For many patients, missing or eroded teeth can have an incredible impact on their lives, ranging from pain to self-esteem issues. There are many different ways a dentist may choose to manage a patient’s missing teeth and decide the best answer for each case. Dental implants are one sure way to deal with missing teeth, whether due to injury or disease, as long as the gum tissue itself is healthy. The cost of dental implants is one major setback for many patients regarding this particular procedure. First, in order to gauge the total cost of the procedure, the patient must evaluate all the different types of dental implants with their dentist.
The Types of Dental Implants
There are a few different types of dental implants to consider when researching the procedure and its costs. Additional factors, such as the method in which they are attached to the jaw or gum, and the permanency of the implant itself should be considered, including:
- Individual implants
- Full or partial mouth implants
- Bridges
- Fixed or removable
- Materials for both crown and post of the implant
Implants can be applied as individual teeth in the case of a knocked-out or eroded tooth. Assuming that the surrounding gum tissue is healthy, a single tooth can be implanted alone.
If many or all teeth are missing, a dental specialist may opt for a more connected implant with multiple crowns attached to fewer posts. This is an efficient and secure method of implanting multiple crowns at once to the bone of the jaw. This makes for a secure bite and less trauma to the gum tissue due to fewer posts connected to the jawbone. A full mouth implantation procedure would simply double the sections for each arch of the jawbones, both upper and lower.
Bridges are used in situations where several teeth beside each other are missing. Rather than implant three or more posts into the bone of the jaw for each tooth, the dentist uses a postless bridge to fill the gap between implants.
Implants can also be fixed to the post where the patient can not move or remove the crown of the implant, treating it like any other natural tooth, or they can be made to be removable. This allows the crown of the implant to be taken out by the patient for cleaning or repair and can snap securely back into place when finished. This option uses pink plastic to mimic the gum around the white material of the tooth.
Materials Used for Dental Implants
Titanium
Due to its compatibility with the human body and its ability to fuse with the bone, titanium is the most common material used for dental implants. Its strength makes it very difficult to break or damage and has remained safe to use in dental and medical procedures for decades. It’s also extremely cost-effective.
Zirconia
Zirconium is a relatively new discovery for dental implants. It is similar to titanium in that it is compatible with human tissue and permanent, but it is less manageable as it comes in a single piece rather than two pieces that can fit together. Zirconia is less tried and true than titanium and is less popular.
Cost of Dental Implants
After all of the considerations for dental implants, it is easy to say that dental implants can vary widely in price. Depending on the material, a single tooth can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000. This makes it a challenge for American citizens to afford dental implants out of pocket and aren’t likely to be covered by insurance companies such as Medicaid or Medicare. More encompassing coverages with a considerate dental plan may cover procedures such as dental implants and is worth researching. Discussing your options with a dentist is an excellent first step.
More thorough procedures like single arch replacements or full mouth implants can range from $15,000 to $90,000, depending on where you go, if you’ve shopped around between dentists and providers, and the material or quality of the implants. There are also opportunities for dental loans, which can go as high as $100,000, covering the implants for the entire mouth, if need be.
Let Wambaugh Dental Help
As specialists in cosmetic dentistry, Wambaugh Dental has the tools and dedication to guide you through the process of deciding on the number, type, and cost of dental implants that are right for you. Contact Wambaugh Dental at 281.501.7849 for a consultation.
