It’s vital to be wise with any major investment. That’s what dental implants are: investments. Since implants often last 2-3 times as long as bridges, the cost over the length of time is actually considerably less expensive than traditional dental bridges.
You’ll get major returns on your investment during your lifetime. A dental crown or other appliance can eventually wear out. But a titanium tooth implant is a permanent tooth root that cannot wear down. You also can not get cavities with dental implants.
Again, you need to understand the total dental implant costs. By the end of this page, you will:
- Be able to compare the costs with other procedures.
- Understand the breakdown of the different parts of dental implants.
- Have the information necessary to make a decision about implants.
Comparing Dental Implants to Similar Dental Treatments
When a tooth is damaged, our dentist can repair it and cover it with a dental crown. If a tooth is very damaged though—or knocked out—some dentists may suggest replacing it with a dental bridge.
Both crowns and bridges sit on top of your teeth. They don’t require implant surgery. That means they carry a lower price tag at the beginning.
However, bridges and crowns often only last 7–15 years. They will need to be replaced at some point. Also, some patients have a hard time cleaning them well, leading to poor dental health.
Dental implants, on the other hand:
- Cost more up-front but last considerably longer.
- Never have to be replaced, except for the crown.
- Strengthen your jawbone, whereas crowns and bridges do not.
- Help prevent some issues, such as gum disease and bite misalignment.
These and other reasons make implants one of the best tooth replacement options, especially in the long-term.
No Dental Work vs. Dental Implants
What if you don’t mind leaving an empty tooth socket? You can save money, right?
Maybe not. The following are risks caused by tooth loss:
- Shifting Teeth: An empty tooth socket encourages the teeth around it to start to drift out of position toward the socket. This can lead to a costly trip to the orthodontist for crooked teeth and an unhealthy bite.
- Gum Disease: An empty socket also can accumulate bacteria, especially in the back teeth. It’s hard to clean, leading to tooth decay and additional dental cleaning costs, along with other dental services, such as gum disease treatment.
- Bone Deterioration: Empty sockets send a signal to the bone underneath: “You are not needed. You can shrink.” The body sends resources elsewhere, allowing that bone to deteriorate. Your facial structure can sag, and your jawbone can become weaker.
All of these issues lead to other costs at the dental clinic. They are indefinite costs in the future. You don’t know how many problems may come up from lost or damaged teeth.
In contrast, the price to fix teeth today through the tooth implant process is definite. You can plan for it and keep on top of it.
Factors That Determine Cost of Dental Implants
How much do new teeth cost? Every case is unique. Do you need just one front tooth implant? A full set of dental implants? A jaw bone graft? Let’s explore these components more:
- A Dental Implant: Each titanium tooth root is a high-quality piece of modern tech that will last a lifetime.
- The Implant Procedure: The dental surgery service price is included with the delivery of the devices.
- The Implant Abutment: Each abutment is a platform that attaches your titanium post to your custom tooth crown. Abutments are often custom-made and have their own cost included in the overall price, depending on your type of implant restoration.
- The Dental Crown: New teeth often include a final touch: the crown. This cap is the visible part of the tooth, which is used for chewing and is visible in your smile. It is customized out of quality materials and can add quite a bit more to your cost if you are getting multiple teeth replaced.
This all means that your final price for a dental implant and new tooth has quite a large range of cost that is hard for us to put into a specific number without knowing your individual case.
Remember what we discussed above, though: Dental implants are an investment in yourself and are meant to last a lifetime, which will save you money in the future!
Are You Ready to Find out More About Dental Implants?
If you need a new tooth, the price to find out more—including getting scans, an exam, and a consultation—is FREE.
You may be able to pay for some of the other costs through:
- Dental insurance.
- A credit card.
- 3rd party lender
Remember, the discussion above is just a guide to your prices. Let’s discuss more here at the dentist office.