Although dental implants may be a good treatment option for patients with missing teeth, they are an expensive investment. In this post, the dentists at Ladner Village Dental explain some of the cost factors behind dental implants.
Why Choose Dental Implants
A patient may wish to replace a missing tooth or missing teeth for several reasons. Missing teeth can cause issues with chewing and speaking, and can even contribute to facial collapse due to a gradual loss of bone in the jaw. Missing teeth can also have a negative effect on your self-confidence.
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.
Even though dental implants tend to have a higher price tag than other dental options, they also have longevity. With proper care, dental implants can last 25 years or more.
What are the cost considerations of dental implants?
A dentist's skill and experience, the quality of the material the implants are made of, surgeries, and the custom fabrication process required for implantation are the primary elements reflected in the cost of dental implants.
A dentist or technician fabricates the main parts of your dental implant — the artificial abutment and artificial crown. Since this high-quality material has to stand up to daily use and wear for many years, it is costly. Your new artificial root, abutment, and artificial tooth will function similarly to a natural tooth and will be custom-fit to your smile.
Prior to your surgery, your dentist will perform an examination of your mouth and take X-rays to determine how your implant should be made and attached. The cost of these diagnostic procedures and equipment is factored into the overall cost of your implants.
The Dental Implants Procedure
Usually, dental implant surgery is performed in two stages. The first task your dentist must accomplish is to replace the root of the missing tooth by implanting the artificial tooth root (a small titanium screw) into your gums, which will then be anchored to the jaw bone.
The screw part of the implant functions as the root or stable base. An artificial tooth will later be attached.
As the site where the implant is placed heals, the screw will integrate with the jaw bone, forming a strong permanent base for your artificial tooth (restoration). Following implant surgery, patients typically take between 4 and 6 months to heal. Once complete healing has taken place, the abutment and restoration (artificial tooth) can be added.
This abutment works to connect and secure the restoration to the dental implant, and will typically be constructed from titanium or ceramic material. The restoration is then attached to the abutment.
Additional Treatments
Some patients may require additional treatment at our Delta dental clinic to prepare the mouth and make sure that the implant surgery will prove successful. This often involves several hygiene treatments and potentially a bone graft procedure to prepare the jaw bone for the implant.
Our Delta dentists always aim for patients to get the full value from their investment after every treatment, including dental implants. Ask us which measures we can take to ensure your dental implant will be successful.