How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
For patients that have lost a tooth (or teeth), they may be considering a dental implant at Smile Eden Prairie as a way to restore appearance and functionality of their mouth. Much like a tooth root, a dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically imbedded into the jawbone beneath the gum line so that a replacement tooth or bridge can be mounted to the area. Dental implants, unlike dentures, do not come loose and can benefit general oral health since they do not have to be anchored to other teeth the way traditional bridges do. A dental implant is an ideal way to replace lost teeth but what sort of cost can be expected with the procedure?
One dental implant can cost between $1,500 to $4,500 or more. Included in this price is the surgery for placing the implant, the cost of the components needed, and the porcelain crown itself. Should a patient need more than one dental implant, costs can be as much as $30,000. And if the patient opts for a full set of implants, in order to avoid dentures, the price could potentially be a high as $90,000.
While the number of implants needed clearly affects cost, addressing any underlying issues necessary to place the implant can raise the price as well. For patients with insufficient bone beneath the gum, additional costs could be involved if bone augmentation or grafts are needed. Depending on the magnitude of bone grafting needed, costs can be an additional $300 to $800 per area. If the patient has one or more teeth that need to be extracted, requires x-rays, or needs to see multiple specialists, they will have to cover the costs for those procedures as well.
While the number of implants needed, the condition of the gums and jawbone, as well as any other underlying conditions that need to be addresses all influence the cost of dental implant procedures, there are a number of other factors that affect costs. One factor that is commonly overlooked is that dental implant prices vary based on the city or geographical region the dentist practices in. A dentist’s rent, for example, is often times higher in major metropolitan areas so they may be forced to charge higher prices in order to cover their overhead. The price a supplier charges the dentist for their materials can also be impacted by location. Finally, insurance carrier coverage can be impacted based on location with some carriers covering a portion of the costs whereas other carriers will not cover any cost.
The experience of the dentist and the materials they use also contribute to price variances. Given the extensive work involved in placing dental implants, finding a highly trained and experienced dentist is advisable but can result in higher prices when compared to a less experienced counterpart. The material the dentist uses will also impact overall cost. The cost to manufacture zirconia implants is higher than implants made of titanium so patients can expect to pay more if their dentist uses higher priced materials.
More on Dental Implants : The Dental Implant Procedure