If you’ve looked into dental implants as a tooth replacement option, odds are that you’re excited about what you’ve found. Dental implants are incredibly durable, capable of lasting for well over 30 years, and they afford patients greater bite strength than other methods of tooth replacement.
However, as with any dental treatment, you might be a little bit concerned about what the dental implant procedure is going to cost. As it turns out, this price can depend on a few factors. Here are some examples.
The Number of Implants
Obviously, one of the main factors that will affect what you pay for your dental implant procedure is precisely how many you’re getting. This has to do with the number of teeth you’re replacing, as well as the style of restoration you’re using; an implant bridge to replace several teeth will require more than a crown to replace a single one.
Preliminary Treatments
Dental implants rely on the jaw for stability, which means that the bone has to be in good condition in order to guarantee their success. If yours isn’t it may be necessary to perform a bone graft in order to give the dental implant additional support.
The success of your dental implant can also be compromised if you have serious gum disease, as this can increase your risk of developing an infection during the healing process. You may therefore need to undergo gum disease therapy before receiving your dental implant as well.
Each of these treatments incurs its own cost which you should factor into your overall budget for dental implants.
Who’s Performing the Procedure
One of the largest factors in what your dental implant surgery is going to cost is the person who’s performing it. Different professionals will have different rates for their services, owing to a combination of their own expertise and the complexity of surgeries they undertake.
That means that it’s important to talk to several different practices if you’re trying to make your care affordable, finding someone that is qualified, trustworthy, and that offers services within your budget.
About the Author
For Dr. Helen Harless, her work as a dentist is all about helping people. Getting to know her patients, understand their concerns, and seeing them smile their brightest when she’s finished her work makes everything she does worth it. She received her dental degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry before honing her skills as a dentist for the Air Force. She is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a distinction obtained by less than 6% of dentists in the U.S.
If you have any questions about dental implants, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (208) 322-5655.