You may have seen ads for dental implants as low as $365 and heard of dentists charging up to $10,000 for an implant. Why the discrepancy?
First, understand why implants are getting so much attention and hype recently. Historically, when people lost their teeth, options were limited if you wanted to keep from hiding your smile. You could get dentures, partials or bridges.
Implants offer a whole new option to bring a confident smile back to your face. The hype is deserved.
What are dental implants?
An implant is a titanium screw inserted into your jaw where you don’t have a tooth. A tooth can be screwed onto the implant or attached with glue.
Understand, a dental implant is a surgical procedure.
As with any surgery, you want to consider all your options and make sure you are in the best care.
Is a $365 dental implant too good to be true?
When you see dentists advertising implants for only $365, you can be sure of one thing; the dentist is competing on cost.
Here are the three things you can be sure of with low price implants.
1. Low Price means high volume.
To make a profit from offering implant surgery for such a low price, a dentist must make up for it in volume.
In most cases, what else comes to mind when you think of a low price high volume scenario? Poor service, Inferior quality, and an “in-the-door and right back out” mentality.
Wouldn’t you want better for your mouth?
2. Low Price means quick surgery
When a dentist relies on volume of dental procedures to make a profit, the implant procedure is done as quickly as possible. Quick surgery means not enough time and care is spent diagnosing and analyzing the patient's jaw and implant site.
Quick surgery and not enough care to the implant area will often lead to unnecessary discomfort for the patient.
3. Low Price means compromise on brand
When you see a low price, you can also be sure the dentist is using an unknown brand of implant. An unknown brand may not be a concern for you today, but if an issue arises down the road, you want to be sure the company will still be around.
Imagine buying an Oldsmobile station wagon and needing engine service for it later this year. Never heard of an Oldsmobile? No wonder. Oldsmobile went out of business in 2004. You’d be hard pressed to find any parts for that car.
We have seen this before. When a patient comes in with implant issues, and we don’t know what brand it is, the process of treating the patient slows down. We have to research, and perhaps even reach out to other dental offices to discover the brand.
This obviously also prolongs the discomfort of the patient.
Well-known brands, like Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Sweden and Martina, or Biohorizon have been around long enough, and their products are in so many mouths, you can be sure it is easy for your dentist to find the right parts.
There is a 5% failure rate with implants. When failure happens, you want to know your dentist will be able to find the right parts.
Mistakes are costly.
When a dentist competes on price, you may feel like you got a great deal today -- but you’ll likely be a great deal of pain tomorrow. A mistake can cost you a tooth, mouth discomfort, your self-confidence, and your self-esteem. Sometimes the damage can be irreversible.
Dental implants aren't always the best answer.
You want to make sure you are working with a dentist you trust.
Understand, the dental implant procedure is surgery not a simple process like tooth-cleaning. Surgery of any kind is a serious matter. You owe it to yourself to make sure a professional you trust does it the right way.
Dental Implants are another procedure where we have seen too many taken advantage of. At R Dental, we make sure each patient get personalized and individual attention and evaluation before any procedure.
Before we do dental implants, we spend time with the patient to make sure you are a good candidate for an implant. If a dental implant is the right option for you, we do three things:
- Take a CT scan
- Examine the tissue
- Begin the procedure
If a dental implant is the right option for you, we take a CT scan so we are confident you have enough bone available in the area needing an implant. If needed, we establish a plan to develop more bone so the procedure can move forward.
Next, we examine the tissue. We want enough quality tissue around the implant to surround and protect your implant. The right amount of quality tissue will protect it from accumulating bacteria and contribute to it’s longevity.
Every step of the procedure is done at the highest level of care with the highest standards of technology and instruments.
Our mission is to help you make educated decisions about dental health and ensure you get the right treatment.
If you are in the Beverly Hills area and think dental implants may be a necessity for you, book an appointment with us here.
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If you live in or near Beverly Hills, come experience the exceptional, personalized service and unforgettable results that only we can offer.
Our patients describe us as artists, perfectionists, and their “forever dentists.” Our holistic approach delivers care on a whole new level.
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The personal touch is only the beginning of our patient care. Book a consultation here or call (310) 271-1337 and we'll promptly answer.
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