Why Are Dental Implants Expensive

Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and improve your smile, but they can also be very expensive.

You may have heard that dental implants are the best option if you want to replace your missing teeth and stop using or supporting your dentures. But what if you’re worried about how much they will cost?

At Ashburton Dental Centre, we offer affordable dental implant procedures at a reasonable price. Our professional team is dedicated to providing high quality treatment with minimal discomfort and maximum results. We also provide financing options so you can afford the treatment without any hassle. Contact us today!

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Western Australia?

The cost of dental implant treatment can vary for several reasons, including the type and complexity of the surgery.

The following are listed below as the average cost of dental implants in Western Australia:

• Single implant (implant, abutment, dental crown) – $3,999
• All-On-4 implant bridge (per jaw) – $19,000
• Implant retained dentures – $12,000.

The price may differ in other areas of Australia as well. It is said that larger cities can be more expensive than rural areas.

Why Are Dental Implants Expensive?

Location

Dental implants range in cost depending on where you live. Procedural costs are higher in larger cities because of the higher cost of living.

For instance, renting an office in cities like Sydney and Melbourne can be more costly than renting the same sized dental clinic in smaller cities or rural areas.

Experience

Dental implants involve precise and careful planning at each step, which requires years of training and experience.

Dental professionals must keep current with the latest technologies, techniques, and materials in order to provide the best quality of care, which can be costly.

The brand of the dental implant

There is a wide difference in cost between the brands of dental implants. In addition, the price of a dental implant differs depending on its design, quality, and longevity.

Top brands, such as Straumann or Nobel Biocare, are supported by years of research and clinical testing and may thus demand a greater price than others. Newer brands, and also so-called off brands, are considerably less expensive.

The cost of dental materials

Australia’s market imports 95% of its dental supplies. Local dental equipment and supplies are estimated to account for 5% of the Australian dental market. Due to the small market size and high production costs, most Australian firms import commodities to supplement their product ranges.

Dental materials vary depending on the level of expertise of the dentist. However, some dentists emphasize quality over cost when treating their patients. For instance, to close an incision, a dentist may charge an extra $20-$30 per surgical site if they employ an oral membrane like Oro-Tape.

Labour

The cost of establishing a dental practice, expense costs, quality material costs, time spent on treatment planning and execution, lease, and salaries for staff all contribute to the overall cost of tooth implants.

Labour costs are one of the most significant factors to clinic expenses, therefore when thinking why dental implants cost so much in Australia, always consider labour costs first.

Are Dental Implants Covered by Health Insurance?

In most cases, dental implants are not covered by insurance in Australia. However, depending on your health insurance, you may still be able to receive some assistance for dental implants. You may discover that most insurance companies will only cover a portion of the treatment’s cost.

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Long-term solution

Other tooth replacement options, such as dental bridges, may only last five to seven years (depending on how well they are maintained). In comparison, dental implants are designed to be a long-term solution to missing teeth since they are implanted in your jawbone. Which means, it can be an excellent investment for your oral health and save you money and time.

Prevent the risk of bone loss (bone atrophy)

The teeth have an important role in maintaining the strength and density of the jawbone.

The extracted tooth or missing teeth will leave a gap in the gum line and this gap, if left unreplaced, may cause other dental problems. You may tend to lose bone mass in your jaw area without the simulation initiated by the tooth. This condition may cause insufficient bone density and teeth misalignment.

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement treatments that also replace jaw bone stimulation (as it functions like a tooth root and supports a prosthetic tooth), thereby preventing bone loss.

It restores your bite force

Since dental implants are fixed into your jaw with a titanium post that replaces the tooth root, they allow you to bite with about the same amount of force as your natural teeth. Other tooth replacement alternatives do not restore nearly as much bite pressure since they sit on top of the gums and are not fixed in place.

Prevent facial collapsing

Your teeth serve to support the structure of your face. When you lose your teeth and delay treatment, it may cause your face to change shape overtime and make you look older. Dental implants support your face in the same way as natural teeth do, preventing it from changing shape.

Preserve your natural teeth while also improving your oral health.

Dental implants do not require the removal or preparation of adjacent teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Since nearby teeth are not reshaped to support the implant, more of your natural teeth are preserved, enhancing your long-term oral health. Single implants also allow for easier access between teeth, which improves dental hygiene.

Natural-looking and comfortable

Dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone to replace a tooth root and support the artificial tooth or crown. During the recovery period, your jawbone grows around the titanium rod, securing it even more. This extra stability makes implants feel so natural that you may forget they’re even there. Unlike implants, other tooth replacement options don’t feel as secure or natural.

This is perhaps the most noticeable difference between implant-supported and traditional dentures. Implants secure your denture, eliminating the discomfort of loose dentures and the necessity for unpleasant denture adhesives. These are some of the reasons why individuals prefer dental implants to dentures.

Dental Implants vs. Bridge or Dentures

Dental implants, bridges, and dentures have the ability to create natural-looking restorations, but they each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Dental implants

Dental implants are usually made of titanium, which is biocompatible and safe for the human body. It is composed of an implant post that functions like a natural tooth root and an abutment that the prosthetic tooth is attached to.

The placement of implants involves several dental appointments and recovery in between to be completed. In addition, the process includes oral surgery, which may have possible risks.

Implants are designed to be permanent options to replace extracted teeth, missing teeth, or even support conventional dentures for stronger stability and to avoid loosening. While the cost of implants can be more expensive than other dental restorations, their advantage of being long-lasting means they are cheaper over time.

Dental bridge

Dental bridges literally replace the space left by missing teeth.

A bridge is composed of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap (known as abutment teeth) and an artificial tooth/teeth in between. Pontics, or false teeth, can be composed of gold, alloys, porcelain, or a mix of these materials.

Since the bridge is supported by natural teeth, bone graft is not necessary for insufficient bone density. In some cases, dental implants can support dental bridges. The disadvantage of reshaping the adjacent teeth is the risk of harming them. The procedure only requires two appointments spread over a couple of weeks.

Dental bridges are less expensive than implants, and the cost may be covered by health insurance.

Dentures

Dentures are artificial devices that are designed to replace missing teeth and are held in place by the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. They are removable, yet there are various denture designs, some of which rely on adhesive, clasping onto teeth or dental implants.

One of the disadvantages of traditional dentures is the frequent adjustment and loosening over time, which can be more expensive and uncomfortable.

When Should You Get a Dental Implant After Tooth Extraction?

A tooth extraction is an invasive procedure. If you want to have dental implants placed after having a tooth extracted, you will likely need to wait at least ten weeks before they can be placed. This period allows the mouth to heal following the tooth extraction surgery.

The time it takes to get an implant after a tooth extraction is determined by a variety of circumstances, including your overall health, tooth position, the presence of infection around the extracted tooth, and the health of the surrounding tissue and bone.

Our dentist will determine whether immediate placement or delayed placement will work best for your case. It is important to consider key factors to avoid implant failures and ensure the effectiveness of the implant treatment.

Who Should You See for Dental Implants?

Many factors are considered in deciding who to consult for dental implant surgery.

General dentist

Some general dentists are beginning to use dental implants to restore missing teeth. General dentists are experts in preventive dental care and simple restorations. As a result, they have minimal experience with oral surgery and are not the best qualified professionals to execute complex dental implant placement.

Periodontist

Periodontists have additional training after graduating from dentistry school to understand how to treat the gums and jawbone. Periodontists often have greater education and clinical knowledge in the area of dentistry than general dentists. This indicates that periodontists are more qualified than regular dentists to perform implants.

Oral surgeons

Oral surgeons are the most qualified dentists to place dental implants. It should be noted that implant insertion is a surgical procedure, and they must be securely attached to the jawbone. This means that visiting a dentist who conducts surgery on a routine basis will keep the patient under the supervision of a caregiver with the highest level of knowledge and expertise.

Final Thoughts

There are different reasons why dental implants are quite expensive in Australia. Such factors are the location of the dental office, the brand of the implant, treatment planning, materials, the expertise of the dentist, and other expenses incurred in running a dental clinic.

The average cost of a single implant in Western Australia is $3,999, while the other types of dental implants may tend to be more costly due to the complexity, position of the tooth, and the number of implants required.

The advantages of dental implants can outweigh the cost of the treatment since they can save you time and money in future repair or replacement costs.

Keep in mind that dental implants need proper care to last for several years, or even a lifetime.

If you need more information about dental implants or other dental procedures, contact Ashburton Dental Centre at (08) 9516-1003. Book your appointment now!

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