Nowadays, tooth loss is much rarer than it once was. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the number of people with partial or total tooth loss has fallen significantly since the 1970s. That doesn’t mean people still don’t still their teeth.
One option available to 178 million people who are missing at least one tooth is replacing that tooth with a dental implant.
Approximately 2.3 million dental implants are made each year to permanently replace lost teeth. That begs the question, how much do dental implants cost and are you really getting good value for your money when you get them?
Dental implants versus other replacement options
Two of the most common options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth are dental implants and dentures. The big difference between the two is the way they fit in your mouth and how much they cost.
Dentures aren’t permanently attached to your gums or jawbone. They are meant to be removed at night, so that you don’t accidently swallow them. Dentures can replace just one tooth or all of your teeth.
Dental implants also can replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants are permanently fixed in your mouth, held in place by a titanium post. The post is covered by a crown that looks like a natural tooth.
Dentures tend to cost less than implants. A full set of dentures might run about $2,500. A single implant starts at $3,000. If you want to replace multiple teeth, the cost climbs to $11,500. It can reach up to $45,000.
Big picture cost of dental implants
Although you might get sticker shock when you find out how much a dental implant costs, it helps to look at the big picture. While implants cost more upfront than dentures, you are less likely to need to replace them. The success rate of implants is as high as 95 percent.
Meanwhile, dentures tend to wear down over time. They usually need to be replaced every few years, which adds to their total cost. You might pay $2,000 for dentures one year, then need to pay another $2,000 to get a new set in a few years.
Insurance coverage for dental implants
Having dental insurance may lower the upfront cost of getting dental implants. Many insurance companies don’t provide coverage, because they don’t view implants as necessary.
Some insurance companies expect you to get a pretreatment estimate from your dentist before you get the implants. With the estimate in hand, your insurance provider can confirm which services are covered and provide you with a fair idea of what you can expect to pay out of pocket.
Ways to lower the cost of implants
If you don’t have the cash on hand to cover the cost of dental implants and your insurance policy doesn’t cover them, you have a few options for getting the treatment for a reduced cost.
One option is to sign up for a dental discount plan. Discount plans typically charge you an annual or monthly fee. In exchange, you get a certain percentage off the cost of dental treatments, including dental implants.
Another way to get dental implants for a lower than average cost is to visit a dental school. A dental student that is supervised by a professor will place your implants. Since it’s a trainee who’s performing the treatment, the price is usually significantly lower than average.
Using money from a flexible spending account or a health savings account can allow you to pay for your dental implants, using tax-free dollars. While you won’t reduce the cost of the implants themselves, since you are using untaxed dollars, you can save up to 20 percent, depending on your tax bracket.
Conclusion
Dental implants aren’t cheap, but they are usually a one-and-done treatment. It’s up to you to decide if you want to pay a higher price up front for replacement teeth that will last a long time, or pay less now and have to replace your dentures in a few years.
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on January 13, 2015
Traditional Fixed Dental Bridges Singapore
Fixed dental bridges are an option if you have a single tooth or several to replace. According to SingHealth, the initial cost of traditional fixed dental bridges to replace a single tooth varies from $650 to $1,800. Singapore dental patients who choose this option should be aware that dental bridges are not permanent solutions to tooth loss, so there will be additional costs over the long-run. Those costs will include replacement of bridgework every 7 to 10 years on average, which may cost roughly the same amount over again, and in many cases more, since these appliances depend on adjacent natural teeth for support and can make those supporting teeth more prone to damage and decay, leading to a need for more extensive dental work.
Removable Dentures Singapore
Removable dentures can replace a span of missing teeth – a partial denture – or all the teeth in one jaw or both – a full denture. According to the Singapore Ministry of Health, removable dentures can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,500. That will be a recurring cost, since dentures must be replaced every 5 years or so to retain an adequate fit, due to bone loss in the jaw and changes that occur over time in the size and shape of the gum ridge they rest upon. Additionally, denture wearers will incur costs for the specialized cleaning solutions and brushes needed for day-to-day maintenance of their removable dentures.
Dental Implants Singapore
Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, several teeth or a full arch of teeth in one jaw or both. Costs, according to the Singapore Ministry of Health, range from $800 to $6,000 per implant, with total costs depending upon the number and type of implants a patient needs, among other factors. Dental implants can be expected to last an average of 25 years, and with careful oral hygiene and regular dental care, can last a lifetime. Maintenance consists of standard daily brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups and cleanings, just as you would care for natural teeth.
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, Singapore patients need to know which option is best. That depends upon your particular circumstances to some extent, and must be carefully evaluated with the help of your dental care team. However, in terms of costs, while dental implants tend to cost more initially than other options, their longevity and simple, inexpensive daily maintenance often makes them the most cost-effective method of teeth replacement over the long-run.