The Best Smile Investment You Can Make
Once a patient first becomes aware of dental implants as an option to replace their missing teeth, their first question is typically, “But how much do they cost?” Dr. Michael Courter wants all of his Midland, TX patients to have all the information they can before selecting a tooth replacement. If you’re considering getting dental implants to fill the gaps in your grin, keep reading below to learn about the factors affecting the cost and why they’re ultimately the best smile investment you can make.
Types of Dental Implants
The primary factor affecting the cost of dental implants is how many are needed to fully rebuild a patient’s smile. For example, receiving a single implant topped with a dental crown will cost significantly less than getting multiple implants to secure a full denture. Because every patient’s situation is different, there is no “fixed” price of dental implants. The number of implant posts, the type of restoration that will be required, and the location of the implants in the mouth will all influence the final cost (implants toward the front of the mouth tend to cost more because there is less bone in that area, making the procedure more complicated).
What are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?
The dental implant process is completed throughout several appointments over the course of a few months. It begins with a consultation with Dr. Courter, where he’ll determine whether any preliminary procedures, like bone grafting or periodontal therapy, are needed first. Then he’ll surgically place the implants into your jawbone, where they’ll spend the next three to six months integrating with the bone. Lastly, there’s the matter of placing your crown, bridge, or denture. Each step in this process incurs its own unique costs that varies from patient to patient.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
On average, dental implants tend to have a higher price tag than other tooth replacement options, but most of our patients who have received implants will tell you they’re worth every penny. In addition to offering a more natural feel and appearance than conventional bridges and dentures, implants also have the potential to last a lifetime. In fact, most implant patients actually end up saving money in the long term that they would have spent replacing their bridge or denture several times over the years.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
In most cases, dental insurance will not cover the cost of implants, but they may cover other aspects of your treatment, such as your consultation, restoration, or preliminary procedures. Our team will do everything in our power to maximize your benefits and minimize the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket. To help cover the cost of implants, we partner with CareCredit, a third-party company that allows you to finance your dental care at little to no interest. With one of these plans, you can split your payment up into monthly chunks to make it more manageable.
The only way to get a true estimate of what you’ll pay for dental implants is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Courter. He can examine your mouth, take some x-rays, and create an outline for your implant journey, including a cost estimate. From there, you can make an informed decision about how you want to rebuild your smile. Dr. Courter has used dental implants to complete countless patients’ smiles, and he can’t wait to help you do the same!