Here in the US, saving money is somewhat of a national pastime. Between holiday sales, extreme couponing, and entire stores dedicated to DIY home repairs, if there’s a way to do it for less, someone will try it! But what about when it comes to restoring your smile? With coupons and ads for “discount” dental implants circulating, many patients think these so-called deals are a better value than simply receiving the restorations from a qualified dentist. Here’s why that’s usually not true, and what’s at risk when you try to cut corners on your oral health!
Why “Discount” Dental Implants Are So Inexpensive
Maybe you’ve seen the ads before touting a “Single dental implant for just $799!” or something similar. Not a bad deal, right? Unfortunately, this often turns out to be wrong. That’s because for starters, the coupon is usually only for the implant itself. This price doesn’t include the abutment, crown, surgical procedure, CBCT scan, anesthesia, or any preliminary treatments required to get your mouth healthy enough for treatment. Not only that, but it’s usually a lower quality implant, comes with no guarantees on the work, and may or may not be performed by a skilled dentist. By the time all is said and done, the total cost of your treatment could triple or even quadruple, and that’s still without the backing of a qualified dental team!
What’s the Worst that Could Happen?
Now that you know all the sneaky ways a so-called “discount” dental implant treatment could cost a lot more than advertised, it’s important to understand the dangers of using a poor-quality implant or unskilled dentist.
Inexpensive dental implants often use unknown or discount brand parts, meaning they’re not proven, don’t come with a warranty, and could even be more likely to fail or break. If this happens, you’d need a separate procedure to repair or replace the part, both of which would cost more money, including the procedure to remove the damaged parts, anesthesia, imaging, new parts, another surgery, and of course another recovery period. All in, it could take many months to recover a second time, but only if all goes well. You could even need a bone graft or sinus lift when you didn’t at first, adding even more time to your healing process!
Experience Matters: Choosing the Right Dentist
In addition to the importance of choosing the right dental implants, it is also imperative that you select the right dentist to provide them. A skilled dental professional has not only taken classes in how to surgically attach dental implants, but they should also be experienced in performing the procedure in the real world, and able to identify which patients require preliminary care such as gum disease therapy or a sinus lift or bone graft. While these procedures will add to the cost of your treatment, they are often necessary to ensure the success of your dental implants. Furthermore, if the dentist doesn’t possess the appropriate technology to take accurate images of your jaw, they could place the implant in a less-than-ideal spot, increasing your odds for failure or causing permanent discomfort or damage. Thus, your dentist should not only have the right equipment for the job but know how to use it to improve your odds for treatment success!
You Get What You Pay For: Making the Right Choice
When it comes to restoring your smile with dental implants, you truly do get what you pay for. Yes, these permanent prosthetics do cost a little more than temporary tooth replacement options like dentures and dental bridges, but most patients find that when provided by a skilled dentist using quality materials, they’re well worth the investment!
If you’re considering dental implants, don’t just rush to the cheapest advertised price. Before you put your oral health in the hands of the wrong team, take a moment to consider the qualifications of the dentist, the quality of the parts, and the details of your treatment plan. Then, when you’re ready, schedule a consultation to go over any questions or concerns you might have, and to receive a detailed breakdown of the entire treatment, including the cost and estimated timeline.
Remember, when it comes to restoring your smile with dental implants, you truly do get what you pay for. So, don’t trust just anyone or any parts when it’s time to replace your missing teeth. While it may cost a little more up front, choosing the right dentist and dental implants can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, and it will give you the beautiful, healthy smile you deserve!
About Our Practice
At Seaside Dental of New Smyrna Beach, Dr. Flynn and Dr. Tran proudly provide your entire dental implant treatment in-house, using the latest technology and the highest quality prosthetics. If you’d like to restore your smile for an affordable price, speak to us about your financing options. To schedule a consultation for dental implants, visit our website or call us today at 386-428-1270.