Cost of Dental Implants

The primary cause of tooth decay is inadequate nutrition and poor oral hygiene and oral care. Without intervention, the tooth will deteriorate- leading to tooth loss. Decay can be caught early with regular dental exams and cleanings. If a patient has teeth that are severely decayed, dental implants may be recommended- especially in older patients.

Periodontal disease is an advanced form of gum disease. As gums wear away, plaque and bacteria get underneath, which causes inflammation. This ultimately leads to jawbone loss around the teeth- which may cause teeth to become loose and fall out or require extraction.

Many of our dental implant patients have healthy teeth, with only minor cavities over their lifetime. However, as they get older, especially over the age of 55, tooth loss is more common.

Patients who are taking medications to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, or high cholesterol are at an increased risk of tooth loss. This is because one of the most common side effects of these medications is dry mouth – which speeds up the process of tooth decay.

Finally, trauma such as a fall, injury, or accident can cause irreparable damage to your teeth and may even cause tooth loss. If we are unable to restore the shape and function of the tooth, an implant may be the best option.

Endosteal implants are the most common type of implant. It is inserted into the jawbone. They are usually made from titanium and look like small screws. The primary advantage of this type of implant is that it keeps your jawbone stimulated and healthy, so it doesn’t deteriorate over time. If you have insufficient bone density, a bone graft may be required before the implants can be placed.

The primary difference between subperiosteal implants and endosteal implants is that this one is placed on or above the jawbone- not implanted into it. This type of implant is rare but is used in patients who do not have sufficient jawbone density and either can’t or choose not to undergo a bone graft procedure to fortify the jawbone.

For patients who are only missing one tooth and want to replace it for function, comfort, and aesthetics, a single dental implant may be the best option. A single dental implant is made up of 3 parts:

• ● Implant (goes into the jawbone)
• ● Abutment (attaches the implant to the crown)
• ● Crown (prosthetic tooth that is visible above the gum)

The average cost of a single dental implant ranges between $3,000 to $4,000.

For patients who are missing several teeth in a row, an implant-supported bridge may be the best option. In the case of a traditional bridge, the natural teeth on each side of the gap are used to anchor the bridge in place. However, in the case of an implant-supported bridge, implants are placed on each side of the gap and used to anchor the bridge instead of natural teeth.

The implant-supported bridge is fixed in place, which prevents the remaining natural teeth from shifting into the space. Therefore, it restores eating and speaking functions, as well as aesthetics.

The average cost of an implant-supported bridge ranges between $5,000 to $16,000.

For patients who are missing all teeth in one or both arches, the All-on-4 or All-on-6 implants may be the best option. This is a permanent tooth replacement solution. The overdenture will be fixed in place with either 4 or 6 implants. The dentist will determine how many implants you need to provide the most stability for your overdenture.

Since the overdenture is fixed in place, you will not be able to remove it for cleaning. It can be removed by the dentist for your semi-annual exam and cleaning.

The average cost of All-on-4 dental implants is between $15,000 and $20,000 per arch. The average cost of All-on-6 dental implants is between $24,000 and $31,000.

Another option for patients who are missing all teeth in one or both arches is implant-retained dentures. This is a removable tooth replacement option in which implants are placed and the overdenture can be removed for cleaning.

The average cost of implant-retained dentures is between $12,500 to $25,000 per arch.

Another option for patients who are missing all of their teeth is 3-on-6 dental implants. In this solution, 3 dental bridges are attached to 6 dental implants.

The average cost of 3-on-6 dental implants ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per arch.

The implant is placed in the jawbone and the bone fuses around it. This secures the post in place so it will not become loose or fall out. Therefore, dental implants are extremely stable compared to other tooth replacement solutions such as removable dentures or bridges.

Dental implants prevent tooth decay, so you are protected against harmful bacteria. Since they do not allow bacteria in, implants can prevent gum disease and may also reverse it.

Therefore, implant-supported tooth replacements are more resistant to infection and support your oral, as well as your overall, health.

Dental implants have been used for several decades as solution for missing teeth. Many patients have been provided with the ability to smile, eat, speak, and laugh without worrying about others seeing their missing teeth or knowing that they have fake teeth.

The success rate of dental implants is around 95% and with proper care, they will last a lifetime. The prosthetic tooth/teeth may need to be replaced, but the implant itself should not.

Dental implants are designed to look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Therefore, they are more comfortable than other tooth replacement options. Since the implant is placed directly in the bone, it allows your jaw to maintain flexibility and strength. Plus, since the implants are secured by the jawbone, you don’t have to worry about the prosthetic slipping and sliding around in your mouth and possibly falling out when you’re speaking.

Dental implants allow you to smile, laugh, eat, and speak confidently. You have peace of mind in knowing that your smile will always look great- especially since they are designed to last a lifetime.