What Is the Cost of Dental Implants in Cedar Park, Texas?

For dental patients from throughout the Cedar Park, Texas area and across the US, dental implant technology is quickly becoming the most popular method for replacing one or more missing teeth. There are several reasons why this is true:

  • Implants are a permanent solution – meaning they are non-removable and intended to last for many, many years.
  • Implants don’t require any special cleaning methods – a patient with dental implants simply brushes and flosses as usual.
  • Implants allow patients to eat whatever types of food they’d like – as opposed to other tooth-replacement options (such as dentures and bridges, for example), which make it challenging to eat certain foods.
  • Implants look and feel just like natural teeth – they are created to exactly match the patient’s natural teeth, and they function exactly like the teeth you’re born with.
  • Implants are extremely strong and durable – in fact, if they’re properly cared for, implants can last for the lifetime of the patient!

The benefits of implants are obvious, but many patients are hesitant and worry about the cost of dental implants. In this article, we’ll provide some helpful information about what you can expect to pay for implants. But first, we need to explain what’s involved in getting a new dental implant.

What You Should Know About Dental Implants

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The implant process begins when a dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision in the patient’s gum tissue at the exact location of the missing tooth, and inserts a tiny metal post into the jawbone of the patient. This implant (typically made from titanium) fuses with the bone tissue over a period of several months. After that fusing process is complete, the dentist affixes an artificial tooth to the top of the implant. The result is very much like getting a brand new natural tooth!

The Cost of Dental Implants

The dental implant process is a great example of how far dental technology has progressed over the last several years. Because that technology requires not only specialized equipment, but also a certain level of expertise on the part of the dental professional, it’s fair to say that dental implants are not inexpensive. Recent studies have found that the typical cost of a dental implant, from start to finish, ranges from $3,000 to $4,500 per implant.

Having said that, we need to immediately point out that no two dental patients are alike, and the cost for an implant can vary wildly depending on each patient’s circumstances.
Quoting exact costs is tricky since there are many variables that can impact the cost for the patient. The following list contains some of those:

  • The oral health of the patient – The patient needs to be in good oral health before receiving an implant. That means that other issues – such as gum disease or tooth decay, for example – need to be resolved prior to receiving an implant. While the costs of the procedures necessary to return the patient to good oral health may not be directly related to getting an implant, those expenses are still a consideration for the implant patient.
  • Bone grafting – One of the negative side effects from living with missing teeth is the deterioration of the jawbone. If the patient doesn’t have adequate bone tissue to accommodate an implant, the dentist or oral surgeon may need to perform a bone grafting procedure before the dental implant process can begin.
  • The number of visits and extent of treatment required – The initial procedure to implant the post into the patient’s jawbone is usually pretty straightforward. But how many follow-visits are required, and how much additional treatment may be needed, depends on how the patient heals after the implant is initially inserted. If the gum tissue completely covers the implant while it heals, for example, that would require the dentist or oral surgeon to uncover the implant through a second minor surgical procedure.
  • The number of implants – If the patient will be receiving multiple implants, the cost will be higher since more implant materials will be required.
  • The types of materials used – Although implant posts are typically made from titanium and the crowns affixed to the top are usually made from dental porcelain, there are other materials available (such as ceramic, for example), so the types of materials used can affect the total cost of the implant.
  • The expertise of the dental professional – Generally speaking, the more qualified and experienced the dentist or oral surgeon is, the higher the price will be for the implant procedure.

The Cost of Dental Implants Compared to Other Options

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It should go without saying that you’ll need to choose a dentist and consult with that dentist in order to obtain an exact cost estimate for one or more dental implants. But here’s one thing to keep in mind: While it’s true that the cost of an implant may be relatively expensive at first, the cost of other tooth-replacement options usually ends up being significantly higher since they require repeated adjustments to and/or replacement of the appliance. Dentures are a great example. Although the initial cost of dentures would be much less than dental implants, the denture patient needs to periodically visit the dentist for relining of the dentures, and the appliance itself typically needs to be replaced every 3 to 4 years. When you consider those ongoing expenses combined with the downsides of denture – i.e., that they require special cleaning, slip inside the patient’s mouth, and make eating certain foods difficult – and you can understand why so many patients prefer dental implants.

Beware of Extremely Low Costs of Dental Implants

One note of caution when it comes to choosing an implant provider: you get what you pay for! If you see an advertisement for dental implants at an extremely low price that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It’s extremely important to choose an accredited, professional dental provider with years of experience in fitting patients with quality dental implants.

For more information about implants, and to find out whether these state-of-the-art restorations are right for you, contact a reputable dental provider in Cedar Park, Texas today!

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