Dental Implant Cost & Factors
The cost of dental implant treatment is based on a number of factors.
The number of missing teeth to replace, the location of the teeth and the type of restoration are a few of the factors that decide cost. The health of mouth gums and supporting bone structure are also significant. If a patient has insufficient bone structure to secure the implant a bone augmentation might be required.
The only way to accurately estimate the price for an individual patient is to book a consultation with an expert. The total fee is usually comparable to other methods of tooth replacement; however, long-term, implant treatment is generally more cost effective than alternatives, such as bridges, partials, and dentures that require periodic adjustment and replacement.
The number of team members on the surgical crew will affect the cost of a dental implant.
Anesthesiologist, surgical assistants and lab specialists all have to be paid so the more extensive the team, the higher the cost.
An Implant surgeons expertise and experience will affect the cost of an implant.
A surgeons experience, prominence, and record of success will affect the cost. As with any expert, the most highly skilled and reliable doctors charge higher fees.
The amount of time that has passed following a tooth loss will affect the cost of a dental implant.
Teeth lost years earlier have likely produced bone loss degrading the jaw bone so that regenerative pre-treatments might be necessary. Before dental implant surgery can commence bone grafting or a sinus lift may be required to restore the root's anchor bone thickness and density enough to support a dental implant.
The implant material will affect the cost of a dental implant.
The biocompatible materials used to build dental implants are exotic and expensive materials like titanium and tantalum that are prepared in varying degrees of porousness. The more porous materials are quicker to integrate with bone but are also more costly to manufacture.
The position of the teeth to replace will affect the cost of an implant.
Back teeth are hidden from view and have more room for the implant root making molars simpler to implant than front teeth. Visible front teeth have the additional esthetic requirement to look natural, and this requires more artistic skill and lab time. There is also less space for front teeth making the surgery more difficult.