Dental implants are titanium posts inserted into the jawbone and gum where they act as an anchor for artificial teeth or dentures. The procedure is considered to be a preferable alternative to wearing dentures. After a healing time that varies between three and six months, the tooth, called a crown, is fitted to the top of the post.
Costs of this procedure do seem to vary and variations of thousands of dollars are not unusual. There are several important factors that may lead to a variation in the costs of the procedure so you do need to be certain that you fully understand the amount of work that needs to be done in your particular case.
It is worth shopping around to get the best price for this procedure but you need to be certain that everything that will be charged for is included on the quotes you receive. The only way you can properly compare prices is if each quote contains all the possible charges. There will be charges for the actual surgery, including an anesthesiologist, x-rays, medications, the titanium posts and the crowns and several consultation fees.
You may receive quotes that differ greatly, which may leave you wondering why. Of the numerous factors that can affect the cost of dental implants, perhaps the biggest factor lies with the practitioner. Their experience, reputation and location all play a part in determining how much they charge in fees for their services.
Other factors also have an impact on the cost of dental implants. The different types of implant, used for different reasons, have variable costs; a full size one holds a single tooth while a mini one will act as an anchor for a denture or row of teeth. Different manufacturers now produce the titanium posts and they also charge different prices and some brands could save you money.
On the top of the titanium post, an abutment or cap needs to be fitted to hold the new artificial tooth. These may be omitted from the quote, so be sure to ask about this. Sometimes a temporary crown is fitted to the post, purely for cosmetic reasons, so check that this is in the quote. You may find that cheaper brands are available for both these items, enabling you to save some money.
Some people need reconstruction work done on their jawbone or gums before a titanium post can be inserted. Some examples would be if the bone is soft or brittle, or the jawbone is too narrow to accommodate the post.
The remaining teeth might be crowded or there may be signs of gum disease when you are examined. These factors need to be dealt with before the surgery can be done and will add to the total costs involved in the whole procedure.
Some medical insurance policies don’t cover dental implants Toronto so you might like to ask about payment options and time payment plans that may be available with each practitioner. Because of the high cost of the procedure, many dentists do offer some type of payment plan. Dental colleges have students who need to learn how to perform various procedures and usually offer services at a reduced rate. While a student would do the work, full supervision is given by a qualified dentist.
Dr. Eric Rouah & Associates 5000 Yonge Street, Suite 107, Toronto, ON M2N 7J8 (416) 224-0677 a Toronto cosmetic dentist providing you with the most advanced cosmetic and general dentistry procedures such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers Toronto and dental implants.