If you’ve ever had a tooth extracted, by accident or by a dentist, then you’ve probably looked into your tooth replacement options, including dental implants.There’s no question that implants are the best long term tooth replacement option, but the cost of the procedure can give some patients sticker shock. Many patients leave the office wondering why something as “simple” as a tooth replacement can cost so much.
What exactly are you paying for when you get an implant First, there’s the implant itself. Dental implants are made of a titanium post that’s screwed into your jaw bone and designed to simulate the form and function of your tooth’s natural roots. Titanium is a strong, lightweight, and long-lasting metal. When you think about something that’s going to be in your mouth for a number of years, strength and durability is key.
The last thing you want is to use a cheap material that won’t last a lifetime and requires replacement.The other part of a dental implant is a porcelain crown that sits on top of the post and resembles your original tooth. Crowns are custom made to fit in with the rest of your teeth. It will match the shape and color of your other teeth so it blends in as seamlessly when you smile.The final dental implant cost that many people overlook is that this is a surgical procedure. Even though it may not be performed in a hospital setting, there is years of training, knowledge, and experience that go into knowing exactly where to place the dental implant.
The dentist must drill into your jaw without hitting any of the major nerves and in a way that ensures that the implant integrates correctly with the jaw bone. This is a carefully planned and precise installation that may patients overlook. An implant that isn’t properly placed can fail to heal with your jaw or, worse case scenario, can result in pain, discomfort, headaches, or even lost feeling in parts of your face.Additional procedures may also be needed in order to install the implant and to make sure it lasts a lifetime.
Some common procedures include extraction of your original tooth and bone grafting.Long-Term Health Risks. Given these costs, it might be tempting to let your missing tooth go and not replace it with a dental implant. Doing this will cost much more over your lifetime.
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