Dental implants are a wonderful investment in your oral health, but the costs can add up. According to the American Dental Association, the cost of an implant in Virginia is between $3,000 and $4,500, and the difference in cost depends on several factors, as we’ll discuss below.
Even so, because dental implants contribute to better oral health and can last a lifetime with proper care, most patients agree they are an excellent long-term investment. Let’s look at what they are, their benefits, and the cost of dental implants in Fredericksburg, VA.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants mimic your natural tooth, making them the best option to replace a missing tooth. The secret behind their success is that they replace the tooth and its root. Your new “root” is made of titanium, which is surgically placed into your bone and easily integrates over time. This creates a secure foundation for your new “tooth,” which is a high-quality porcelain crown.
Your crown is custom designed to match the shape and shade of your teeth and blend well with your smile. The best news is that no one will ever notice you were missing a tooth!
The implant tooth acts just like your natural tooth, so you can eat, brush and floss as usual. Best of all, a tooth implant can potentially last a lifetime with proper dental care.
What is a dental implant made of?
Dental implants are commonly made of biocompatible materials like titanium or zirconium. Titanium is a popular choice due to its strength and durability, which allows the implants to properly fuse with the jawbone. On the other hand, zirconium is sometimes preferred for its natural white color that can seamlessly blend in with surrounding natural teeth. The material used for dental implants can influence the cost of the procedure. Titanium implants, being a strong and reliable option, may be the preferred choice.
Why Dental Implants Are the Best Tooth Replacement
When a tooth is missing, the absence of the root causes your jawbone to shrink and deteriorate. Shrinking bone not only changes the appearance of your face, but also puts your remaining healthy teeth in jeopardy. Without a replacement, you’re likely to lose more teeth over time.
Over time, remaining teeth start to tilt and move into the gap in your smile, putting those teeth at greater risk for developing gum disease and fractures due to excess chewing forces. Tooth movement can also lead to a misaligned dental bite and contribute to TMJ disorder and pain.
Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant protects the integrity of the jawbone and the health of the remaining teeth. No other option for tooth replacement can offer these benefits.
What are the preliminary steps that may be required before undergoing a dental implant procedure?
Before undergoing a dental implant procedure, several preliminary steps may be necessary to ensure a successful outcome. Some of these preliminary steps include assessing the density of the jawbone to determine if it is strong enough to support the implants. If the jawbone is found to have low density, additional procedures such as a sinus lift or bone graft may be required to strengthen the bone. These supplementary procedures are essential to enhance the chances of success for the dental implant treatment, albeit potentially increasing the overall cost involved.
The Cost of Dental Implants: Crunching the Numbers
It is impossible to say what the total cost of dental implants will be in any particular case. The number of teeth that need to be replaced, the restorations involved, and whether or not any other procedures like tooth extraction are involved all impact the final implant cost.
That said, the basic cost of a single implant is between $1,500 and $2,000. Since this is just the cost of the implant itself, other components needed to complete implant placement should also be considered.
Be sure to speak with your dentist in Fredericksburg about how these factors affect implant cost, so you know exactly what to expect.
- An abutment piece connects the implant post to the tooth restoration and isn’t always included in the cost of the implant.
- The tooth restoration that is needed depends on how many teeth need to be replaced. Single tooth replacement requires restoration with a dental crown, while multiple teeth involve a bridge or implant dentures.
- Implant surgery requires precise planning and the use of sophisticated imaging technology. While basic x-rays may be included, these high-tech scans may not be, so be sure to ask your dentist.
- Your dentist may need to perform other procedures, such as tooth extraction, to prepare your mouth for dental implants. Also, if you want an implant but don’t have sufficient bone in your jaw, it would be necessary to perform bone grafting first.
Another crucial factor to consider is the expertise and training of the dentist or specialist who is performing your implant procedure. Many dentists place implants, but the level of care they can provide varies widely.
When all is said and done, the total cost to place and restore a dental implant in Fredericksburg, VA ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.
Implants vs. Dental Bridges or Dentures
The only similarity between implants and bridges, partials, and dentures is that they all replace missing teeth. Implants are the only tooth replacement that relies on the stability of the jawbone to create an artificial yet lifelike version of a real tooth.
There’s nothing wrong with bridges and dentures, and they are still an excellent choice for many people. However, while they seem like a better deal than implants because of their low upfront costs, these prosthetics need to be replaced periodically.
For example, a dental bridge needs to be replaced every 5–7 years, according to the American Dental Association. Once your implant tooth has been restored, it can give you decades or even a lifetime of use.
Dental Insurance for Implants
Dental insurance may cover some or all of the cost of implants. Most insurance plans should cover tooth extractions and the cost of the tooth restoration, which is the part of the implant you see when you smile.
Your dental office may be able to help you find this information, but it’s always best to start with your insurance company for answers about your benefits.
Financing options may be also available from your dentist through third party financing companies.
Are You Considering Dental Implants near Fredericksburg, VA?
At Blue Bird Dentistry, Dr. Mohammed Elnahass, DDS is an experienced dentist who places and restores dental implants in Fredericksburg. If you have questions about the process or want to know if you are a good implant candidate, please call us at (540) 373-1641 to schedule a convenient appointment.
Related Our Services: Dental Implants