Dental work is never inexpensive but some are more costly than others and dental implants definitely range on the higher end of the price scale. While they are more costly, dental implants are able to last a lifetime where other restorations may only last 10 to 15 years. Dental implants are more aesthetically pleasing and are significantly more stable than other restorative options.
Cost of an Individual Dental Implant
An implant restoration consists of three parts: the implant, an abutment, and the implant crown. Surgery for implant placement can cost between $1000 and $3000. Your dentist will then complete the restoration with an abutment and a crown which can cost between $500 and $4000. All in, a single dental implant can cost between $1500 and $7000.
Cost of Multiple Dental Implants
Having multiple implants placed can become quite costly but if you are missing multiple teeth in one area, you may be a candidate for an implant-supported bridge or partial denture. This type of restoration is suitable for multiple missing teeth and only uses a few dental implants. The total cost will of course depend on the number of teeth being replaced and can cost between $1500 and $30,000.
Cost of Full-Mouth Dental Implants
If you’re missing all of the teeth in your mouth or have to have them extracted, you might consider full-mouth dental implants to restore your smile. This procedure can cost up to $90,000 for both arches. Implant-supported dentures, or an all-on-four, are a beautiful natural-looking denture and are significantly more stable and comfortable than traditional dentures. Where traditional dentures use adhesion and suction to stay in place, implant-supported dentures are screwed into the implants and do not irritate the gum tissue by slipping and sliding while the patient speaks or eats.
Cost Affecting Factors
The biggest factor that will play into your overall cost is the number of teeth being replaced and the overall health of the patient. Before a patient can be treated with implants, your dentist will need updated x-rays and possibly CT scans to make sure that you have the proper bone structure to support dental implants. This initial visit can cost up to $600.
Once your dentist has determined that you are a candidate for dental implants, they will refer you to either a periodontist or an oral surgeon. This doctor will then perform their own exam and perform any necessary extractions. Tooth extractions cost between $75 and $600 per tooth. They will also evaluate the density of your bone structure and determine if you need a bone graft which costs between $250 and $3000 per site. The price difference here is due to the options of donor bone versus patient bone. If the bone of a cadaver is used, it is less costly than if it is harvested from another area of the patient’s mouth.
Lastly, the material that is used for your implant restoration can affect the cost of your new tooth. The implant itself will be made from titanium but the restoration a top that implant can be made from either porcelain or zirconia ranging between $1000 in $3000.
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