How Much do Dental Implants Cost?
Introduction
Losing or removing a tooth can be a very painful experience, especially in adults whose teeth will not grow back and who will therefore be left with a whole in their mouth. This doesn’t have to be the case however; there are now ways that a tooth can be replaced, even in adults. One of those ways is with a dental implant.
A dental implant is a metal screw that is inserted into the jawbone where a tooth should be. This screw binds with the bone and allows the false or replaced tooth which is called a dental crown to attach to the jaw. The end result looks, feels, and acts as a natural tooth would. Apart from replacing a tooth, dental implants can also be used to support bridges and can act as an anchor for dentures.
There are many other advantages of using dental implants including:
- It prevents bone loss in the jaw
When one loses a tooth, bone mass in the jaw is also lost. Dental implants help to replace the bone mass in the jaw, thereby replacing the much-need stabilization the jawbone needs.
- It helps to restores bite force
Unlike other tooth replacement options where the replacement tooth is simply positioned on the gums, dental implants are well anchored to the jaw due to the titanium post that replaces the tooth’s root. This ensures that even with the implant, you will be able to bite with the same force as you would with a natural tooth.
How much do dental implants cost?
Dental implants go beyond just having an artificial tooth put in, it also requires many tests and procedures before the process is complete. These are some of the things that influence the total cost of a dental implant.
- X-rays or CT scans: The dentist has to find the precise location for the implant and this can only be determined via an X-ray or CT scan. Depending on the number of scans needed by your dentist, this alone can cost between $20 and $200.
- Bone Graft: This procedure is only for people who do not have enough bone in their jaw and cannot support an implant. In this procedure, bone is taken from the body and put in the jaw. This can cost between $250 and $3,000 depending on how much bone needs to be sourced and where it is sourced from.
- Teeth Extraction: If you need a tooth removed before the implant can be placed, it typically costs between $75 and $600 depending on the difficulty and method of removal.
- The surgeon in charge:As with all things, pay is commensurate with experience!
- Cost Of Materials: The materials needed are the titanium implant ($1,600- $2,000) abutment ($275-$450) and the crown ($1,000-$3,000).
