Dental implants are replacement tooth roots composed of titanium alloy. These versatile prosthetics provide functional benefits such as chewing, fluent speech, and an improved natural-looking smile. Effective and long-lasting implant surgery requires professional guidance. A single-tooth implant costs range from $1,000 to $4,000 and may vary based on one’s location and implant type. Read on to learn more about the types of implants and the associated treatment costs.

Need for dental implants
As discussed above, dental implants help restore oral health without damaging healthy teeth. Furthermore, they help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration in the absence of teeth.

One may need a tooth replacement if one:
Has a missing tooth or multiple teeth due to injury, disease, or genetics
Has lost a significant amount of jawbone due to a gum disease
Has ill-fitting dentures

Dental implants may also provide psychological benefits:
A full smile with well-aligned teeth can boost confidence while interacting with others.
It boosts overall well-being and emotional health as one can enjoy a healthy meal plan and lifestyle.

Steps of a dental implant procedure
Extraction of the damaged tooth
Bone grafting (a surgical procedure to repair damaged bone using transplanted bone, usually taking a few months to heal)
Cutting the gums (to expose the bone) and drilling into it
Placing an implant
Osseointegration (a process where the transplanted bone bonds with the implant, which may take several months to ensure a sturdy base for the dental crown)
Abutment placement (fixing a metal base on the implant to keep it in place)
Crown fixing (placing a dental crown on the abutment when the implants become strong enough to chew food)

The root structure of implants is titanium, which is biocompatible with human tissue. The titanium oxide layer helps to protect the implants from bacteria, reducing the risk of implant failure or infection.

Every implant is structure-specific, implying that the placement and architecture of the implant are unique and specific for each patient. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, about 500,000 implants are placed annually in the country.

Types of dental implants
Endosteal implants
Endosteal implants have become a go-to option as an effective means of replacing missing teeth. This innovative approach offers stability and durability by affixing titanium posts inside the jawbone beneath the gums.

Once merged, a custom-made abutment and crown are placed on the implant, allowing one to return to normal activities with a natural-looking appearance and improved function. A single endosteal implant can range from $3,000 to $5,000.

Benefits of endosteal implants
They are less likely to cause irritation or inflammation.
They don’t slip or move around like dentures, as they become a part of the jawbone.
Unlike dentures, they can reduce the jawbone’s resorption or shrinking.

Subperiosteal implants
Subperiosteal implants imply a metal frame secured directly above your jawbone. The metal frame anchors the replacement teeth, which look and function like natural teeth. The implant supports a prosthesis, such as a bridge, which fills the jawline area. Individuals suffering from significant bone loss due to periodontal disease or advanced age choose subperiosteal implants.

Unlike regular implants, subperiosteal implants are less invasive as they don’t require much jawbone material to be removed surgically. The cost of an implant can be approximately $20,000.

Benefits of subperiosteal implants
It offers a more secure, long-term solution than dentures or other implant surgery because the frame sits above the jawbone, right beneath the gum tissue.
Subperiosteal implants are an innovative solution for tooth loss restoration using modern technology.
Subperiosteal implants can replace complete teeth arches, as this surgery uses fewer implants than traditional implant surgery.

Zygomatic implants
The implant is placed in the zygomatic bone, positioned at the cheekbone, and is thicker and denser than the jawbone, providing greater stability.

Once the implant is secure, the dentist places a crown or bridge to replace the missing tooth or teeth. Unlike regular implants, zygomatic implants can also replace multiple missing teeth or multi-root restorations. Generally, one implant can cost anywhere from $3000 to $5000, depending on the case specifics.

Benefits of zygomatic implants
These implants heal quicker than traditional implants.
They do not necessitate bone grafting or sinus augmentation procedures, which can significantly reduce the cost of the implant process.
Due to their placement in the cheekbone, zygomatic implants provide increased support and leverage for larger prostheses than regular implants.

All-on-4 implants
The all-on-4 implant treatment is ideal for replacing all teeth on either jaw. It securely anchors the bridge or denture to four implants without grinding the natural teeth.

The dentist will place the four implants at a specific angle, depending on the size and shape of one’s jawbone. The bridge or denture then uses the four implants to support the new set of teeth. The procedure’s average cost can range between $15,000 and $20,000 per arch.

Benefits of all-on-4 implants
This treatment is faster and more convenient than traditional dentures or bridges, with fewer visits to the dentist.
All-on-4 implants can last for years and require low maintenance, keeping a person’s mouth healthy even as one ages.
The all-on-4 implant system minimizes the risk of gum diseases.

The associated costs of dental implants
The cost of dental implants can vary from patient to patient, depending on several factors like the type of implant, the difficulty of the implant procedure, and whether or not patients will require any adjunctive treatments like crowns.

A single implant may cost between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on the number of implants needed. If one requires more than one implant, the price will be higher. A complete set of implants is about $34,000.

The materials used for the implant may also impact the overall cost. Titanium is the most commonly used material for dental implants and is typically more expensive than its alternatives, ceramics or zirconium.

Before undergoing dental implants treatment, always discuss the best way forward with the dentist. It would be a good idea to get an estimate of the treatment right at the beginning.