Dental Implants – The Truth About Their Cost

Most dentists agree that dental implants are the superior choice for tooth replacement. And in the majority of cases, patients who opt for dental implants are pleased with the results. This beggars the question why doesn’t everyone make dental implants their first choice?

The truth of the matter is that many patients settle for conventional bridges or dentures because while they know about dental implants, they assume they won’t be able to afford them. So, is it really true that dental implants are the most expensive choice? We’re here with some facts that show this may not be the case. So, carry on reading.

While there’s no denying the upfront costs of dental implants are higher than some other methods of tooth replacement, it pays to look at the bigger picture. Dentures and bridges have hidden costs that don’t relate to dental implants.

For instance, denture wearers need to buy a storage case for when they’re not wearing their device, special solutions for cleaning them, and dental adhesive to keep them securely in place. Sure, these items aren’t overly expensive, but the costs soon mount up when you’re buying them repeatedly over time.

Dentures and bridges also wear out or get damaged over time. Dentures have an average lifespan of between five and ten years, and bridges can be expected to last between five and seven years before they need to be replaced. Moreover, dentures are likely to need adjusting, relining and repairing before they are eventually replaced (more costs).o  

With regard to dental bridges, these devices can damage adjacent teeth. So while they may cost less upfront, further down the road, they can lead to more dental work and additional costs.

On the contrary, there’s no special care with dental implants – simply brush and floss around them as you clean your natural teeth. Because they’re embedded into the jawbone, they’re also a permanent fixture in the mouth. There’s no need to repair or replace them as long as take good care of them and avoid injuries to the mouth. Because they’re a standalone solution, they can’t damage adjacent teeth. When you take into account all costs and spread them over the rest of your lifetime, you’re likely to find that dental implants are the most cost-effective tooth replacement option.

The cost of dental implants varies

It’s hard to put an exact figure on the cost of dental implants because it varies from one patient to another depending on their health and needs. For instance, those who have incurred bone loss may need a bone graft before getting dental implants, which will add to the overall cost. On the contrary, those patients with dense, healthy bones won’t have to worry about the cost of this additional surgery as it won’t apply to them. Because of this fact, implants should always be the first consideration since the longer a patient is without teeth, the more bone mass they’ll lose, and consequently, the more they’ll have to pay for dental implants.

People also mistakenly think that the cost of replacing all of their teeth with dental implants will be astronomically high. However, with procedures like all-on-4 dental implants, there’s no need to replace every tooth with an implant. Instead, as few as four dental implants can support an entire lower or upper arch. This makes the cost of a full-mouth dental implant tooth replacement more affordable than initially thought.

So there you have it. The truth about dental implant cost. But before we sign out, let’s take a quick moment to remind you of the main benefits of dental implants, such as:

• No more bone loss

Dental implants are the only method of tooth replacement that replaces jaw bone stimulation and helps prevent the bone loss that naturally occurs when teeth are lost. Dentures and bridges sit on top of the gum so bone loss continues.

• Eat any foods you want

Because implants are secured into the jaw with strong titanium rods that replace the tooth root, it means you can bite into food with almost the same force that you could with your natural teeth. This means no foods are off-limit.

• Prevents your face from changing shape

When you lose teeth, your facial features start to droop since there are fewer teeth to support its structure. Implants provide similar support to natural teeth and help keep your face looking full and rounded.

• Amazingly lifelike

Dental implants are available in all shapes and sizes, and your dentist will work with you to design implants that fit the gap perfectly and match the colour of your surrounding teeth. No one will be able to tell you have implants.

• Permanent option

Dental implants fuse with the jawbone to become a permanent fixture so you can wave goodbye to embarrassing slippage when you speak and eat, and even better, there’s no need to soak your implants in a glass overnight!

If you want to replace a missing tooth or teeth, it’s vital to discuss all your options with your dentist, and that includes dental implants. Please don’t rule them out because of the supposedly high cost. You may just find they’re more affordable than you think. Why not book an implant consultation with Dr Akinwande at Chesterfield Dentistry? We offer a variety of implant solutions to meet all patient needs and budgets.