If you have lost a tooth, or anticipate needing a tooth extraction, then you are likely a good candidate for dental implants to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically secured to the jawbone, providing a steady and stable anchor for artificial replacement teeth. Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard of care for tooth replacement, creating long-lasting, natural-looking, and fully functional restorations.
As you consider getting dental implants, it is only natural to wonder about the total cost. A number of factors affect the total cost of dental implants in Greenville, SC.
What Factors Impact the Total Cost of Dental Implants?
Several factors influence the final cost of dental implants, and treatment costs will vary depending on your unique needs and dental situation.
Dental implant specialists and oral surgeons who are best qualified to perform dental implant surgery and who use superior implant materials and processes may have costs aligned with the higher quality of their implants. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons(OMS) have specialized educational training and experience with the complexities of the bone, gums, skin, muscles, and nerves in the mouth to ensure you get the best possible results.
Some of the other variables are specific to your individual treatment plan. Consider five of the most significant variables that can impact the total cost of getting dental implants:
- The number of tooth replacements and implants you require. Having a single tooth replaced will cost less than having multiple teeth replaced or a full-arch restoration. Also, the configuration of your mouth may determine whether all replacements can be done in one surgery or whether multiple surgeries are needed. The latter scenario is rare, but does come with higher costs.
- The position of the tooth. Both the angle and location of the tooth can impact the cost, as some teeth may require more advanced and complicated dental work to replace.
- The density of your jawbone. If you do not have sufficient jawbone to anchor the implants in place, then you will need to have a bone graft. This surgical procedure helps regenerate bone, making you a more viable candidate for implants, but it can also contribute additional costs.
- The need for extractions. If you have unhealthy teeth that need to come out, you will likely need tooth extractions, which results a slightly higher cost.
- The overall state of your oral health. If you require treatments for periodontal disease or other conditions, that may also cause the cost of treatment to increase.
Dental Implant Investment Considerations
The upfront expense associated with dental implants may seem steep, but often, getting dental implants can save you money over time.
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that maintains your jawbone and dental health. Dental implants fuse to the bone and stimulate the jaw to keep the bone healthy. Without stimulation, you will lose bone over time, which leads to unwanted changes to your facial appearance and additional dental complications with your adjacent remaining teeth. While bone loss is common for people with dentures or a dental bridge, dental implants can help avoid these hassles and added expenses because they prevent jawbone reabsorption.
Additionally, dentures and other tooth replacement options require special glues, pastes, and rinses to keep them clean, and even with the most rigorous standards of care, dentures will need to be replaced every few years. This brings added expenses. Dental implants are designed to last much longer, and with basic brushing and flossing, you can avoid any unnecessary replacement costs.
Why Choose Dental Implants in Greenville, SC?
For most people who need tooth replacement, implants are the best way to fully restore dental form and functionality. Consider a few of the benefits of getting dental implants over other replacement alternatives:
- Dental implants feel, look, and function just like your natural teeth, giving you confidence in your beautiful, healthy smile.
- Once healed, implants will enable you to enjoy all of your favorite foods as normal. You'll have maximum bite strength to chew comfortably.
- Implants are the only form of tooth replacement that stimulates the jawbone, protecting against bone loss and unwanted changes to your facial appearance and profile.
- Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants do not require your healthy adjacent teeth to be shaved or otherwise compromised.
- With proper care, dental implants can potentially last a lifetime, helping you avoid the costs associated with further dental restoration work.
- Dental implants are stable and fixed into your jaw, so you don't need to worry about slipping, sores, adjusting, or removing them.
Dental Implant Financing
Dental insurance will sometimes cover at least part of your implant placements. In addition, your oral surgeon’s office may offer flexible financing options and payment options to help you get the treatment you need. Be sure to ask about financing at your initial consultation.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Dental Implants?
Dental implants require surgical placement, and there are always some risks associated with dental surgeries. Implant placement is a simple procedure that is done with IV sedation or general anesthesia, meaning there is very little physical discomfort involved.
Dental implants also have a high success rate. When placed by a qualified and experienced oral surgeon, implants have a very low risk of side effects. The risk of side effects is further diminished when you receive a high-quality dental implant. Your oral surgeon can tell you more about the quality of implants available to help you make the best decision possible about your treatment alternatives.
What Types of Implants Are Available?
Dental implants fall into two primary categories:
- Endosteal implants are small, screw-like implants that fuse to the jawbone. This is the most common option.
- Zygomatic implants are anchored to the cheekbone, an option for patients who need upper teeth replaced but have insufficient jawbone to keep endosteal implants in place.
Additionally, your oral surgeon should offer various types of implant placement procedures. Some options include:
- Single implant placement can replace a single missing tooth anywhere in the mouth.
- Immediate implants place a dental implant into an empty socket at the same time as a tooth extraction, potentially saving you time and money. For immediate implants, you must have sufficient jaw bone density when your tooth is extracted.
- Full arch restoration replace a full arch of upper or lower teeth or both, using a minimal number of strategically placed implants.
You’re in Good Hands with Our Doctors
At Carolinas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, our oral surgeons and prosthodontists have extensive experience using high-quality implants to ensure long-lasting results. We would love to tell you more about treatment and financing options for dental implants in Greenville, SC and the surrounding areas. Learn more about dental implants and contact us for a consultation appointment at a location near you across South Carolina and North Carolina.
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