Dental implants can be a cost-effective and long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, but they are not cheap. The dentists at Surdel Dental Centre discuss some of the costs associated with dental implants today.
Why Choose Dental Implants
Replacing missing teeth has several advantages. Missing teeth can make it difficult to speak and chew, as well as cause the teeth around the gap to shift out of place and contribute to facial collapse due to bone loss in the jaw. There's also the issue of restoring your smile's appearance.
When considering your options for replacing a missing tooth or missing teeth, you may wish to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. However, the cost can be an important factor when making decisions for your dental treatment.
One of the reasons dental implants typically come with a higher price tag is that they can be long-lasting. With proper care, dental implants can last 25 years or more.
What are the cost considerations of dental implants?
The cost of dental implants is primarily determined by a dentist's skill and experience, the quality of the material used to make the implants, surgeries, and the custom fabrication process required for implantation.
The main components of your dental implant — the artificial abutment and artificial crown — are made by a technician. It is expensive because this high-quality material must withstand daily use and wear for many years. Your new artificial root, abutment, and the artificial tooth will all function like natural teeth and will be custom-made to blend in seamlessly with your smile.
Your dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays before performing your dental implant procedure to determine how your implant should be made and attached. Typically, the cost of these diagnostic procedures is included in the overall cost of your implants.
The Dental Implants Procedure
There are two stages to dental implant surgery. Your dentist will first replace the missing tooth's root by implanting an artificial tooth root (a small titanium screw) beneath the gum line. The "root" will fuse to your jawbone as your jaw heals.
Before moving on to the next step, your mouth must heal for 3 to 6 months after implant surgery. The abutment and restoration (artificial tooth) can be added once you've finished healing.
This abutment, which is typically made of titanium or ceramic material, connects and secures the restoration to the dental implant. The abutment is then attached to the restoration.
Additional Treatments
Some patients may need additional treatment at our Delta dental clinic to prepare their mouths for implant surgery and ensure that the procedure is successful. Several hygiene treatments and, in some cases, a bone graft procedure are required to prepare the jaw bone for the implant.
For every treatment, including dental implants at Surdel Dental Centre, the dentists strive to ensure that patients get the most out of their investment. Inquire about the steps we can take to ensure the success of your dental implant.