According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 120 million people in the United States have no teeth. About 36 million people have at least one missing tooth. There are many reasons why people lose teeth, but the most common cause is tooth decay and gum disease. The traditional methods to replace the missing teeth included a dental bridge, a partial denture, or a complete denture.
A dental bridge is secured using two existing natural teeth on either side of the gap that is ground down. A denture is a custom-made set of fake teeth that are not permanent. A traditional denture is meant to be taken out each night and requires extra care. But with advances in dental technology, patients missing one or more teeth have a more permanent option: dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a cylinder-shaped titanium post. An oral surgeon places this post into the jawbone for a permanent placement. After the post fuses with the surrounding bone, a dentist attaches a dental restoration to the implant(s). Dental implants offer a more durable and secure replacement option compared to bridges and dentures. Implants can also secure a dental bridge or dentures.
Leading Baltimore dentists for restoring smiles, Dr. Doroshenko and Dr. Lazer will always recommend dental implants to their patients. Implants are the most natural solution for patients who are missing teeth. The most significant deciding factor in choosing dental implants is the cost.
The Cost of Dental Implants in Baltimore, MD
When considering implants, you will notice that the total cost is considerably more than other teeth replacement options. The reason for this is that getting implants requires surgery and longer treatment times. The implant process involves months of healing time and multiple visits to our Baltimore, MD, dentist’s office.
This can seem overwhelming for many people who are faced with missing teeth. Many factors add to the total cost of your treatment:
- Location and size of the dental implant
- Number of implants being placed (a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth)
- Need for bone grafting before treatment
- The need for tooth extractions
- Need for other oral health treatments (like gum disease treatment)
- How much of dental insurance will cover dental implant treatment
Because these factors can vary significantly from patient to patient, it is tough to estimate the cost of implants. A single implant-secured dental crown can run up to a few thousand dollars. On the other hand, an implant denture can run up to tens of thousands. This depends on your oral health needs and the type of restoration you recieve.
Before considering implants, we recommend a consultation and thorough examination at our Baltimore dentist office. Afterward, we will do our best to present you with an estimated cost of your implant treatment. Visit our payment and financing page to learn more about these options.
Comparing Dental Implant Cost to Other Options
Now that you know dental implants are not cheap, it’s time to explain why. When we place a dental implant in your bone, it will fuse with that bone and act as a replacement tooth root. This will prevent bone loss in your jaw associated with tooth loss. Compared to other traditional restorations like traditional bridges and removable dentures, dental implants offer:
A Secure Option
Dental implants are the only restorative dental option to replace the tooth root. If you choose a dental bridge or denture, you will most likely suffer from some bone loss over the years. Bone loss can lead to many issues, including looking much older than you are, diet restrictions, and further tooth loss.
Dental bridges and dentures lay on the gums, meaning they do not support the underlying gum and bone. You can experience sore gums, difficulty eating, and facial sagging without the support of dental implants.
Less Maintenance
Despite costing less, dentures and dental bridges may need to be replaced, realigned, or rebased over time. These maintenance and replacement costs will add up and may even exceed the cost of implants. The dental implant procedure will take time but uses high-quality materials and expert techniques for lasting results.
If you need a dental bridge or denture, you can secure your restoration with dental implants. Most implant restorations are fixed, so you do not need to remove your restoration for cleaning. You can brush and floss your restoration as you would your natural teeth. You don’t need to worry about your denture drying out or cleaning your restoration separately. Implant-supported dental restorations stay in the mouth so you can easily clean them.
Better Quality of Life
Also, your quality of life is much higher with teeth implants, and this must be considered when comparing costs. With dentures, you will have about 30-40% normal chewing function. Dental implants will deliver a 100% normal chewing function. With dentures, you risk them slipping around in your mouth or even falling out. Implants secured by dental restorations are permanently attached and have no chance of moving around in your mouth.
Removable dental restorations do not offer the security of dental implants. With dental implants, you don’t need to worry about the embarrassment of your dentures slipping when you eat. If you have an implant bridge, you don’t need to worry about ruining your natural teeth for a dental restoration.
Financing For Dental Implant Treatment
Cosmetic and Advanced Dentistry offers payment plans to help cover the cost of dental implants. We offer interest-free payment plans for restorations up to 24 months if paid within the 24-month promotional period. Our extended pay promotional periods include plans over 24, 36, 48, and 60 months.
We also accept CareCredit, LendingClub, and Proceed Finance. These companies provide loan options to ensure dental implant treatment is within your budget.
Our office will work with you to ensure you are the right candidate for implant treatment. Contact our office to see if dental implants are a viable option for you.
Learn More About Dental Implants