More than three million people have dental implants, and that number is rising by about a million every two years, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry¹ reports. Why are so many people choosing dental implants? They’re the best solution for missing teeth, with a success rate of 98 percent according to WebMD².
Dental implants were once extremely expensive, but today, lower prices are making more people consider the advantages of dental implants over dentures. Here’s why millions of people are choosing implants.
Cosmetic & Health Advantages of Dental Implants
For many people, the biggest advantage of dental implants is improved functionality. Dentures often make eating painful and may get loose at inconvenient times. They can also break, leaving you without teeth for days – or even weeks – while you wait for repairs. Dental implants, on the other hand, are permanently attached into your jawbone. They work like your natural teeth without falling loose and with less risk of breaking.
While you’re enjoying the ability to eat effortlessly, you’ll also gain more confidence thanks to the way dental implants look. They’re more natural than dentures, and you don’t have to take them out for cleaning. Your daily care routine will mimic the routine for natural teeth, so you don’t have to feel self-conscious about your teeth. In fact, many people may never know that you have implants unless you tell them.
Implants are also healthier for your jawbone. If you wear dentures for a long period of time or lose teeth without replacing them, you’ll gradually lose bone over time. This will eventually make it impossible to receive implants because you no longer have adequate bone to set the implants. When you choose implants, you preserve your bone as well as the natural functioning of the jaw.
If you’re replacing individual teeth with implants, you can do so without adding stress to the surrounding teeth. You don’t need your other teeth to support the implant as you would with a bridge, so every tooth can remain happy and strong.
Finally, many people choose implants because they eliminate potential embarrassment. Dentures can come loose at any moment, causing your speech to slur. They may also fall out while you’re talking or trying to eat. It’s often difficult to get dentures to fit correctly, and you’re more likely to suffer from loose teeth until you get it right. None of these problems arise with implants because they’re permanently secured to your jaw bone.
Financial Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are thought to be extremely expensive, but that’s no longer true. If you’re thinking there are no financial advantages to implants when you can get dentures for less, you need to consider the investment of each option. While dentures may cost less upfront, they often come with ongoing expenses that are less likely to occur with implants.
For instance, you have to pay for repairs each time a denture plate breaks or a denture tooth falls out. Depending on your dental insurance coverage and the policies of your dental practice, you may also have to pay multiple fees when trying to get new dentures fitted. Each adjustment may cost you. Dental implants are much easier to maintain, perfectly fitted when implanted, and aren’t likely to continue costing you money for years to come.
As demand for implants continues to rise, more and more dental discount programs are emerging to help with the cost of the procedure. This means you could save hundreds of dollars on your implant procedure if you sign up for the right discount program. You may also finance with no interest for a year or longer, giving you time to pay off the procedure without added expense.
These programs and arrangements make dental implants more affordable. For many people, the health and cosmetic benefits of dental implants more than make up for the expense. They can boost your confidence, which has a positive impact on your professional life and your ability to earn money in the future. Those long-term benefits can offset any cost of dental implants, leading to improvements in your overall quality of life.
Where to Find the Best Deals & Discounts
The best dental implant prices are often found through implantologists. While these professionals have extensive training and experience, they specialize in implants rather than offering a variety of services like your family dentist. They often work through specialized dental clinics offering the most advanced procedures and newest technologies.
You also don’t have to pay for your implants upfront. Many implant clinics and dental offices offer a variety of options, including payment plans and medical credit cards. If you do have some money to invest upfront, you may get a discount just for paying cash.
A search for dental implant quotes online will lead you to websites for a variety of practices in your local area that currently offer this procedure. This is a great way to find specialized clinics as well as local dentists with training and experience in implants. Once you find the right doctor for your implants, you can begin looking forward to a flawless smile with realistic, natural-like teeth once again.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.
