Everyone wants whiter teeth, but the only thing more important than keeping your pearly whites shiny is keeping them in your mouth. But certain life events might make your full mouth turn into an empty one.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to restore the structure and function of your mouth even after you’ve lost teeth, and dental implants are one of the most effective options. While they’re more reliable than dentures, they are also much more expensive.
So how much can you expect to pay with and without insurance? And how can you work to lessen the cost of implants even if you don’t have dental insurance?
Here’s everything you need to know:
Dental implants are a surgical procedure where missing teeth are replaced by false teeth with metal, screwlike posts that go directly into the jaw. These artificial teeth look and function just like real ones.
These implants are made of titanium that fuses to the bone, so the implants won’t slip or become loose. This makes them great alternatives for bridges or dentures, which are more temporary in nature. Plus, the materials that make up an implant don’t decay like natural teeth.
Dental implants are great for anyone who has one or more missing teeth due to trauma or a tooth extraction that might be looking for a permanent solution. In order to get dental implants, you also need to have a fully grown jawbone, and you need to have adequate bone to secure the implants in place. If not, you might be able to get a bone graft to make the procedure work.
You might also consider dental implants if you’re unable to wear dentures or get bridgework. Not to mention, you need to be prepared for a long healing process and have healthy oral tissues to support proper healing.
The process of dental implants is complex, and it can take some time to get from start to finish. First, you’ll have a comprehensive dental exam to ensure this is the right move for you. At this stage, they’ll also take scans or models of your jaw and teeth.
For the procedure itself, the oral surgeon will cut open your gum and expose the bone. Holes are then drilled into the jawbone to implant the metal post. This is essentially the new “root” of your tooth. At this time, a partial, temporary denture is placed over the post until the jawbone grows and unites with the surface of the implant.
It can take several months to get to this point, but once the process (technically called osseointegration) subsides, the permanent abutment tooth is placed over the post.
You might need a bone graft if your jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft to handle a metal post on the surface. If needed, a medical professional can remove a part of the bone from a different body part and graft it to the jaw to make a more solid foundation. The condition of your jawbone at the time of surgery dictates how your oral surgeon should proceed.
The cost of a dental implant can vary based on several factors, including the material used for the abutment tooth and the type of implant. But regardless, the procedure is very costly. Not to mention, only some dental insurance plans will cover the cost of dental implants.
An insurance company might consider dental implants to be a purely cosmetic procedure and, therefore, not medically necessary. However, you might be able to combine your health insurance and your dental insurance to get the care you need. In some cases, dental insurance will cover at least a portion of the final bill.
But even then, dental insurance coverage is a monthly fee that can run a high price tag over time, especially since you need to pay for insurance even if you’re not receiving care. With that in mind, a single dental implant can range anywhere from $3,500 to $6,500 per implant. Note that this estimate does not include possible co-occurring procedures like bone grafting.
Here are some other ways you can try to save on the care you need:
All of the talented dentists who can work to make your mouth a better place had to practice dentistry somewhere. Dental schools are where young dentists can learn how to perfect their craft before opening up offices of their own.
Since dental students can’t actually profit from this work, you usually only need to pay for the cost of materials during your visit. All procedures are also overseen by a dental professional to ensure quality work.
While dental implants might not be offered by dental schools, it is still worth a try to see if you can get this procedure at a low cost from someone who is just learning the trade.
A dental savings plan can be a convenient option if you have one dental provider that you tend to visit most often. These are offered by some providers and are similar to insurance in that you’ll pay a monthly fee. In return, you’ll get massive discounts on the total cost of service. This low-cost alternative to insurance is great if you don’t have dental benefits under your insurance policy.
However, this financing option might not cover implant surgery because they are often only available at offices that do in-patient procedures. Not to mention, you can only see providers in the network with dental discount cards.
Implant dentistry is a complex procedure that can run high price tags, but your dentist might be able to work with you to make flexible payment plans that work for you. Additionally, you might be able to re-work the treatment plan to remove certain parts of the procedure that might not be necessary to your well-being.
Dental implants are a welcome alternative to dentures and bridges because they are permanent. While the process is complex and can take several months, the results are almost indistinguishable from real teeth. In fact, they can’t decay like real teeth, so they might work even better than what you already have in your jaw.
But all of that comes at a high price. The cost of a single dental implant can be as high as $6,000 without insurance, which is completely inaccessible for most people. And considering only about 33% of adults have dental coverage, this leaves a vast majority of people without access to the oral health services they need.
Sources:
Dental implant surgery | The Mayo Clinic
Osseointegration Clinic | Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopedic Surgery
