Every year, millions of adults experience tooth loss. This can be for a variety of reasons, including genetics, bad lifestyle habits, poor dental hygiene habits, trauma, and more. At Dental Arts of Florida, we can help you with your tooth loss with dental implants. Here are some dental implant cost factors to consider when looking for a permanent solution for missing teeth.
Introduction to Dental Implants
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent solution for tooth loss. Implants are designed to look, feel, and function the most like your natural teeth. The process for implant placement is extensive and can take several months to a year or more, depending on what other procedures are required and how long it takes you to heal between stages. We start with a consultation to determine your eligibility for implants and whether or not any additional procedures are required.
If you do need additional procedures such as gum disease treatment, bone grafting, or extractions, we will do those before we place the implants. Many times, we can place the implant on the same day as any extractions. However, there are some situations that do not allow this. In this case, you’ll need to heal for a few weeks following the extraction before the implant is placed. Once the implant is placed, you’ll need to wait several weeks or months for osseointegration to take place.
This is when the jawbone heals around and fuses with the implant, permanently fixing it in place. After healing is complete, we will place the abutment, which connects the implant to the crown, or visible part of the tooth. The final step is to place the crown, and you will have a fully stable, functional prosthetic tooth. Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. Some patients do need to replace the crown after several years of wear and tear, but this is rare.
How Much are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the most expensive tooth replacement option because they feel, look, and function the most like natural teeth. On average, dental implants cost somewhere between $3,500 and $6,700 per tooth. Dental Implants Cost depends on several different factors, including:
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Dental consultation and exam
In most cases, the initial consultation and exam are included in the procedure price. There is no additional fee charged for this step.
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Sedation options
Local anesthesia is included in the procedure price. However, if you require sedation including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation, this will increase the price significantly. Patients who require IV sedation will pay the most because of the medication and additional staff required.
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Preliminary procedures
Some patients can go straight to the implant placement step of the procedure, while others must undergo additional procedures, including bone grafting, extractions, or gum disease treatment. These procedures require additional time and resources and will therefore increase the cost of the procedure.
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Materials
Standard dental implants are made of titanium with a porcelain crown. However, while titanium is bio-friendly and hypoallergenic, there is typically a small percentage of other metals in the implant- which can cause an allergic reaction.
Due to this rare potential, researchers developed zirconia implants. Zirconia is a type of ceramic. The only problem is that they are not as strong and durable as the titanium implants.
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Abutment and crowns
There are two types of dental implants, endosteal and subperiosteal. These two types of implants are made of three pieces: implant, abutment, and crown. The endosteal is inserted into your jawbone, while the subperiosteal sits on top of it.
You will also find that there are standard dental implants, with three pieces, and mini dental implants that only require the crown and the implant.
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Expert dentist
To place dental implants, a dentist must go through specialized training above and beyond regular dental school. They must earn the certification of an implantologist.
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Customized patient requirement
Some patients require more effort and attention than others. This will have an impact on the cost of treatment. The more service a patient needs, the more expensive the procedure will be.
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Tooth extraction
If you are missing most of your teeth, but still have some healthy ones left, we can work around the healthy ones and try to save them. Unfortunately, saving natural teeth isn’t always an option. Therefore, we must schedule extractions. This will help create room and a healthier support for your dental implants.
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X-rays
X-rays are typically included in the initial consultation. However, if additional X-rays or imaging are required, you may have to pay extra for those.
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CT scans
CT scans are a specialized type of imaging. Typically, if you require this type of imaging, it increases the price of the procedure.
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Bone grafting/osseointegration
If your jawbone density isn’t adequate, you may need to consider bone grafting surgery to create a stable base. Once the jawbone is restored, you can expect osseointegration to occur without an issue.
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Lab
Some offices can create crowns in-house, which may help reduce the cost. Other offices must send the information to an outside lab to have the crowns fabricated. This not only increases the cost of the implant but may also impact the efficiency of the procedure.
Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Some dental insurance plans will cover the cost of dental implants, while others do not. Even though dental implants do restore functionality, many providers consider them a cosmetic, elective procedure since there are other, less invasive options.
Our friendly office staff will take your insurance information and will work with your provider to determine your coverage. We will provide you with a quote outlining your portion prior to beginning the work.
If you do not have insurance or your insurance is not adequate, we do accept CareCredit for patients who qualify. This financing allows you to make smaller, more manageable payments over time instead of paying everything upfront.
Are Dental Implants Worth It?
While it’s true that dental implants are a major investment, they are worth it because they offer a variety of benefits over other options. First, dental implants are long-lasting. They are inserted into your gum and jawbone, becoming a part of you.
Second, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth and don’t require any additional care above and beyond your normal dental hygiene practices.
Key Takeaways
Dental implants are expensive because they are an investment in your oral and overall health.
If you are missing one or more teeth, you may want to consider dental implants to restore aesthetics and functionality. The team at Dental Arts of Florida has the experience and expertise to help you understand this procedure and its benefits.
Schedule your consultation appointment today at Dental Arts of FL in Jacksonville to get started with finding the best replacement option for your missing teeth.
FAQs
The choice to get dental implants is a major one. The team at Dental Arts of Florida wants you to be informed, which is why we are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. Some of the most common questions we get include:
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent, lifetime solution for missing teeth. The implant is inserted into the jawbone, and the jawbone fuses with the implant, making it a permanent part of the mouth.
How much are full-top dental implants?
On average, full-mouth dental implants cost between $12,000 and $25,000, depending on where you live, the materials used in the implant, the dentist’s experience level, and any additional procedures you may require.
How soon after tooth extraction can I get dental implants?
This depends on the health of your gums and jawbone. In some patients, we can place the implant the same day that we do the extractions. On the other hand, some patients require healing between the extractions and implant placement.
Why should I avoid dairy after getting dental implants?
While dairy products such as cheese, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and others are high in calcium and protein and easy to chew, they should not be on your list of “go-to” foods during recovery. This is because they cause an inflammatory response in your oral tissues, which can interfere with the healing process.
What is the success rate of dental implants?
Research shows that dental implants have a 90% to 95% success rate with proper care and maintenance. This means that you must continue to practice proper oral hygiene habits, keeping your teeth and gums clean. You must also visit the dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning.
Are dental implants painful?
Are dental implants painful? You will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area while we work. You may feel some pressure, but you should not feel pain. As the anesthesia begins to wear off, you may feel some slight discomfort, but you will be given pain medication to alleviate any discomfort you may feel. This should all subside within a few days. If the pain/discomfort lasts for more than 2 weeks, contact the clinic as soon as possible so that we can determine what is going on.
How much do All-on-4 dental implants cost?
The cost of All-on-4 dental implants can vary based on the type of restoration, implant materials, additional procedures, and individual treatment needs. At Dental Arts of Florida, the cost typically ranges from $12,000 to $25,000 per arch. Insurance coverage and financing options may help make treatment more manageable.
