Dental Implant Cost, Value, and Procedure: What You Should Know

If you have a missing tooth, either from an accident, or from dental wear and tear, a dental implant is a permanent way to get back your full set of teeth. Dental implants let you eat and drink the foods you want, won’t slip or click like dentures and with care can last for decades.

There are many things to consider when thinking about dental implants. Here is the low-down on the cost, what is involved and what you need to know.

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement that is implanted into the jaw bone that looks and feels like a natural tooth. A titanium screw is implanted into your jaw where it grafts into the bone. A metal abutment is placed onto the implant and a natural-looking tooth is placed on top.

There are three main types of dental implants. These are:

• Endosteal – These implants are fused into the jawbone. They are the most common type of implant but do require a healthy jaw bone.
• Subperiosteal – These implants are not fused to the jawbone. They rest on top of the jaw bone, just underneath the gums.
• Zygomatic – These implants are implanted into the cheekbone (the bone below the eye), rather than the jawbone.

What is involved in a Dental Implant?

Simcoe Smile Dental will examine you to determine the condition of your teeth and your jaw bone. They will take x-rays to make sure the condition of your jaw bone can support the implant without doing more damage. Once you’ve established your treatment plan, your dentist will make an appointment for your dental surgery.

If your dentist determines that there is not enough bone to support an implant they may have to do a bone graft. This is where additional bone is placed on the jaw bone to help bulk up the existing bone to support an implant. If this is required you will need to give your mouth time to heal before surgery can be done.

On the day of your surgery, your dentist will implant the titanium alloy screws into your jaw bone. You will be sent home with an antibiotic to prevent infection and will need to stay away from solid foods for a day or two. Your mouth must heal completely before the next phase of your treatment takes place.

The titanium screw needs to bond with your jaw bone and heal completely, this is called osseointegration and normally takes between 4 to 6 months.

Once your mouth has healed your dentist will open up your gums and insert the abutment piece. Depending on the state of your gums they may be able to attach the ceramic crown, but sometimes this needs to wait until a follow-up appointment.

The final step is to attach a ceramic or porcelain crown that has been painted to match your natural tooth colour.

How Much Does it Cost?

To determine the cost of dental implants, you also need to consider the total costs of your treatment plan. This will vary depending on the condition of your teeth, the condition of your jaw bone, the number of teeth replaced and if any bone grafting is needed. The treatment will also include x-rays and follow-up appointments.

The average cost of a single dental implant is between $1,500 – $3,000 depending on what is required. If you require a bone graft, this can cost between $500 – $2,000, also depending on how much bone is needed.

What Else Do I Need To Know?

Dental Implants are a significant investment, but often the costs can be spread out over the length of the whole procedure, so you don’t have to pay for everything all at once. Smiles Dentures Care Centre offer payment plans to help make the costs more manageable.