If you are missing numerous teeth and are tired of the way this looks and the problems missing teeth cause, you should consider looking into dental implants. Dental implants are one of the best ways to replace missing teeth. They are durable, and they look, feel, and work just like regular teeth. The downside to implants can be the cost; however, there are options when it comes to paying for dental implants. To find out if you can afford dental implants, you will need to begin by getting a quote from a dentist. After that, you can look for ways to reduce the costs, so you can afford to pay to have your missing teeth replaced.
Ask For A Quote
The first step in finding out if you can afford dental implants is asking for a quote. You will need to schedule an appointment with a dentist that specializes in dental implants in order for you to find out what the total costs will be, and you may want to get a second opinion just to see if there is a significant difference in the costs.
To determine the costs for the implants you will need, the dentist will need to carefully examine your mouth, and they may need to take x-rays. From there, the costs will be determined based on the number of implants you will need, the location of the implants, and additional work needed for the implants.
The average cost for a dental implant is around $4,250. This is an expensive amount, but this is based on an implant that requires an implant, abutment, and crown. There is a chance you may not need all three parts for each tooth you need to replace. This cost also does not take insurance or dental plans into consideration.
Find Out If Bridge-Supported Implants Will Work
It is possible that you may be able to reduce the total costs by having the dentist use bridge-supported implants. A normal implant contains the three parts listed above, whereas a bridge-supported implant does not need all three parts. A bridge-supported implant can be used in situations where several teeth in a row are missing. For example, if you have three open gaps in a row that do not have teeth, the dentist might place implants on the two teeth located on the outside, but he or she could use a bridge-supported implant for the middle tooth.
A bridge-supported implant will not contain the actual implant (which is the part that is placed in the jawbone), and it will not contain the abutment (which is the part that connects the implant to the crown). Instead, this type of implant will only contain a crown, which will be connected to the two implants on each side.
Look Into Your Insurance, Dental Plan, and Financing Options
After you know exactly what work is needed, the dentist you visit will look into your dental insurance plan to find out what it covers. Some dental insurance companies do not provide coverage for implants; however, some may. If yours does not or if you do not have dental insurance, you could look into a dental plan. A dental plan is similar to dental insurance, and many of these plans do cover some of the costs of dental implants.
In addition, your dentist might offer free or low-cost financing options for work like this. If not, you might be able to find a credit card that offers zero-percent financing for a certain length of time. If you can locate a card like this, you could make monthly payments for the services, and this might help you afford to get the implants you need.
If you would like to find out how much it would cost for you to replace your missing teeth with dental implants, contact a dental office like Gordon Dental that specializes in tooth replacement services.