The main purpose of preventive dentistry is to help patients keep all their natural teeth for their entire lives and maintain a beautiful smile. Daily oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist will prevent patients from losing their teeth. Unfortunately, some people will lose a tooth or multiple teeth for several reasons, including lack of dental health or trauma.
Whatever the reason, replacing that missing tooth or teeth is imperative because of the effect it will have on the patient’s life. Missing teeth can affect the quality of life, impacting speech, dietary habits, self-esteem, and social interactions.
There are several options a patient has to replace missing teeth. Dr. Brent Blaylock, a dentist in Durham NC, will always recommend dental implants as the best tooth-replacement option when possible. Implants offer a permanent solution for tooth loss and often require no future maintenance costs like other dental restorations like dentures.
The initial cost of surgically implanted artificial teeth is much higher than that of other options. Teeth implants are a long-term investment in your overall well-being and oral health and will prevent the need for further advanced dental care.
If missing teeth are not replaced, they will have a domino effect on your oral health, slowly leading to changes that affect the health of the gums, teeth, and bite fit. Treating those ailments will most likely surpass the total cost of the dental implant procedure.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
The total cost of dental implants varies greatly, from surgical implantation to restoration attachment, depending on several key factors. In some cases, additional procedures will be needed to restore oral health. The tooth must be extracted if you have a severely infected or damaged tooth that other procedures cannot save.
Bone grafting may also be required for patients who lack sufficient jaw bone. These additional steps will increase the cost of the procedure. The size and location of the implants will also affect the total overall cost. Multiple dental implants will cost more than a single tooth implant. The cost will also increase if a patient requires a temporary crown, bridge, or denture.
Dr. Blaylock will begin the process with a thorough examination and discussion of your treatment options, ensuring you are a dental implant candidate. He will then create a personalized treatment plan for your new dental implant and coordinate with a local oral surgeon to implant the titanium post.
With this plan, he can give you a rough estimate of the entire dental implant process. Since no two patients will have the same issues, it’s impossible to estimate until Dr. Blaylock has examined you and created a step-by-step treatment plan. According to the American Academy of Dental Implants, a single implant costs about $2,000.
Dental Insurance and Payment Options
Each patient’s dental insurance is unique; coverage will vary depending on the plan. We accept most major dental insurance plans and will electronically submit treatment claims to your insurance company on your behalf.
A typical dental plan does not typically cover the cost of dental implants. However, it may partially cover the additional procedures and dental restorations, like the dental crown. We will work with our patients to ensure they understand the cost of their dental implants and what their dental benefits may cover.
If you have specific questions about your dental insurance coverage, please contact our office, and we will be happy to assist you. We also offer third-party financing through CareCredit for qualified patients. For your convenience, we offer a range of payment options in our Durham dentist office:
- Cash, check, and all major credit cards
- Phased treatment plans
- Health Savings Account or Flex Spending Account
- Complimentary filing of dental insurance benefits