Dental implants will positively impact your oral health for life.

Dental implants are rising steadily in popularity, with American dentists placing over 5 million each year according to the American Dental Association. They’re widely regarded to be one of the best tooth replacement options because they look and feel like natural teeth—and they pull their weight by helping to improve and protect your oral health. They restore the appearance and function of your smile while preventing bone loss in your jaw.

When they’re considering implants, however, many patients’ biggest concern is whether the treatment will fit into their budget. To give you a better idea of whether or not implants are a good fit for your budget, we’ve provided a guide to implants—including how you can better afford them and what the treatment can offer you in return.

The cost for dental implants varies.

There are a number of factors that can impact the cost of your implants, including the materials used in the implant and crown, how many implants you’re getting, and the procedures that may be necessary to place the implant. It will add to the overall cost if you need a tooth extraction or bone graft before you can receive the implant itself. Even factors like the area you live in and what different dental offices charge can affect the cost of your implant.

All of these factors make it nearly impossible to give a specific estimate for what your implant will cost without determining at least a few basic details. It’s best to visit Dr. Staley for a consultation; you’ll be able to discuss your treatment goals and which procedures will be necessary in your case to get an accurate estimate for the likely cost of your implant.

Dental insurance doesn’t usually cover implants, but there are other options.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies don’t cover implants because they consider them to be an elective procedure instead of a medically necessary one—but your medical insurance company might. Talk to your medical insurance provider about dental implants. It never hurts to ask.  In most cases, however, you will still have out-of-pocket expenses.

The good news is that you don’t need the money for your treatment up front—there are plenty of options to help you pay for it. Our in-house health savings plan offers members two free professional cleanings, evaluations, and routine radiographs each year, as well as a 15% discount on any dental procedures. This will help lower the cost of your implant significantly. You can also use CareCredit, a credit card that’s designed to help you pay for health care. It accomplishes this by being more than an average credit card, often allowing you to pay zero interest and keep monthly payments small so that they fit your budget. These options will ensure that you can get the treatment you need right away, exactly when you need it—without being buried by a huge bill or worrying about compounding interest.

The value of an implant lasts a lifetime.

Regardless of the final cost of your implants and how you choose to finance it, it’s important to remember that the value of your implant goes so much deeper than surface level. Like other tooth replacement options, implants restore the function and appearance of your teeth, but they also offer a host of unique benefits. Since they’re anchored directly into your jaw just like real teeth, they look and feel more natural than other tooth replacement options. This also allows you to continue eating your favorite foods—like whole apples or corn on the cob—without worrying about your restoration.

As a whole, tooth replacement options work to protect your oral health by filling the gap in your smile, which prevents your teeth from shifting into it; in turn, this makes it easier for you to clean your teeth and lowers your chances of getting tooth decay and gum disease. Implants also fulfill a job that other tooth replacement options simply can’t: they protect your jaw from bone loss. Since bone loss in your jaw can cause your face to take on a “caved-in” appearance over time, implants protect your face shape and help you maintain a strong, healthy jaw for years to come. Even better, your implant will continue to protect your oral health for the rest of your life. You’ll have to undergo a simple procedure to replace the crown on top of your implant every 15 years or so due to wear and tear, but the implant itself will never wear out.

The cost of an implant may seem daunting at first, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce costs and finance the treatment so that you don’t get buried in high monthly payments. In the end, an implant is a life-long investment that you’ll experience benefits from every day for the rest of your life.