At the store or online, learning the price of a product for anyone and everyone is just a few clicks away. However, not everything comes with a general, one-size-fits-all cost. Take dental implants, for example. These tooth replacements are customized to your unique smile and needs, making an impersonal estimate almost impossible. However, that doesn’t mean your dentist is hiding the cost from you. If you come in for a consultation, they will gladly share their pricing with you, because they consider certain factors in the cost of dental implants. What are they? Keep reading to learn about some.
The Type or Materials of Dental Implants
To accommodate various individuals, your dentist may offer a few options in terms of the kinds of dental implants. They may not present specific types to you to prevent confusion, but the materials used in dental implants can impact their cost. Most consist of titanium or an alloy with titanium because this is biocompatible, meaning it allows new tissue growth without triggering allergies. Zirconia is another common material for dental implants because of its white, tooth-like appearance, but it comes at a different price.
The Number of Dental Implants
The number of missing teeth doesn’t always equate to the number of implants you need. In fact, many patients can have an entire arch of teeth replaced with just a handful of implant posts! At your consultation, your implant dentist can determine how many posts you require to stabilize your dental prosthetic and let you know the associated cost with that number.
Whether You Need Preliminary Treatment
Don’t be surprised if your implant dentist informs you that you need a procedure before placement. Many patients lose jawbone density during their time without a complete smile. Without enough bone tissue, the implants will likely fail to integrate properly. A bone graft or sinus lift can increase the chances of success. Likewise, if you currently have gum disease, your dentist must treat it before placing posts if you want to have strong replacement teeth. Although these preliminary procedures increase the cost, they also raise your odds of success.
The Imagery Your Implant Dentist Uses
Practically every dentist has digital X-rays to diagnose cavities and basic issues, but dental implant placement is a much more complex procedure. A cone beam CT scanner collects images around your entire oral cavity and creates a 3D model, which contains more than just jawbone and teeth. It shows blood vessels, nerve endings, and other structures that your dentist can plan around and avoid complications in healing. In other words, this form of imaging is more expensive, but the positive outcome well justifies the cost!
No matter what cost your implant dentist estimates for your case, they should be able to break down the cost and explain it to you if you have questions. In addition, many dental offices these days also provide ways to make treatment more affordable in patients’ budgets with flexible financing. Regardless, keep in mind that having a healthy, stable smile again is worth almost any price!
About the Practice
At Brooks Dental, Dr. Stephanie Brooks and Dr. Howard Brooks have specialized training in dental implant placement and use some of the best technology in the field to ensure success. Performing all stages of the process in the same Winthrop office, our team offers convenience and confidence. To schedule your own dental implant consultation, click here to visit our Contact Us page or call us at 617-846-1811.