Financing
The decision to replace missing teeth with dental implants is not only an excellent investment in your oral health and appearance; it’s an investment in your “happiness factor” and your mental health. Dental implant therapy – a lifelong investment in your smile – is more than just a solution for tooth restoration; it can vastly improve your quality of life.
Many patients begin the process assuming that the cost will be too high, but in reality, it might be surprising to learn just how affordable dental implants can be, especially when you factor in their long-term cost-effectiveness and quality of life improvement. Dental implant treatments are customized for each patient’s specific needs, so total costs will vary, and no two patients will have the same treatment plan or final cost. A full evaluation by an experienced dental implant expert is the best way to ensure that you are getting an accurate cost estimate for quality work.
Weighing the Alternatives
At first glance, the cost of dentures or removable bridges may appear to be less expensive than dental implants. However, when you factor in the total cost of these options, they can actually run much higher than dental implants, for several reasons:
- Initial vs. total costs. Their initial price doesn’t include the cost of replacing dentures or bridges, which may be necessary as often as every 5 to 15 years, or even more if they are lost, damaged, or broken. You must also take into account necessary ongoing maintenance costs, such as fixatives and adhesives.
- Convenience costs. Unlike natural teeth or dental implants, dentures need to be removed every day for proper cleaning, which can be a time-consuming process.
- Social costs. Dentures can slip or click when you chew, laugh, talk or kiss.
- Emotional costs. Dental implants restore self-confidence and reduce the stress and embarrassment of living with missing teeth.
When you also factor in quality of life and long-term oral health, dental implants clearly rank as the higher-value alternative.
What About Insurance?
Insurance coverage can be determined based on your unique treatment plan. If it’s determined that insurance won’t cover your procedure, speak with your dentist about what options may be available. Many dental practices now offer financing and payment plans that can be paid off over time.
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants is an excellent investment in oral health and appearance, and dental implant therapy is now considered to be the standard of care for missing teeth. Although beginning the process can feel overwhelming and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. The best way to get started is to contact your dentist directly and ask about suitable options that fit your unique needs.
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Every surgical procedure carries potential risks. You should always consult with a dental professional prior to treatment. Potential risk factors may vary depending on medical or other conditions of each patient. The possibility of immediate placement and the use of a prosthetic tooth depends on many factors, such as bone presence and quality, dental history, implant location, and availability of the final restoration. Your clinician will fully describe the possible scenarios to you during consultation prior to surgery. Every surgical procedure carries potential risks. Consult your clinician to find out if dental implants are right for you.