any other costs.
Some dental insurance providers cover a portion of treatment, which can alleviate some of your out-of-pocket expenses. However, some providers consider this a cosmetic treatment and will not cover anything. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. We do offer financing options for patients who qualify, which can help make treatment more affordable by allowing you to make smaller, budget-friendly payments over time.
Factors impacting dental implant cost
There are several factors that may impact the cost of your dental implants, including:
- Location of implant
- Type of implant (traditional vs. mini)
- Materials used in implant (titanium vs. zirconia)
- Materials used in artificial tooth (composite vs. porcelain vs. zirconia)
- Location of dental clinic
- Experience/expertise of dentist
- Additional procedures (sinus lift, bone graft, gum disease treatment, extractions)
- Sedation
- Insurance coverage
Tips to reduce the cost of dental implants
There are several things you can do to reduce the cost of dental implants, including:
- Maximize your dental coverage: check with your dental insurance provider to find out if dental implants are covered
- Ask about a cash discount: some dental clinics will give a discount if you pay cash
- Get a second opinion: consult with another dentist to find out if their costs are lower or if it’s possible to skip additional procedures that are recommended
- Expand your search: the cost of dental implants varies by location, which means a clinic located in a rural area will be less expensive than one located in a larger city.
- Use dental financing: dental financing will pay for the procedure up-front and you can make smaller, more budget-friendly payments over time.
Benefits of dental implants
While dental implants can be expensive, they offer several benefits that make this tooth restoration worth the investment:
- Durable: Research shows that with proper care and maintenance, dental implants have a 95% success rate and have been proven to last a lifetime.
- Preserves jawbone health: When you lose a tooth, the jawbone begins to deteriorate because it is no longer being used. Dental implants are inserted directly into the jawbone, restoring that stimulation to keep the jawbone healthy.
- Comfort: Dentures and dental bridges sit on top of your gums, which can cause pressure and friction sores. Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, which secures the artificial tooth in place.
- Maintains facial shape: When you’re missing teeth and your jawbone begins to deteriorate, your facial structure begins to sag. This makes you appear older.
- Preserves neighboring teeth:When you lose one tooth and the jawbone deteriorates, you’re at risk of losing the neighboring teeth as well. In addition, the neighboring teeth may begin to shift into the gap. Dental implants prevent migration and additional tooth loss.
- Restores chewing ability and bite force: When you are missing teeth, it can be challenging to eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits/veggies and meats. By replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you restore your chewing ability and bite force, which means you can make healthier food choices.
- Restores speaking ability: Missing teeth change the way that air flows through your mouth, which can impact your speech. Dental implants fill in the gaps, which allows you to speak more clearly.
- Improves overall quality of life: When combined, the above benefits of dental implants improve your overall quality of life. Therefore, dental implants are worth the investment in your overall health and wellness.
Learn more about dental implants.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement solution that looks, feels, and functions the most like natural teeth. A dental implant can be used to replace a single missing tooth or as support for a full arch. Typically, patients need 2 to 6 implants to replace multiple missing teeth.
Dental implants are made up of three parts:
-
- Implant: small screw inserted into the jawbone to support the replacement tooth/teeth
- Abutment: the piece that secures the prosthesis to the implant
- Artificial teeth: this may be a single crown for a single missing tooth or a full denture arch to replace all of the missing teeth
What materials are used in dental implants?
However, the material used in the crown can impact the life expectancy of that component. Porcelain is designed to last the longest but is also among the most expensive. Composite resin is much more budget-friendly upfront but will need to be replaced much more often.
Many of our patients at Brownstown Dental Care who are on a budget will start with composite resin and will save up to have it replaced with porcelain when they are able to.
Hybrid dental implants are an ideal solution for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth. This process involves placing a few dental implants to support an entire arch of teeth.
Factors that impact longevity of dental implants
When considering the longevity of dental implants, there are several factors to keep in mind:
Quality of the dental implant & the crown
Just like with anything else, you get what you pay for. If you choose the cheapest option for your dental implants, you can expect to have to replace them sooner. Again, the implant itself should last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance- but the crown will need to be replaced.
On average, composite resin crowns will need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years, while porcelain should last 20 years or longer with proper care.
Maintenance and care of dental implants
As we’ve mentioned, proper care and maintenance will ensure that your dental implants last for a very long time. This includes proper oral hygiene practices:
Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste and using an alcohol-free mouthwash, flossing once daily, and visiting the dentist twice yearly for a cleaning and exam. During the exam, we will be able to spot any potential issues that could lead to implant failure.
Overall oral health
Before we place dental implants, we will check for any oral health issues, including gum disease. If found, gum disease will need to be treated before we can place the implants. If not, implant failure could occur. In this case, the implants will need to be removed and your jaw allowed to heal. In the future, we may be able to revisit implant placement.
What is the average lifespan of dental implants?
Esteem Dental implants are a long-lasting tooth replacement solution. In fact, the implants themselves are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
Benefits of dental implants
Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement solutions. They are inserted into the jawbone and act as artificial tooth roots, providing support for artificial teeth and stimulation to the jawbone to keep it healthy. Some of the benefits of dental implants include:
Improved oral health
Natural teeth are prone to cavities and decay. However, dental implants are artificial, so there is no way for bacteria to get in and cause the replacement tooth/teeth to decay. However, it is important to note that you still have to take proper care of them to avoid gum disease and other dental issues.
Improved quality of life
When you are missing teeth, it’s difficult to enjoy foods that can be tough to chew- but when you replace your missing teeth with dental implants, you get your bite force back. This means that you can eat anything you like and you can smile, laugh, and speak without having to worry about them falling out.
Improved confidence
Missing teeth can have a major impact on your confidence. Many patients are embarrassed to smile and may even give up socializing because of it. Plus, missing teeth allows your jawbone to deteriorate because it no longer has the stimulation it needs to stay healthy. This causes your face to sink in, which makes you look older than you are.
When you replace your missing teeth with this natural-looking solution, you get your confidence back and therefore, your social life.
Durability/reliability
Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, so they are much more durable and reliable than other options. You don’t have to worry about your artificial teeth falling out or slipping around when you talk, laugh, smile, or eat. Plus, the jawbone fuses with the implant, making it a part of you.
Tips for proper care and maintenance of dental implants
Dental implants will last a very long time, possibly a lifetime, if you take proper care of them. Proper care and maintenance of dental implants involves:
Regular dental checkups
Ideally, everyone- especially those with restorations- should visit the dentist every 6 months for a checkup and cleaning. During this time, we will thoroughly examine all areas of your mouth to ensure that there are no issues. If we discover anything, we will be able to treat it right away so that it does not escalate and cause implant failure.
Proper oral hygiene
You should be brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Carefully floss around the implants to remove any food that may be stuck between the teeth. You can use an alcohol-free mouthwash if you wish to freshen your breath even more.
Avoiding bad habits
Habits such as smoking, using teeth as tools, and others can damage dental implants and ultimately lead to implant failure. If you have any bad habits, take steps to stop doing these things to keep your restorations looking beautiful for many years.
Is getting dental implants a painful process?
How long does the Esteem Dental Implant procedure take?
Are there any risks involved with getting dental implants?
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Brownstown Dental Care in Brownstown, MI is your local team for dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and other life-changing dental services. Your neighbors count on us for all their dental care needs. From general dentistry and preventative care to complex cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures, we are your team dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive care under one roof.
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