Why Are Dental Implants So Expensive?
If you’ve lost a tooth and it leaves you embarrassed, then a good solution is a dental implant. This procedure replaces the lost natural tooth and its root. The process to replace a missing tooth is lengthy, taking several months and involves surgery which makes it expensive.
One of the greatest benefits of a dental implant is that it will look and act like a natural tooth in terms of both strength and functionality. The dental implant is anchored into your jaw bone so it gives the tooth maximum secure stability.
Benefits of dental implant surgery
A missing tooth may affect your bite, your ability to talk correctly and the way you eat and drink. Gaps in your smile may also impact your self-esteem. If you have missing teeth the bone in the jaw area may deteriorate over time, causing the face to prematurely age. Permanent implants will combat this bone loss.
Many people prefer the permanency of a dental implant as they are surgically placed in your jawbone. The titanium in the implants, fuses to the jawbone so that they won’t come loose. There is no risk of damage to the bone or neighbouring teeth.
Procedure
At the planning stage, the dentist will need to ensure that you have healthy gums and bone structure to support an implant. If your bones are weak or thin, then you may have to investigate a bone graft.
When the surgery takes place, the implant will be placed into the jaw bone and left to heal and this may take anything from three to six months.
When it becomes integrated into the bone structure, an impression will be made of the mouth and sent to a dental technician. They will build a bespoke replacement tooth to blend in with your others.
Once the tooth is ready, it needs to be fitted onto the implant. Small adjustments may need to be made to ensure you can bite correctly, then it will be secured in place.
Costs
Having a dental implant is expensive because it’s a lengthy procedure. You will need a consultation, so you know what lies ahead.
There is cost involved with components needed for the dental implant itself, and having surgery is not cheap. Added to this you have the expense of the time and effort required to ensure the crown exactly suits your requirements. The skill and expertise of a qualified dentist will also need to be taken into consideration.
A dental implant should last for life, statistics show a 90% success rate over 15 years. However, you’ll need to maintain good oral hygiene – brush your teeth regularly and maintain your dental check-ups.
If you want to know more, book a consultation with one of our team at Dentistry Plus. We have five clinics across Joondalup, Leederville, Maddington, Leeming and Kwinana.
