If you have currently lost most or all of your teeth, you may be considering dental implants or dentures. While dentures may be covered by your dental insurance or Medicare plan, dental implants typically are not. If you have no dental insurance of any kind, then you are probably looking at the overall cost and health or medical implications of dentures versus implants. Here is the true cost of false teeth, and why you may prefer one type over the other.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are, by far, the most expensive form of cosmetic dentistry next to braces. In some parts of the country, dental implants exceed the cost of braces, which is very sobering indeed. Varied sources report that one singular tooth replacement with a dental implant can cost between $1,200 to $3,000. If you have your entire mouth done (instead of opting for dentures), you may be looking at $30,000 to $50,000. That is one expensive set of chompers!
On the flip side, dental implants require no extra adhesives, special toothpastes, special brushes or special oxydizing cleaners, so you are never spending extra money on these types of dental products. They last for twenty-five years or more, which, depending on how old you are when you get the implants, means that they could outlast you. Younger patients (those under age fifty) may need to replace a few implants from time to time or "trade up" for newer implant technology as it becomes available in the future.
Dentures
Dentures, on the other hand, cost significantly less, usually about $500 to $1500 to start. They are more costly to clean and care for in the long run. Many dentists suggest that you have a new set made every ten to fifteen years because your gums and jaw structure will change shape over time. Dentures also have a tendency to crack or break, especially if you opt for the cheaper ones, which means you may be buying a new set of false teeth more frequently than you would like.
Despite their ongoing expense, dentures may still be the cheaper option, especially if you can get dental insurance that will backpay your bills by a couple of months or help you finance your dentures. By financing your dentures, you can wait until an insurance plan kicks in or you can have your dentures paid off much, much sooner than a financed set of dental implants, which may eventually cost you as much as a second mortgage.
Contact a local dentist office, such as Dansville Family Dental Care, for advice regarding your specific situation.
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