A recent national average for a dental implant restoration is $2,488 per implant. There are a multitude of factors that go into influencing the cost. First, we will describe the dental implant procedure and the documented benefits with this restoration.
The Dental Implant Procedure
Whether it was the result of an unfortunate accident or a scheduled extraction, you look in the mirror now and see a glaring gap in your smile. This simple change in your smile can easily impact your self-esteem and your self-confidence. It will not take long for the neighboring teeth to shift and drift into that gap causing a potential problem with your bite alignment.
Following a consultation with your dentist, you have both agreed to proceed with an implant as your restoration. The first step will be an x-ray to confirm the density and strength of your jawbone. The second step is a small hole surgically drilled into your jawbone into which is inserted a small titanium post. Several months of adequate healing are necessary for the post to fuse or bond to the bone. Next an extension, or abutment, is placed on the post to reach the gumline. The last step is the cementing of a custom fabricated porcelain or ceramic crown from a dental lab on to the abutment.
You now have a natural looking tooth filling that gap. Your healthy smile is back. Your biting and chewing have returned to normal. If properly taken care of this replacement tooth can last for decades.
The Components that Affect the Price
The first factor is your geographic location. Dental procedures usually cost more on either coast versus those in Midwest. The second factor will be your dentist and their office. Are they a periodontist specializing in dental implant placement or your family dentist extending their services? This difference is important when researching to understand the expected quality of the outcome. Other factors can be the choice of materials used; you pay for quality components.
Now let us focus on you as the patient. What is the location of the implant in your mouth regarding the ease of accessibility and the time in the dental chair? Do you have the necessary integrity in your jawbone to accept the post or is bone grafting necessary? Next there is the artificial crown from the lab. When matching your natural teeth are there any difficulties? Once your personal and particular case is addressed your implant will cost somewhere between $1,500 and $4,500 when the procedure is completed.
Is the Implant Worth the Cost?
We have mentioned your smile and your ability to bite and chew normally. The implant can keep your speech normal as well. The implant, if properly cared for, can last decades. Take the cost and break it down per year if you want to look at it differently. Proper care means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and complimenting your efforts with dental examinations every six months. A proactive and preventative approach that pays dividends in healthy life expectancy.