Nowadays, implant dentures stand out as the treatment of choice for people requiring full mouth teeth replacement. The superior benefits offered by this innovative treatment compel patients to choose it over traditional teeth replacement methods. However, the relatively high upfront cost of implant dentures becomes a barrier between patients and their decision to opt for the treatment. Patients don’t realize that this apparently high cost of implant dentures is an amalgamation of several financial factors involved in the treatment and that the treatment’s final cost is justified when evaluated against its long-term benefits. This means that the treatment is actually cost-effective rather than being unreasonably expensive.
In this blog, therefore, we’ll break down the cost of implant dentures so patients may understand why the treatment is priced the way it is.
What Are Implant Dentures?
Let’s build up our foundational understanding of implant dentures before diving into the factors influencing their cost.
Implant dentures, also called implant supported dentures, are an innovative approach to teeth replacement where a prosthetic device (known as a denture) is fixed to the edentulous patient’s jawbone using dental implants (metal posts). These implants play exactly the same role as natural tooth roots, providing a strong and durable foundation for the anchoring of the teeth (denture, in this case) to the jawbone.
The secure fixture of a denture to the patient’s jawbone gives them new artificial teeth that are highly stable, durable, natural-looking and natural-feeling – all at the same time.
However, the benefits of implant-supported dentures extend far beyond just functionality and aesthetics. Unlike traditional dentures, which merely rest on the patient’s gums and don’t interact with the jawbone, the implants in implant dentures actually interact with the jawbone and thus help maintain jawbone density. This avoids the jawbone loss and associated consequences (such as a sunken facial profile) that come with the long-term use of traditional dentures.
Types Of Implant Dentures
There are different types of implant dentures. Understanding these types is necessary for developing our insights into the cost of the treatment (since the chosen type of denture significantly impacts the overall treatment cost, as we’ll see later).
The two major types of implant dentures are described as follows:
- Fixed Implant Dentures – also known as permanent dentures, these are permanently ”fixed” to the jawbone by means of implants and hence are irremovable. They can only be removed by a dentist.
- Removable Implant Overdentures – also known as snap-on-dentures, these dentures ”snap” onto the implants by means of fixtures carved on the implants and can be easily removed for cleaning and adjustment.
Factors That Influence The Cost Of Implant Dentures
The upfront cost of implant dentures (which a lot of patients wrongly perceive as unreasonably high) is basically a totaled version of the cost of several aspects/factors involved in the treatment. Understanding these factors is essential for understanding that the treatment is fairly priced, and there’s so much more involved in the final cost than what meets the eye.
The following is a neat breakdown of all these contributing factors to the cost of implant-supported dentures:
Number Of Implants Used
The number of dental implants used in the implant denture procedure is one of the main factors that determines its cost. Usually, this treatment requires anywhere from 4-6 dental implants. However, the number may exceed 8 in some cases. The exact number of implants used in each case will ultimately be decided by the dentist, and it will be based on the patient’s jawbone quality, the type of denture chosen, and the specific dental needs of the patient. Typically, more implants will incur higher treatment costs due to increased unit cost, increased surgical time, and increased complexity of the procedure.
Type Of Denture
As we’ve already discussed, the type of denture will also impact your treatment cost. Fixed implant dentures are generally more expensive due to their long-term benefits and durability. Snap-on-dentures, on the other hand, tend to be less expensive considering their less complicated placement procedure (as they typically require fewer implants than fixed dentures), and also because of their relatively decreased functionality and durability.
Materials Used + Lab Charges
The implants and the dentures are the only structural and functional units involved in the implant denture treatment and also the most important. The materials of both of these units, therefore, are of significant importance in the treatment’s success and, therefore, also impact the treatment cost. High-quality materials (such as titanium for implants and zirconia for dentures) tend to make the procedure more expensive, but they offer superior benefits as compared to low-quality materials.
Also, the laboratories that create custom-made dentures may also charge separately for their services based on the material of the dentures and the level of customization required.
Pre-surgery Diagnostic Procedures
Implant surgery is preceded by certain diagnostic procedures. These procedures are essential for determining the patient’s candidacy for the treatment, and for the subsequent planning of implant placement. To make these procedures as precise as possible, dentists employ advanced diagnostic tools such as x-rays, CT scans and 3D imaging. The cost of using these tools will add up to the treatment cost.
Surgical Complexity And Dentist’s Expertise
The complexity of the implant surgery and the required expertise of the dental surgeon (to successfully carry out the complex surgery) also contribute to the cost. Some patients’ cases are complex as they require additional treatments (like sinus lifts and bone grafts) to make them suitable for implant surgery. These additional steps will increase the overall cost of the treatment. Also, the surgeons who tackle such complex cases may charge extra for their higher expertise. However, the surgeon’s fee will generally vary according to the geographical location of their dental practice.
Post-operative Care
The final cost of implant dentures is also inclusive of the post-operative care and follow-up visit costs. These visits are essential for your treatment success, as they allow the dentist to monitor your implant healing progress and make any necessary adjustments to the dentures. Some patients (especially those with pre-existing health conditions) may need more of these visits for proper and timely evaluation of their implant healing, thereby increasing the cost of the treatment.
Conclusion
The cost of implant dentures is influenced by several factors, including the number of implants used, the dentist’s expertise, the materials used, the complexity of the procedure, etc. Most of these factors are overlooked by patients while they evaluate this treatment’ cost, causing patients to wrongly perceive the treatment to be expensive.
For more details about the implant dentures treatment and for possible financing options, feel free to book a consultation with Tampa Implant Clinic, located in Tampa, Florida. We have expert implant surgeons on board who will answer your every query in detail, paving your way to a beautiful and healthy smile.
