The Quest for Affordable Dental Implants, Are There Any in the US?

When compared to people wearing dentures, individuals who opted for dental implants seem to eat better and healthier and are living their life to the fullest. However, despite the advanced technologies that make the dental implant procedures easier and popular worldwide, it remains expensive for most people.

According to McGill University’s Dr. Jocelyne S. Feine, those who would benefit the most, from dental implants, are the elderly; but cannot afford them because they rely only on fixed pension income. The dentistry professor has studied the costs and benefits of dental implants, and her findings revealed how people with dentures are missing the benefits of a better dental treatment. Furthermore, Dr. Feine added how dental implants should be the standard of teeth loss replacement in North America.

Yet making dental implants a standard of dental care in the US is a tough nut to crack, as doing so would affect other businesses. Insurance companies for one, generally do not include cosmetic dental surgery as eligible for insurance coverages. Even Medicare does not pay for any costs related to dental costs. In most cases, edentulous patients either pay for dentures from out of their own pocket, or simply, stay toothless.

According to Dr. Feine, dental implant replacements in other countries are more affordable, when compared to the expensive cost of implants in the US.

Are Dental Implants Affordable in Australia?

Based on the Australian Dental Industry report, the total costs of dental implants in the country, range between $3,750 to $8,000; albeit depending on the treatment and procedure involved. The aforementioned price range though, does not include bone grafts and periodontal work that is required in order to ensure the success of the implant surgery.

Inasmuch as the Australian government has given dental care in all Australian states and territories greater attention, edentulous Australian patients now receive quality implants. Especially today when the material in use as metal implant is titanium. Nowadays the crowns and dentures look more natural and sturdier at the same time.

According to reports, implants in Australia have better fit because the procedure is guided by 3D imaging scans. The 3D technology improves the precision of where the incisions will be made in the jawbone. Dental engineers have also changed the titanium screws’ surface texture and its shape so that it would encourage rapid bone growth that is essential to dental implants.

Actually, if an Australian clinic focuses only on certain treatments and have invested in its own 3D x-ray machine, the cost can be reduced significantly. Yet the cost will be higher if the jawbone has to be enhanced by way of grafting; or if the patient wants the tooth replacement to be an exact colour match. Dental clinics in Australia cannot just quote prices for affordable implants, because a patient must first be clinically assessed before a dental implant treatment plan is discussed and its total cost has been accurately established.