An injured or diseased tooth can result in complications like rapid bone loss, poor speech, and a change in chewing habits that can cause discomfort. It can be significantly beneficial to a person's health and quality of life to replace a lost tooth with a dental implant.
Whether you have a broken tooth, a missing tooth, or a decayed tooth, dental implants are the ideal solution. Implants are very similar to natural teeth in appearance, feel, and function. Consequently, dental implants don't decay over time or wear down the jawbone. Your smile and your confidence will be restored with this long-lasting, safe solution.
Implants cost more than dentures and partials when it comes to replacing teeth. Although dental implants are more expensive than alternatives, there is a reason for that. In order for dental implants to function effectively, special surgical skills are needed for both their creation and their placement. It takes time, patience, and expertise to create and set up implants.
If you want to improve the appearance of your smile, read our guide on everything you need to know about cosmetic dentistry grants.
What Are Dental Implants?
As a replacement for the tooth's root, a dental implant is made of titanium and looks like a small post. Dental implants are connected to replacement teeth by an abutment, or connector, placed on or embedded in their tops.
A crown completes the dental implant by matching your natural teeth with a custom-fabricated replacement tooth. Discuss the benefits and risks of dental implants with your dentist before deciding whether the procedure is right for you.
What To Consider Before Opting For A Dental Implant
A good candidate for dental implants should have good overall health, as this will determine the time it will take to heal and the duration for which the implant will be intact. Make sure you keep records of the dental implant brand and model used by your dentist.
The long-term success of an implant is lower if the patient smokes during the healing process. While the implant body heals, a temporary abutment is typically placed over the implant during the healing process.
Precautions To Take After The Procedure
Your dental provider will provide you with oral hygiene instructions. Follow them carefully. In order for an implant to last a long time, it is critical that it is cleaned regularly along with the surrounding teeth. Make sure you see your dentist regularly. Talk to your dentist as soon as you feel any looseness or pain in your implant.
Cost Of Getting Dental Implants
Because dental implants require a high level of skill, they are more expensive. Additionally, there is a range of prices for single dental implants between $3,000 and $3,500, and they all depend on the provider.
Still, despite its high costs, dental implants are a great investment because they look great, feel great, and will last for over 20 years.
$399 Dental Implants: Real Or A Scam?
Are $399 dental implants really worth it? The price of dental implants has recently been reported at $399 by some online outlets. Compared to industry average costs, this figure seems outrageous. Is it possible that a dental implant procedure could cost only $399? Do there seem to be any hidden charges? Does this price include the cost of the surgery?
Take a step back and examine the reality if something seems too good to be true. While the offer may seem tempting, you should be cautious about whom you are going to deal with. Creating, placing, and maintaining a dental implant for $399 is not possible at any reputable dental healthcare facility. You are either being scammed or being told a little lie to get more people to sign up for it.
Dental implants are much more expensive when you break down the costs. Tooth removal can cost as much as $75-$250 if a tooth is removed for the purpose of placing an implant. It costs around $300-$800 to perform bone grafting to prepare your jaw for dental implants.
For more information, read our guide on the cost and types of dental bone grafts. On top of these expenses, dentist appointments and dental implant procedures cost even more.
Compared to other tooth replacement options, dental implants cost more. It requires exceptional engineering skills and expertise to perform the operation. Nevertheless, if you consider that your teeth won't need to be replaced again for 20 to 25 years, the price you pay now is worth it.
Why $399 Dental Implants Are Too Good To Be True
It is simply not feasible to use dental implants for $399, even though you may see offers for them. Here are three main reasons why $399 dental implants are not worth it.
Substandard Services
There's a good chance that you will receive substandard implants if you see an exceptionally cheap implant offered. Having an experienced professional install your implants is one of the reasons why the cost of implants is so high. It is likely that you will pay more for your dentist's services if they have more experience.
In addition, you might have to pay additional fees for surgery, the abutment, and the crown, as well if they advertise dental implants for $399. The cost of the implant might not be clear to you until after it is implanted, so you will end up paying more.
Dentists offering very cheap implants might be desperate to earn quick money and are not interested in building long-term relationships with their patients. Quantity vs quality is what they think will earn them money quickly. The worst cases happen when the clinics are relocated to another area once their reputation has been ruined by poor care.
Outsourced dental implants can also result in poor service. Dental implants are sometimes implanted by one dentist, but then the procedure is completed by another dentist. You may end up paying a higher price for your crown if this second dentist takes advantage of your need for a crown.
It's important to note that implant clinics, such as those offering implants for $399, frequently earn commissions for referring patients to private dentists, so there's even more motivation for them to attract clients, place the implant post, and refer you to another dentist for treatment.
Cheaper Material
Typically, dental implants are made from titanium or zirconium, but titanium is often preferred due to its biocompatibility and strength. Having strong implants will allow them to withstand day-to-day pressure, such as chewing food or clenching your jaw.
The body's response to a foreign substance is another important factor. Your tissues will not react negatively to titanium, and your bone will naturally grow around it. Dental implants with defects or made of cheap and substandard materials can make recovery and future dental health more difficult.
Potentially Dangerous
There are a number of things that can go wrong when you get implants for a low price. Buying cheap implants can lead to complications, such as a broken implant or one that doesn't fit properly.
Infections can also occur in the area around your implants, causing chronic pain and peri-implantitis. The gums may become swollen, painful, and bleed due to implant mucositis disease, which is another potential risk.
Your surrounding teeth can also be damaged by poor-quality implants. It is possible for implants to cause a whole array of new problems if they are not positioned correctly. Saving more upfront might seem like a good idea, but it will cost you a lot later in terms of your health and the ongoing fees you'll incur to correct the problems caused by bad implants.
Therefore, if you come across an ad for $399 dental implants, you should stay away from it. This is a scam designed to either entrap you and fleece you later on or entail substandard procedures and materials.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A dental implant scam is a fraudulent scheme where unscrupulous individuals or businesses prey on patients seeking dental implants by providing substandard materials, overcharging, or performing unnecessary procedures, ultimately harming the patient financially or causing physical harm.
Be cautious of providers offering unusually low prices, making unrealistic promises, or using aggressive sales tactics. Verify the dentist's credentials, read reviews, and seek a second opinion from a reputable dental professional before proceeding with any dental implant procedure.
Victims of dental implant scams can face financial losses, ineffective or harmful treatments, long-term dental issues, or even severe infections. It's crucial to choose a trustworthy dental professional to avoid these risks.
Research dental professionals, verify their credentials, and read reviews from previous patients. Get multiple opinions and compare treatment plans, and ensure you fully understand the procedures, costs, and potential risks involved.
If you believe you've been a victim of a dental implant scam, seek immediate help from a reputable dentist to assess and rectify any damage. Report the suspected scam to the appropriate regulatory body or law enforcement agency to prevent further harm to others.
Want to know the cost of one dental implant? Check out our detailed article about it today!
For more information about government grants and private programs that offer financial assistance, check out the rest of Gov-Relation's resources. If you are a senior in need of dental implants, read our blog post on the programs that offer free dental implants for seniors in 2023.