How To Clean All On 4 Dental Implants

Dental Treatment: Cost of Implants and Dentures Compared

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Two popular options for replacing lost or damaged teeth are implants and dentures. While dentures have been in existence for centuries in one form or another, implants only appeared in the latter half of the 20th century.

If you've wondered how the costs of the two stack up compared to each other, it helps to know the strengths and advantages of the two. Beyond comparing just the dentist costs, you will also want to look at how dentures and implants achieve their goals.

Both tooth replacement solutions involve an artificial tooth in one form or another. Where they differ most is in the area of insertion into the patient's jaw and gum-line. Implants require boring into the gum-line and inserting a prosthesis in the jaw to support the artificial teeth. Dentures, on the other hand, are typically non-invasive, requiring the insertion of a temporary prosthesis in the mouth that supports the artificial teeth.

Typical Costs for Dentures

The cost of dentures depends on the number of teeth missing. There are three broad types of dentures, as follows:

Partial dentures - These replace a single missing tooth or small number of teeth. The cost averages $700 to $1500.
Complete conventional dentures - These cost around $1275 to $2750 for a set of upper or lower dentures. They are necessary to replace an entire set of teeth.
Premium dentures - These are high-end, highly customized dentures that closely match the look of your real teeth. The cost is around $2000-$4000 for a set.

Typical Costs for Implants

On an individual tooth basis, the cost for implants tends to be higher than that for dentures. For example, you might find dentists charging around $2000 to $4000 per tooth for implants. In addition, the crown and abutment will add another $1000 to $ $2000 per tooth. While this seems high when you compare it to the cost of single-tooth partial dentures or even a complete set, you must take into account the more involved procedure for implants.

Implants require high fidelity, expensive, material that will not cause irritation inside the body. At the same time, preparing the implant area and inserting the dental implants takes a high degree of skill and can require multiple dentist consultations.

If you need implants for the whole mouth, the cost will be even higher, typically costing in excess of $25,000. To cut down on the cost somewhat, you can opt to have an implant-supported denture instead.

When Are Implants Better

While you might think that dentures are better than implants due to the former's lower costs, nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, in many cases, dentists themselves are first to recommend implants over dentures.

To determine if implants are better for your situation, you will want to consult with your dentist. If in doubt, seek multiple specialist opinions from reputable dentists.

Typically, implants last longer and cause less wear in the surrounding teeth. This makes implants a superior long-term solution in many cases. However, your dentist will be able to recommend the safest solution for you based on your health condition.

What to Do If You Can't Afford Implants

Given the high cost of implants, not everyone can afford them. Even if implants are outside your budget, however, multiple solutions can help you get implants if they are essential for your health situation. You should consider which of the following options may be a fit for your situation:

Insurance - Dental insurance is often the most reliable way of reducing your long term costs for implants and other dental needs.

Discount Plans - Dental discount plans available from reputable companies help reduce the total cost of getting implant treatment. The discount can be as much as 20% to 50% or more of typical implant costs.

Payment Plan With A Dentist - Despite the common perception that you have to pay for dental costs upfront, many dentists are, in fact, sympathetic to the plight of those who cannot afford the full fee. If you can show your dentist a sound payment plan, you might be able to get implant treatment now and pay for it in monthly installments.

Medical Loan - If the other options prove fruitless and you really need implant treatment for your health, you can approach a lender for a medical loan. A medical loan from a community trust or other financial institution can help you get back on your feet. You will then pay back the loan over time.