Making Dental Implants More Affordable
If you're in need of dental implants, the last thing you want standing between you and a healthy mouth is money. But at $1,500 to $7,500 per single tooth dental implant, cost can be a factor in whether or not a person is able to get the dental implants they want and need. Read on for several tips to help you find the most affordable option for dental implants and begin your journey to a happier, healthier smile.
1. Begin by shopping around. The cost of dental implants varies widely due to many factors: location, supply cost, and laboratory fees, to name a few. You can save anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars by simply making a few phone calls and asking about different offices' fees. Question them bluntly about whether they use the least expensive options available in order to pass savings onto their customers.
A good place to start is by looking at several dentists outside your area, but within a reasonable distance, especially if you live in a city and are near any more rural offices. If you are not open to traveling, consider using the services of a newer dentist who has yet to establish himself or herself. A dentist who is new to the profession is more likely to have lower fees as he or she is working on building a client list.
2. Make a call to your insurance. Many dental insurances still do not pay for dental implants, but the number that do is on the rise. Still more provide at least partial coverage, depending on your treatment. It never hurts to ask, so talk to your dental insurance company to see if they will provide any help or consider adding your treatment to the coverage list.
3. Try to find a dental office that is equipped to handle the entire implant process on site. In many cases, implant patients must travel between different offices for various parts of the procedure, meaning they become subject to each office's fees and billing protocols. An office that houses all the professionals, equipment, and facilities in one location is likely less expensive, not to mention more convenient.
4. Look for a dentist who is qualified to use the All-on-4 procedure. Instead of placing individual implants, this technique allows dentists to replace the entire upper and/or lower rows of teeth. If you are experiencing failing teeth, already wear dentures, or have no teeth, you may be a candidate for the All-on-4 procedure. In some cases, as few as four implants result in an entire mouth of new teeth, and fewer implants mean lower costs for you, as well as faster recovery time.
5. Finally, if the cost of dental implants still seems prohibitive, talk to your dentist about the possibility of using a payment plan or look into breaking treatment up over a longer period of time. The dental implant cost may not drop, but it might make your payments more manageable.
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