Dental implants are prosthetics fitted to the jaw to replace and exactly mimic the form and function of natural teeth. They consist of a crown, a metal post that is fitted in the jaw and an abutment that connects the two.
Dental implants are an excellent option for people who want to replace teeth lost due to old age, trauma or disease or those who do not want to deal with finicky removable dental prosthetics like dentures.
Are tooth implants expensive?
Dental implants cost can be more than many other dental procedures.
While no two implants will require the same procedure and hence cost the same, the starting cost of a dental implant can be around $2000 and rise depending on the material used, the skill and experience of the dentist and the location of the dental clinic.
If a patient opts for a dental arch implant, the All-on-4 could be a great choice, where an entire arch is fitted on four implants. This could be more cost-effective than getting the same number of teeth implanted individually.
Why are dental implants costly?
There are many factors contributing to the cost of tooth implant.
Expensive raw materials
The materials used to create the metal post and the abutment are high-quality biocompatible titanium or zirconium, and the crown is made of porcelain or ceramic. While there are many brands manufacturing the various parts required for a dental implant, there are differences in quality that reflect upon the price.
The dentist or oral surgeon’s skill
Dental implant placement is a complex procedure carried out by experts specially trained in replacing missing or damaged teeth. The higher the skillset and expertise, the higher the surgeon’s fee.
Location of the dental clinic
Another factor that could affect the cost of dental implants is the area that the dentist’s clinic is located in.
It is fair to assume that treatments offered by dental practitioners in urban or affluent areas will be more expensive than those in middle-class or lower-income areas, due to higher cost of living (e.g. rent etc.).
Pre-implant procedures
Dental implant cost is also dependent on the number of accompanying procedures that might be required (e.g. bone graft, teeth extraction, teeth alignment etc.).
Bone graft
A bone graft is a procedure performed to widen and strengthen the jaw bone. Weak jawbones cannot hold an implant and can crack or even break during the dental implant procedure.
Sinus lift
A sinus lift is performed to move the sinus away from the upper jaw, thus making room for a bone graft.
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction is a common pre-implant procedure. This is usually done because the existing natural teeth could be weak or damaged.
It is important to remember that irrespective of the dental implant’s cost, the benefits outweigh it by far, as with proper maintenance, implants can last for a lifetime.
Where are dental implants fitted?
Dental implants can be fitted in three different places in the mouth -inside the jaw bone, on the jaw bone and in the cheekbone. The cost for these can vary slightly.
What are the different types of dental implants?
There are three main types of dental implants.
Endosteal implants
Endosteal implants are those in which the screw is placed within the jaw. For this reason, the jaw needs to be strong and healthy.
Subperiosteal implants
Subperiosteal implants are those in which the implant is placed on the jaw but under the gum. This type of dental implant is performed on patients who don’t have a jaw wide enough to integrate the metal post and are unable to get a bone draft.
Zygomatic implants
Zygomatic implants are placed in the cheekbone rather than in or above the jaw. These are the most complex dental implants and are quite rare.
Is dental implant cost covered by insurance?
Dental implants are considered cosmetic surgery and are not covered by health or dental insurance.
Medicare coverage for implant cost
Medicare does not cover dental implants.
Private health insurance for dental implant treatment
Private health insurance companies generally do not cover the cost of dental implants. However, they could make exceptions for cases where it is proven that the quality of life is negatively affected by missing teeth.
Are there exceptions to insurance policies for tooth replacement?
There are very few exceptions to the policy of not offering insurance for dental implants. Some insurers may cover the cost of consultations with the dentist or the price of a crown, but not all parts of the procedure. Others may offer benefits back up to 60% or up to $1000 per person annually.
How do I know my insurance agency’s policies?
To learn about any exceptions to insurance companies’ policy of not offering rebates for the cost of dental implants, you will need to review their health and dental insurance policies.
How can I get comprehensive dental insurance?
If you are looking for comprehensive insurance that covers dental implants, you could consider buying a new insurance policy but know you may have to wait a whole year before launching any claim.
The good news is that at Advanced Dental Care, we offer payment plans that can help you smile bigger and brighter because you’re not stressed about the expense!
Which payment plan can I use for dental implants?
Advanced Dental Care offers payment plans through DentiCare, a leading payment plan solutions provider. With DentiCare, you can start with the minimum registration fee of $39 and get up to $12,000 for treatment with options to pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly over one or two years.
Are dental implants worth the cost?
Dental implants are absolutely worth the cost. They benefit the patient both aesthetically, functionally and also medically.
Dental implants improve oral health
Tooth implants are necessary for good oral health because they close the gap between teeth, preventing cavities and excessive wearing out of the adjacent teeth. They anchor adjacent natural teeth in their correct position and stop them from moving around, which can damage both the teeth and the jaw.
Dental implants maintain good jaw-bone health as well. Proper chewing movement and, indeed, the pressure exerted while chewing, can help keep jaws strong.
Dental implants can improve general health
Dental implants facilitate proper chewing motion, which in turn helps people chew and digest all food groups properly, leading to better health overall.
Dental implants boost self-confidence
Since implants look, feel and function just like regular teeth, they help people feel more confident in public because they can speak clearly and have an attractive smile.
Dental implants last a lifetime
Dental implants recover their cost because they last a lifetime and require care no different to real teeth.
This also makes them a better alternative to dentures which need to be replaced every 5 – 7 years, need to be cleaned with great care and are tricky to place in the mouth and remove.
Dental implants are easy to manage
The cost of dental implants can be considered worth it because once they are fitted in, there is no need to remove them or adjust them as one does removable dentures. In fact, many implant patients forget they have prosthetic implants and live life to the fullest without giving their teeth a second thought.
Dental implant procedures are low risk
However, like every medical procedure, dental implants also come with slight risks, but these risks are rare enough to make them worth the cost.
Dental implants are a wise investment
Dental implant procedures require up to a year, and several visits to the dentist before the crown is finally fitted.
The cost for this treatment starts at about $2000 to fit one dental implant and, as mentioned earlier, will rise depending on the number of crowns required, the manufacturer, the material they are made of and the skill of the dentist.
The high cost can be justified since it is a once-off, as implants do not need to be replaced, and do not require extra maintenance or regular visits to a dentist like dentures do.
People who have opted for different versions of dental implants all agree that restored self-confidence, a better quality of life and an attractive smile can definitely be considered a good return on the time and money invested into them.
Where can I find affordable dental implants?
A dental implant is a high-quality, precision-made prosthetic that is bio-compatible.
One or more of these are fitted into a human mouth in a complex procedure carried out by people who have undergone years of training for this job. These factors genuinely justify the investment a dental implant procedure commands.
So how do some dental clinics offer low-cost implants?
Lower quality components
Some dental clinics may offer cheaper components or give a substantial discount on their services to attract customers, but it is a good idea to investigate their claims of low-cost dental implants.
One of the reasons their dental implant parts are cheaper than most is that they may be purchasing these from manufacturers that are not using the highest-grade bio-compatible materials.
Unclear marketing
Some clinics may also claim to offer a “dental implant at low cost”, which may be slightly misleading for customers because they may actually be offering only the implant at a lower cost, and charge the standard amount for the abutment and the crown. This way, the clinic may give the idea of offering a complete dental implant procedure at low cost but is offering only one small part of on discount.
This is not to say there are no budget-friendly dentists around. There certainly are, and many of them are doing good work at affordable rates.
Inexpert dentists
Some dentists offering a dental implant at a lower-than-market price may be newly trained and looking to gain experience and build their practice up.
Provided they are using the best quality dental implants, they could be a safe bet but remember, more experience equals a higher success rate.
Having said that, people looking for cost-effective dental implant surgery should look closely into the discounted dental implant cost and ask questions of the practitioner who will fit the dental implant to make sure there are no surprises when they get the bill for the procedure.
Why choose Advanced Dental Care for dental implants?
At Advanced Dental Care, our dedicated and caring team goes the extra mile, so patients have a pleasant experience throughout the implant procedure. We offer flexible payment plans through DentiCare, and our team is happy to offer advice to patients on the best health insurance they can choose.
We care for you!
Our team counts integrity and empathy among our key values and considers patients and their comfort the number one priority. We take the time to know you, your dental health and what you are looking for. This means our questions are not just related to how frequently you brush and floss or whether you smoke, but also to psychological issues such as stress levels or anxieties related specifically to dental implants.
Don’t forget: your comfort is of paramount importance to us, so you can talk to us about absolutely anything that concerns you.
If you’re looking for excellent dental care for children or adults in the central west area of NSW, contact us on (02) 6188 7103!
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Dental implants: Costs explained | How to check your health cover | Finder
https://www.finder.com.au/dental-implants
Compare Extras Cover | HBF Health Insurance
https://www.hbf.com.au/health-insurance/extras-insurance/compare-extras-cover?qjtype=extras
Smile.com.au – Cosmetic Dentistry: Options, Procedures, Costs
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/cosmetic-dentistry#4:~:text=Item%20No.,%2418646%20%2D%20%2434669
Dental implants provide a modern, innovative, and permanent way to replace and repair damaged and missing teeth and restore the health and brilliance of your smile.