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A Worthwhile Investment
There is no doubt that dental implants cost a lot of money. However the long term benefits should make the cost more than worth it.
Most basic dental implants cost around $1000 for one tooth to be replaced. The most complex dental implants cost anything up to around $30,000 for a full set of teeth. Unfortunately, your insurance will be very unlikely to help with dental implant costs, but your dentist may be able to help with a finance plan.
Dental implants are titanium posts inserted into the jawbone which hold a ceramic crown in place, giving the appearance of a real tooth, and without the need to leave them in a glass next to the bed overnight. Once the implant is healed, you have a fully working tooth and nobody will be able to tell the difference between your implant and the real thing.
If your implant is going to be in an area where the underlying bone is good, then the dental implant cost will cover a course of surgery starting with the extraction of the problem tooth, if required, followed by the insertion of the titanium post. Titanium is used because it is known to exist amongst live tissue without causing problems and is extremely unlikely to cause an adverse reaction.
The post is left for 3-6 months while the jawbone fuses to it, a process called osseointegration. Then, an abutment is added to raise the implant above the gum and a cast is made to create the crown to be cemented onto the top of the abutment.
When bone structure is not so good, if it is damaged or in an area naturally limited in bone, such as below the sinus cavities in the upper jaw, bone grafts may be required, adding to the dental implant costs and time taken for the process to be completed.
Some people are suitable for a newer process, where an extraction can be followed directly by the implant of a complete tooth with temporary crown, replaced at a later date once the bone has fused to the post.
Although dental implants cost a lot of time and money, they are a worthwhile investment if you think your current dental problems might require ongoing treatment. Ask your dentist for advice about the options available and dental implant costs compared to other expected treatment.
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