Dental implants are artificial teeth designed to replace the old, damaged ones to improve oral function and health. It is a great alternative for individuals who don’t prefer dentures or are unable to get bridgework done. While dental implant procedures are expensive and time-consuming, they are popular, especially among seniors, because of the permanency. In this article, we will further explain the benefits, types, and costs of these dental procedures.

Let’s start by understanding what is it and how it works
A dental implant surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires multiple sessions. It starts with the removal of the damaged tooth or teeth, after which the implant is placed. However, if the jawbone is too soft or not sufficiently dense, then bone grafting will have to be done prior to the fitting. This is because the action of chewing can exert a lot of pressure on the bone. So, if it fails to support the implant, the procedure will have to be repeated again. A bone graft will provide a more robust foundation for the implant to stay rooted.

The dentist can use a natural bone graft (taken from another part of your body) or a synthetic one that works as a substitute for the new bone growth to rebuild the jawbone. This transplanted bone can take months to grow.

To place the implant, the surgeon will cut open the gum and expose the bone. They will then make holes into the bone where the metal of the implant will be positioned as a tooth root. Once this process is over, osseointegration will begin, where the jawbone will develop and merge with the surface of the dental implant. Like bone grafting, this process can take months to finish.

After osseointegration is done, there will be another minor surgery to fix the abutment, i.e., the piece on which the crown will be attached. For this, the dentist will reopen the gum to expose the dental implant. After the abutment is placed, the gum tissue around it will be closed.

Finally, when the gums heal again, the dentist will make impressions of the remaining teeth and mouth. The impressions are used for creating the crown, i.e., the artificial tooth. These can be removable or fixed. When the jawbone is strong enough, the crown will be rested over the abutment.

Types of dental implants
The following are two types of dental implants.

• Endosteal – The most common type of implants, these are fixed deep in the jawbone. Shaped like small screws, they are typically made of titanium.
• Subperiosteal – These implants are placed above the jawbone but under the gum. This option is ideal when the patient lacks a healthy natural jawbone and can’t go through a bone grafting process.

Benefits of dental implants

• Improved look – Dental implants appear and feel like your own teeth as they are fused with your jawbone.
• Better speech – Dentures can slip, affecting the speech by causing mumbling or slurring. As dental implants are a permanent part of your mouth, they are more comfortable and enable you to speak without any impediment.
• Simpler to chew – Eating can be a task with slipping dentures. Since implants work like your natural teeth, you can eat whatever you want without any awkwardness or inconvenience.
• Better oral health – Alternatives such as a tooth-supported bridge often impinge on the health of the neighboring teeth. With implants, the support of the nearby teeth is not required, so the long-term oral health remains well-maintained.
• Long-lasting – With proper care, implants can last for several years and even a lifetime.
• Convenience – Dentures can get especially annoying when they have to be removed time and again for cleaning. Moreover, the messy adhesives required to keep them in place don’t help their cause. With dental implants, you don’t have to put up with any such troubles.

Cost of dental implants
The average price of a single dental implant can be approximately $4,800, including the surgical positioning of the implant, abutment, and crown. Full mouth implant types like removable implant-retained dentures can cost around $10,500, whereas the fixed implant-supported dentures will cost $21,500 on an average.

The following is the average cost of related procedures.

• Oral exam – $100
• Panoramic X-ray – $130
• Cone beam CT – $350
• Tooth extraction – $300
• Bone grafting – $650

Dental implants are a big-ticket expense because it involves several sessions of intricate dental work. While they are expensive, the best thing about them is that they are long-lasting.

Does insurance cover the cost of dental implants?
Unfortunately, most insurance companies will not cover dental implants as they are categorized as a cosmetic procedure. On the bright side, many providers now are comprehending the need for dental implants and their health benefits in the long run. So a few providers might be able to offer you some financial respite. We’d suggest you first start by checking your current dental policy, as it might reimburse a part of the procedure along with costs for exams, tests, and extraction. Plus, don’t forget to check the annual limit on your insurance, as the costs of the dental implants might exceed it.

Talk to your dentist to know more about affordable payment options such as dividing the whole costs into multiple installments. They could also help you get in touch with the right financing organizations that could help finance your surgery.

Another way to fund your dental implant costs is by enrolling for a dental discount plan. This option will cost you a yearly fee based on the procedures it covers. You can receive a discount of anywhere between 10% to 60% depending on the provider. Available in most states, the following the best providers for a dental discount plan.

• Aetna Dental Access
• Avia
• Careington 500
• Cigna Dental Network
• CVS iSave
• Dentemax
• iDental United Concordia
• Sele-Dent
• Solstice Plus Plan One
• Spirit Dental

You can also consider participating in a dental implant program at a dentistry school where recently graduated students gain practical experience by performing procedures. There’s nothing to worry about as they are supervised by experienced dental surgeons. Such programs are generally offered to only low-income individuals. In fact, they are so popular that they have waitlists.

There are some dental societies and charitable organizations as well that offer free or discounted dental care. You can find the names of such organizations in the American Dental Association’s online directories.