Getting dental implant treatment is an investment in your long-term dental health. Dental implants provide you with a permanent tooth replacement that could last for the rest of your lifetime if you practice excellent oral hygiene. When you get a free consultation at your local dental clinic, the dental practitioner will examine you and draw up a comprehensive treatment plan that outlines your dental implant cost. But, just how much do dental implants cost, and what can you expect to pay for these dental restorations? In this article, we will delve into the stages that must be followed and explain the general costs associated with dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small screw-like posts that are embedded into your jaw bone. They perform the function of artificial tooth roots. They are usually made out of titanium or zirconia, which are biocompatible materials that are well tolerated by your body.
Over the course of a few weeks, your jaw bone will grow around the implants, integrating them in a process called osseointegration. This is what makes them so stable and secure. Once osseointegration is complete, your dental implants will look, feel and function just like natural teeth.
Dental Implant Treatment: How It Works And What To Expect
It Starts With A Free Dental Consultation Near You
When you visit your dentist for a consultation, he or she will perform an examination and take some digital photographs and x-rays. Your dentist will evaluate whether your jawbone is strong and thick enough to support dental implants.
You will also be asked some questions about your medical history to establish if you are a candidate for implants. In order to be eligible for dental implant treatment, you should
- Have a strong jaw bone that is thick enough for the implants to anchor into
- Have fully developed facial bones that have stopped growing
- Be a non-smoker
- Not suffer from any unmanaged chronic health conditions
- Have healthy gums that are free of gum disease
- Follow a good oral hygiene routine
- Not grind your teeth.
Once your examination is complete, your dental practitioner will present you with a treatment plan that details your dental implant treatment. If there are any alternatives, these will be documented as well. You will also be presented with a cost estimate that outlines your dental implant treatment cost. Visit this link to learn more.
How Is Dental Implants Cost Calculated?
When you receive your dental implant cost estimate, you will be given a total amount that covers all the costs associated with your treatment. To read more about the factors affecting the total cost, click here.
The dental implant cost estimate will include:
The cost of panoramic x-rays
A panoramic x-ray provides your dental practitioner with a 2D image of your upper and lower jaw. It shows your dentist how thick your jaw is and how your teeth are positioned in the jaw.
The cost of tooth extractions
If you still have a damaged or decayed tooth in your mouth and it needs to be removed, the cost of the extraction will be added to your cost estimate.
Bone graft surgery
In the event that your jaw is not thick enough, but you fulfil all the other criteria for implants, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. Bone grafting is done to stimulate bone growth in your jaw so that in a few months, it will be adequate to support implants.
Sinus lifts
If you are having a dental implant placed in your upper jaw, you may need a sinus lift.
The cost of your dental implants
There are different categories of dental implants available. The cost of your dental implants and abutment will be itemised for you to see.
The cost of your dental crown
The dental crown is the final stage in the placement of tooth implants, and different materials can be used to craft it.
Your dental practitioner’s fees
Your dental implant cost will include your dentist’s charges for performing dental implant surgery.
So, How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
It’s difficult to give an average for dental implants cost because each patient presents with different circumstances and may require a different sequence of stages to follow. According to online research, the cost of dental implants in Brisbane, Australia is in the region of $3000 to $5000 per tooth for the placement of a single implant in a straightforward procedure. In the event that you need a sinus lift or bone graft, the cost per dental implant may increase to $11 500 per tooth.
What Factors Influence Dental Implant Cost?
There are a number of variables that influence dental implant cost:
How many dental implants are being fitted?
The cost of placing a single implant is less than the placement of multiple implants. However, if you need multiple teeth replaced in a single procedure, the cost per implant is lower.
The size and position of the dental implants
There are many different implants available on the market. They have different sizes and diameters and are priced accordingly. The amount of jaw bone you have available, as well as the distance between your teeth, determines the size of the implant that can be used, which also affects the cost.
The implant manufacturer specified
There are a number of different manufacturers, and each one prices their product differently; some companies are more established and have established more time into research and development than others, and this is reflected in their prices.
Is The Cost Of Dental Implants Covered By Private Health Insurance?
Some private health insurance companies may offer some cover for dental implant treatment. Whether you can claim on your policy depends on the type of cover you have. If you can claim, you may be subject to a waiting period, and there may be some out-of-pocket costs for you to cover.
Payment Plans
Some dental practitioners offer flexible payment plans so you can pay for the total cost in instalments. This makes the cost of your treatment much more affordable.
Is Dental Implant Cost Worth The Investment?
Investing in dental implants is investing in your long-term dental health. While the initial outlay may seem costly, it’s important to compare dental implants cost with the total cost of other types of restorations. Your dental implants could last for decades, but dentures or bridgework will not.
Dentures and bridges will need to be replaced every five to seven years, so you would need to work out how many you would need over the course of the remainder of your lifetime to be able to compare it with your dental implant cost.
With the increasing cost of living, there’s no way to tell what dentures or bridgework could cost in the coming decades. What you can count on is the fact that the price will go up in the future. By investing in tooth implants, you effectively lock in today’s price for your future dental health.
Implants can prevent bone loss, while dentures and bridges do not. Bone loss means that your mouth will change shape over time, and it is part of the reason that alternative dental restorations require ongoing maintenance and adjustment.
With dental implants, you can restore your smile and the function of your teeth with one procedure. Dentures and bridges require maintenance, repairs, relining and adjustments over time. These adjustments are time-consuming for you as the patient. Tooth implants are not subject to decay, and once they are integrated with your jaw, they will stay there. Your dental crown could last for up to 15 years after fitting it, which is far longer than a set of dentures or a dental bridge.
Furthermore, dental implants have a success rate of between 90 and 95%, which is unmatched by any other procedure.
If you are interested in a long-term tooth replacement solution, the best place to start is with a dentist that offers a free consultation to find out if dental implants are suitable for you. Please visit our clinic or contact us for a free consultation: (07) 3113 9789.
References
Dental Implant Guide: Costs, Process, Risks & More
https://www.smile.com.au/dental-treatments/implants
What’s Better: A Dental Implant or a Bridge?
https://www.healthline.com/health/implant-vs-bridge