Dental implants, as the name suggests, are artificial teeth that replace missing teeth and provide a highly effective means of replacing worn-out natural teeth. Dental implants have become the gold standard for tooth replacement worldwide. In this article, we take stock of how much should dental implants cost in 2021
Recent trends have shown that the price of ceramic dental implants is on the rise. A 5% increase is expected in the average price of dental implants terms. The reason for the increase has been attributed to inflation and the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 which increased the supply cost for most local dental offices. The dental implant cost for 1 tooth is projected to be about $4,000, but if you have dental insurance, there’s the likelihood that you get a reduction on your ceramic dental implants cost.
Unlike previous years, more insurance companies are beginning to offer more dental insurance coverage, and this trend is expected to continue in 2021. Also, most insurance companies can cover at least 50% of your dental implants cost. However, it’s important to check with your insurance provider before commencing with your dental implants therapy before going ahead to see what coverage you have.
Now, let’s take a look at financing options that can help reduce the cost of dental implants
Financing Options to help reduce the cost of your dental Implants
So, your local dental health care provider or oral surgeon can inform you of the options that are available for you. Here are some of the common dental Implants financing options:- Third-Party Financing Option: Third-party financing companies like Lending Club, Green Sky, etc provides financing options that allow you to save money on the cost of your dental Implants but also don’t charge you interest on your dental health care loan for 18 months once your application has been approved. The way these financing companies work is by carrying out a soft credit check before approving you for the loan.
- Pay as you go: This is also another popular alternative that people often use to finance their tooth replacement or dental implants treatment. Since the duration of the dental implanting procedure takes about 8 months, the cost of the dental treatment is then spread across those 8 months.
- Dental Discounts: Also popularly known as an Oral savings plan. This is a discount plan that a patient gets after opting-in to pay an annual fee for dental treatment. The discount is applied to the total of your annual fee and covers any dental health issues you might have. The percentage of the discount is usually around 10% -15%.
Why are dental implants so expensive?
Dental implants can be a great tooth replacement option. If you’ve ever considered getting one, the cost might have been a deal-breaker. They can cost anywhere from $3000 to $4000 for a single tooth, and that’s not counting the costs of getting teeth lined up with the implants or any additional treatment required. Here are few major reasons why dental implants are so expensive:- The cost of a skilled dentist and his team
- The materials used
- Eligibility Assessment
- Extra dental procedures
The cost of a skilled dentist’s time and his team
This is one of the major factors that contribute to the expensive cost of dental implant treatment. The reason for this is because the dental implant procedure is a very complex one and as such requires the services of “skilled experts.” The cost that is paid for your dental implant procedure does not only cover your consulting dentist but also other professionals that will be working with him on the case. Other professionals that will be working with your dentist are; oral surgeons, assistants, and hygienists. They have to work together to ensure the acute placement of the implants along with the dental crown, so it comes out looking good and also working properly.
Materials Used
For a dental implanting procedure, certain key materials are used and they are as follows;
- Dental Crowns that could either be metal, porcelain fused metal, resin-based, or all ceramic
- Implant posts which can either be Titanium dental implant posts or Zirconia dental Implant posts with Titanium implants being the most popular and preferable for both patients and dentists
Eligibility Assessment
To be considered eligible for implants, some examinations have to be carried out to make sure you qualify. These examinations involve x-rays and sometimes CT-scan, all of which contribute to the cost of the implanting procedure.
Additional Procedures
As stated earlier in the material segment, your dental implantation procedure is dependent on certain factors and some of these factors might require carrying out additional procedures before going ahead with your dental implementation treatment. These additional procedures also contribute to the cost.
FAQs
Are dental implants covered by insurance?
Yes, dental implants treatment is covered by most insurance providers but it’s important to make sure to double-check with your insurance provider to see how much coverage you are eligible for under your insurance plan.
How much do single tooth implants cost?
The average cost of a dental implant for a single tooth ranges from $275 to $450, but it is largely dependent on the amount of customization that’s needed. Also, the crown is the most expensive part and can cost between $1,000 to $3,000.
Are dental implants covered by Medicaid?
No, dental implants are not covered by Medicaid, but some Medicaid plans cover just basic dental services.
