Replacing a missing tooth can be an extensive and expensive procedure, and the cost of a dental implant depends on many factors. Depending on the number of teeth, the current state of your oral health and more, implants can cost from a several hundred to several thousand dollars.
When ordinary bridges and dentures don’t work, enter the dental implant.
How Much are Dental Implants?
At Klein Dentistry, tooth replacement with a dental implant requires careful planning involving Dr. Klein, the implant surgeon, and the dental laboratory.
One factor that can result in additional costs can be preparing a deficient implant site. When a tooth has been missing for some time, there can be insufficient height and width of bone in which to place the implant. In other words “there isn’t enough dirt to bury the fence post”.
The location in the mouth can also affect the cost of replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant, and preparing a deficient implant site may require additional procedures. Replacing a single front tooth can be much more complicated, time consuming, and aesthetically demanding than an out-of-sight back tooth, leading to additional costs.
The components of the dental implant and replacement tooth are highly engineered and custom made. All these things contribute to the varying costs. These are for estimation purposes only.
The cost for the surgical portion of an implant, or the placement, of a simple, straight-forward dental implant is about $2,000, although site preparation can add $500-$1,000 to that.
The cost for restoration of single implant with a crown runs about $2,000 – $2,500, depending on the situation. Adding more implants to a case increases the complexity significantly, and the cost will increase slightly more than 1:1 due to the amount of pre-operative planning.
Remember, more than crowns can go on implants: bridges and dentures can also attach to implants. Bridges will be similarly priced, as they are the same material. Conversely, dentures are usually less expensive than crowns/bridges.
What Is a Dental Implant?
While there are several options for replacing a missing tooth, a dental implant is the closest modern dentistry can come to giving a patient their lost tooth back. A dental implant can be among the longest-lasting tooth replacement options and can be maintained on a daily basis like a natural tooth.
Dental implants are metal posts or frames that are surgically positioned into the jawbone underneath your gums. Once in place, replacement teeth can be mounted onto them. Because they fuse to your jawbone, they provide stable support for artificial teeth. This secure fit helps the artificial teeth feel more natural than conventional bridges or dentures.
The Phases of Dental Implant Treatment
The dental implant process is typically done in several phases: initial consultation, tooth extraction (if needed), implant placement, placing the abutment, and permanent crown. Implant treatment can only proceed as rapidly as the human body can heal, so there is usually a period of several months between site preparation and implant placement and several months between implant placement and final restoration. While the length of treatment can be a negative for some patients, it can useful to allow the patient to heal physically and financially between phases.
Maximizing Your Dental Benefits For Implant Treatment
Frequently patients will maximize their dental benefits by having part of the treatment completed in one benefit year and finishing treatment in the following benefit year. While there are several factors that influence the final cost of a dental implant tooth replacement, it is usual for the cost to be 20-30% more than the cost of a dental bridge. While the additional cost may seem significant, the expected increase in longevity of the restoration can make it less costly in the long-run.
Call Klein Dentistry in Grandville, MI to start your own dental implant process!
To learn more about how we can help you with your dental implants, contact us today via email, or call 616-538-4960! We’d love to learn more about your situation and find a treatment plan that’s right for you.