Dental implants are the best option for most people to replace missing, diseased, or damaged teeth. But seeing the price range demanded by this gold standard of tooth replacement could be shocking. So, before you go to your dentist to get a dental implant, you should know whether you can afford it. In this article, we will discuss all the costs of the dental implant procedure.
What Does The Dental Implant Operation Contain?
Three components make up the dental implant’s body, each of which has a specific purpose:
1. Implant: The screw or implant acts as the tooth’s substitute root.
2. Abutment: Between the implant screw and crown is a connecting post called an abutment.
3. Crown: The “artificial” tooth that sits on top of the abutment is called the crown. They appear and feel much like your natural teeth.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
How much dental implants cost depends on the type of implant you are getting. There are different types of dental implants available, and the following are a few of them, along with their costs.
1. A Single-Tooth Implant
When only one tooth is missing, and you want to replace it for function, comfort, and appearance, a single dental implant is the best option. One dental crown that attaches to the implant screw is necessary. The average price that the dentist can charge you for a single tooth implant will be £2,415
2. Implant-Supported Bridge
The bridge is anchored by the implant (instead of a natural tooth). A fixed dental bridge makes other teeth immobile, restoring function. Additionally, it enhances speech and eating abilities. The cost for an implant-supported bridge is around £400 per tooth.
3. Dental implants all-on-four
When a patient is searching for a reliable replacement for numerous lost teeth, all-on-4 implants are suggested. With this treatment, your complete upper or lower jaw is restored (or both arches). This healing is long-lasting. The overdenture can be taken out for cleaning and dental exams, though. An arch typically costs around £11,500 for an all-on-4 dental implant procedure.
4. Three-on-six dental implants
A 3-on-6 implant is an option for an implant-retained denture. It has three distinct dental bridges that are connected to six dental implants. 3-on-6 implants might cost around £11,620.
It’s crucial to realize that dental implants can last a lifetime with proper maintenance. You’re saving yourself a lot of future stress and work by investing time and money in them.
Compared to alternative methods of replacing lost teeth, the operation offers a greater ROI. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they don’t need to be replaced regularly or force you to change good teeth. You don’t have to practice speaking or eating if you have dental implants. They have a genuine tooth-like sensation.
The additional Dental implants cost:
In addition to the cost of the implant and the surgery involved in placing it, additional costs could include the following:
1. Bone grafting:
A minor bone grafting treatment costs around £200 – £1,200. Whereas, if you want a major bone graft, it will cost around £1,200 – £2,500.
2. Sinus lift:
This operation can improve the thickness of the upper jaw’s bone and run you between £500 – £2,000.
3. General anesthesia:
An anesthesiologist must provide general anesthesia. It is likely to cost several hundred pounds. Sedation can cost around £350.
4. Specialized care:
For operations like implant placement, oral and maxillofacial surgeons typically charge more than dentists.
Why do Dental implants cost so much money?
The high Dental implant cost is due to the length and complexity of the implant insertion process and the cost of the implant materials. Getting a dental implant requires several months, from beginning to end.
Typically, the procedure starts with a consultation and dental examination. Then, your dentist or periodontist will administer local anesthetic or IV sedation after you are seated in the dental chair to lessen discomfort.
The dentist will place an implant body in the shape of a screw into the area of your jawbone where your tooth once existed. A term for this is an endosteal implant. The intention is for the healing procedure in your body to connect the jawbone to the implant body.
Your dentist may suggest a subperiosteal implant if your jawbone is not as dense. This kind of implant is positioned above the jawbone but beneath the gum.
After the implant site has healed for a few weeks or months, you will schedule your next appointment. The dental professional will add an abutment, or strengthening post, to the implant body to expand it and secure the replacement tooth.
The dental lab will create a customized crown to match the shade of your natural teeth. Usually constructed of ceramic or porcelain, these crowns. To attach the crown to the abutment with a screw or dental cement, you must return to the dentist’s office when the crown is finished.
Do Dental Implants Have Insurance Coverage?
Your insurance does not cover your Dental implants. However, some providers may only compare such implant dentistry, which is cheaper.
Dental implants are becoming more common due to their continued effectiveness, but insurance companies still view them as elective operations. And dental surgery achieved to attained for cosmetic purposes is also not covered under insurance. However, insurance companies will probably eventually realize that dental implants offer long-term patient benefits over other tooth replacement choices. However, if your insurance does not cover your treatments, ask for a treatment allowance equivalent to the cost of your dental implants.
Dental implants are an investment.
Dental implants are expensive at first glance, especially when compared to alternative tooth replacement options. The two alternatives, however, dentures and bridges, often need to be fixed or replaced every five to ten years. The cost of this ongoing upkeep might fast exceed the costs of merely using implants, which have a lifetime (so long as you care for them properly). Additionally, they stop your jawbone from deteriorating—something that dentures and bridges cannot achieve.
Your face will alter shape as your jaw weakens. You’ll begin to appear older. Additionally, your current teeth will begin to loosen. The jawbone provides the framework that keeps the roots of your teeth in place. Your other teeth will follow after it is lost. It is precious to keep your remaining teeth in your mouth.
Therefore, we advise you to see dental implants as an investment rather than a cost.
Conclusion:
The Dental implant cost differs from patient to patient because every situation is unique. In addition, it relies on various variables, including the surgeon’s experience and the quantity of preoperative care.
Your insurance does not typically cover your dental implant surgery. However, there are various ways to reduce the cost of the treatment.
