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Children’s Dentist If you are considering implant treatments, chances are you have heard that they can help restore your appearance and ability to chew. But like buying products, the first thing that comes to your mind is how much dental implants cost because they are not exempted in this money-related query. Although the treatment is not cheap, it may be a worthy investment for you because of its many benefits.
This blog post will give a closer look at this treatment, plus the average amount you must prepare, its purposes, and its recovery period.
Contents Navigation
- Dental Implants: A Quick Background
- Purposes of Dental Implants
- Different Dental Implant Types
- How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
- Factors Affecting the Cost of Dental Implants
- Why are dental implants expensive?
- What Is the Procedure for Dental Implants?
- How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
- How Long Does the Recovery Take?
- Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
- Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?
Dental Implants: A Quick Background
When an individual loses a tooth due to injury or disease (such as tooth decay), it impacts not only their appearance and smile but also their ability to chew and speak properly. Dental implants are a popular dental procedure to replace missing teeth as they are effective in addressing such problems.
Dental implant systems consist of an implant body, abutment, and a titanium crew.
Titanium posts are surgically implanted into your jawbone. The bone will then fuse around the metal post, making it a strong and stable base. These posts function as an artificial tooth root where the new teeth (or dental crown) can be attached.
First, you should know that this treatment is not for everyone. Certain factors will contribute to the success or failure of your dental implants. These include:
- The density and quality of your jawbone
- The presence of gum disease
- Your overall health condition
To know if you are eligible for this treatment, your dentist will conduct a thorough examination, which may include taking X-rays and 3D images of your mouth.
Purposes of Dental Implants
Aside from restoring your chewing ability and improving your appearance, dental implants also have other benefits.
This surgical procedure is known to:
- Prevent further bone loss in the jaw.
When you have tooth loss, the jawbone where the tooth was will gradually shrink and resorb. This is because there is no longer stimulation in that area. Dental implants can help reduce or slow down the resorption by providing jaw bone stimulation. - Make eating easier.
Dental implants function and feel like your natural teeth. With this, you can eat your favorite food without any discomfort or worry of them slipping out. - Improve speaking ability.
Dentures and bridges can sometimes affect your speech. This is because they can slip out of place, changing how you articulate words. Dental implants, on the other hand, will not slip out of place, giving you the confidence to speak without any worry. - Make brushing and flossing easier.
When you have dentures, you have to be extra careful when cleaning them to avoid breaking them. With implants, you can brush and floss your teeth like how you do with your natural teeth. - Give you a natural-looking smile.
Dental implants are designed to match your natural teeth’s shape and colour. With this, nobody will even notice that you have artificial teeth.
Different Dental Implant Types
There are three dental implant types you should know, and these are:
1. Endosteal (In the Bone)
This is the most common dental implant type, ideal for patients with a strong jawbone. It involves placing metal screws, blades, or cylinders directly into the jawbone. After the implant is fused with the bone, your dentist will attach a post to it. This post will then support your new teeth.
Some of the benefits include:
- It is the safest among the other types.
- The most affordable type.
2. Subperiosteal (On the Bone)
This type is ideal for patients who do not have enough healthy bones to support endosteal implants. It involves placing a metal framework on the top of your jawbone, just below your gum tissue. As the gums heal, the metal will fuse with your jawbone.
Its biggest advantage is allowing people with narrow or damaged jawbones to have dental implants.
3. Zygomatic (Cheekbone)
This type is ideal for patients who have lost teeth in the upper jaw or have a weak jawbone. It involves placing the metal framework on your cheekbone, supporting your artificial teeth. Normally, a patient with severe bone loss in the upper jaw needs bone grafting (or bone augmentation), but the bone grafting procedure is no longer needed in this dental type.
Its benefits are:
- Less invasive than bone grafting procedures
- Quicker to recover from
- It doesn’t require patients to wear dentures or go without teeth during the healing process.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Like other implant treatments, dental implant pricing varies. In Australia, the typical upfront cost is between $3,000 to $5,500 per tooth. If it’s necessary to have a bone graft or sinus lift, it can cost you up to $11,500 for a single implant.
If you have an all-on-x dental implant, expect to pay between \$23,000 to \$27,000 per fixed arch. However, we highly recommend that you visit your trusted dentist to get a more accurate cost.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Dental Implants
Several factors can impact dental implants costs, and these include:
The Type of Implant You Need
Depending on the implant type you need, the price will differ. For example, if your dentist recommends having an endosteal implant since you have a strong jawbone, it would be more affordable than getting a zygomatic implant.
The Number of Implants You Need
If you only need one implant, it would be cheaper than needing several implants.
The Location of the Dental Practice
Dental practices in major metropolitan cities will likely charge more than those in rural areas. This is because the overheads are higher in cities.
Your Oral Health
The dental implant procedure will be less complicated if you have good oral health. However, you might need additional procedures if you have poor oral health.
The Experience of the Dentist
Similar to any other profession, the more experienced the dental or oral surgeon is, the more they can charge for their services. Some have extensive training, and others don’t.
Your Health Fund Coverage
Some health funds in Australia offer cover for dental implants. However, the cover varies from one health fund provider to another. It’s best to check with your insurer first to see if they offer any coverage.
Why are dental implants expensive?
The following may be some reasons why implants are costly:
- They’re often considered a cosmetic procedure. In most cases, health funds don’t cover the cost of cosmetic procedure
- The materials used in dental implants are expensive. Titanium, for instance, is a strong and durable metal that’s used in making dental implants.
What Is the Procedure for Dental Implants?
This dental treatment involves the following procedures:
- At your initial consultation, your dentist will check your mouth and take X-rays to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If you’re not due to some reasons, such as inadequate bone support, your dentist will recommend other treatment options.
- If you are, they will numb your gums and jawbone before making a small incision.
- They will place the metal post in your jaw bone and close the incision with stitches. After that, they will wait for several months (usually 4-6 months for it to heal) for the metal post to fuse with your jawbone before attaching the false tooth.
- Finally, they will ensure that the artificial tooth is securely in place.
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants can last from 20 to 30 years or more. The artificial teeth (or crowns) attached to the implants may need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years because of wear and tear. However, the longevity of your implants will depend on your oral health habits and how you take care of your implants.
How Long Does the Recovery Take?
A few factors affect your healing time after dental implant surgery. Full recovery may take from weeks to months after implant placement. However, it may take longer if you have multiple implants placed or if you have tissue grafts.
It’s important to remember to observe proper oral hygiene and avoid bad oral habits during recovery to help speed up the process. You must follow your dentist’s instructions on how to take care of your mouth as it heals. You might experience discomfort and swelling for a few days after the surgery, so your dentist will prescribe painkillers to manage the pain. Also, they will give you a list of foods to eat and avoid during the healing process.
To speed up the recovery, make sure to:
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.
- Consume soft foods and avoid hard or crunchy ones that may irritate your gums.
- Avoid smoking as it can delay healing and cause infection, possibly resulting in implant failure.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover all procedures related to dental implants in Australia. Unlike other health treatment costs, it is considered cosmetics. However, there are two situations wherein they may pay a portion of your expenses, such as:
- If your oral health is negatively affecting your overall health.
You need a referral from your GP under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement to be eligible. - You are a concession card holder.
Some concession card holders can qualify for state-based dental vouchers that they can apply to medically-necessary dental implants.
Moreover, ask your dentist if they accept certain payment plans, such as monthly payments. You may also want to check if your private health insurance covers dental implants.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Cost?
Dental implants may be worth the cost because they are a long-term option for your tooth loss problem. They can last for many years and even a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants also look and feel like your natural teeth, so you can eat and speak without any difficulty. They don’t require special care, unlike dentures which need to be removed and soaked in solutions overnight.
