There are three established ways to replace one or more missing teeth; dentures, either partial or full, a bridge or dental implants. Of the three, dental implants are the most expensive. There are two primary reasons why the cost of implants is so high; firstly the treatment is very time consuming, far more appointments are needed than to fix a bridge. A lot of the time that the dentist takes is dedicated to planning and trying to foresee any problems and their solutions. The second reason why dental implants are expensive is the material that is used and the time taken in the dental lab to produce the implant. For many it may be difficult paying for dental implants; are they worth it?
Dental implants are far stronger than the other available solutions and they will last far longer, in most cases they last for a lifetime.
Although a fixed bridge is cheaper at the outset it has some serious downside. The teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing teeth must be ground down; this in itself is problematic as the teeth are weakened. Traditionally a bridge will last no more than 15 years, and then it must be replaced at another cost. Even though implants may cost more, over a 30 year period there is little doubt that they are the least expensive option.
If you lose a tooth unexpectedly, especially a tooth that is visible when you smile, it can be hard to decide what to do. It may be that the final decision will be a dental implant but there is actually no rush to make the decision. Your dentist can prepare a small partial plate that can fill the gap temporally until you decide if paying the price of a dental implant is worth it.
If you decide to get to get dental implants your dentist will do a considerable amount of work in advance of actually implanting the new “tooth root.” In some cases a patient may not have sufficient bone to support the implant, if this is the case there will be additional expense as the dentist will have to make a bone graft.
When you are faced with paying for dental implants and you ask yourself if they are worth it consider the benefits. Implants are very strong, implants will not decay and there is no need to grinding down adjacent teeth as is necessary with a fixed bridge. The only real disadvantage is the initial cost but this will pay for itself over time.
The answer to the question “paying for dental implants; are they worth it” is in most cases a resounding yes. Implants have more advantages than disadvantages. If you wish to discuss dental implants in more detail you are invited to contact Hills Dental care.
