Dental Implants
Cheap Dental Implants
"Cheap Dental Implants" - unfortunately, there is no such thing.
Very often the procedure is not even covered by the medical insurance.
In many cases even private insurances may not cover dental implants fully.
Yes, there are suspicious clinics which offer cheap dental implants or even free dental implants.
However, an average dental implant may cost anything between $3500-$5000 per tooth in Australia.
Therefore, do not think that Santa Claus picked-up on dental surgery to offer this procedure as a gift.
Although, it is not easy to get the best price, you can do a research to get the best dental implant dentist.
You can ask opinion of previous patients or even get the portfolio of the dental surgeon you want to use.
At the end it is about your health and the appearance - so get the facts, opinions and finances before going into this procedure.
Cosmetic Dental Implants Explained
Dental implant is an artificial tooth root, which forms foundation for a tooth restoration.
All cosmetic dental implants today look similar to an actual tooth root.
The medical or dental term for dental implants is: root-form or endosseous implants.
This means that this artificial structures resemble root-form and are placed within the bone of the tooth.
Dental implants support a number of dental prosthesis:
- crowns,
- bridges
- dentures.
A typical dental implant consists of a titanium screw with a rough or smooth surface.
For those who like history - it was Mayans who are first recorded to use endosseous implants 1350 years ago.
However, the modern procedure which uses titanium has been practiced since 1965.
Cosmetic Dental Implants Planning
Today, the cosmetic dental implants undergo strict surgical planning. There are number of steps in cosmetic dental implants planning procedure:
- Two-dimensional radiographs (orthopantomographs) and CT scans are often taken prior the surgery.
- 3D CAD/CAM programs can further help to design the dental procedure.
- Next, the dental implant dentist places a surgical stent (basically acrylic wafer) in the location where dental implant is to be inserted.
- The surgical stent provides a 3D information about the angle and the position of the teeth in the vicinity of the procedure.
Basic Procedure of Cosmetic Dental Implants
There are number of steps in cosmetic dental implants procedure:
- First, dental implant dentist uses precision drills to prepare the bone. The process is regulated to avoid pressure necrosis of the bone.
- Next, the dentist implants (or places the osseointegrated implant) into the recipient bone.
- Finally, the surgeon monitors the growth of the bone on the implant (3-6 months)
Does it hurt? Actually, tooth implants are done under a local anesthesia and it is not painful. In fact there is less discomfort with tooth implants' procedure then in the case of tooth being extracted.
Cheap Dental Implants Versus The Dental Implants Cost
Here you have to be carefull. You should not compare the dental implant prices but rather what these prices offer. The dental implant price should cover:
- Dental implant dentist consultation
- Scans and stent modelling
- Cosmetic dental implants procedure
- Laboratory
However, the dental implants cost may actually refer to all the additional post-procedure visits and monitoring of bone growth on the dental implant.
So, in fact the dental implants cost is an ongoing payment while the price is just for the procedure.
Thus, more expensive price may in fact cost less in the longer run.
You must understand that it is difficult to establish if a cheap dental implant is a value for money.
There are different patients needs, different dentist implants' brands, consultation fees and laboratory costs.
A tooth implant in Australia can cost between $3500-$5000.
In cases, where tooth loss has been more serious, fees can be $5000 and more for the replacement.
In majority of cases the medical insurance will cover 60% of the dental implant cost.
Medibank rebates only $200 of the dental implant cost.
You can claim a tax rebate of 20% for the dental implant cost over $1250.
Thus - with the rebates - the local (not so cheap dental implants) may in fact be cheaper then the inexpensive overseas dental implant prices.
Good dental implants, including denture implants can be inserted the same day for even better price.
Some dental implant surgeons can charge only $8000-$10000 for 3 implants (including consultation and stents).
Denture Implants
Implant-supported denture is a type of over-denture which is attached to implants.
This is a more sophisticated method, which removes the need for denture to rest on gums.
Generally, denture implants are used for people who have no teeth but have enough bone in the jaw to support dental implants.
Usually, the dental implant dentist implants this structure for the lower jaw.
However, you can get the denture implant in either the lower or the upper jaw.