Dental implants aren’t just the “gold standard” of tooth replacements – they also have a very safe treatment process. This is because a lot goes into the planning phase. An implant dentist carefully considers the patient’s health history, uses advanced technology to asses their jawbone density and the best place to anchor the implants, and spends years honing their technique.
All of this is often reflected in the price of treatment. Yes, dental implants can be costly. But choosing the cheapest option available could result in cut corners and long-term complications. Keep reading to see how it pays to get quality dental implants!
Considering Your Health History
If you have cavities, gum disease, low jawbone density, or a similar problem, then it’s important to address those issues before getting dental implants. A good implant dentist will recommend preliminary treatments such as fillings, scaling and root planing, or bone grafting. Ultimately, these procedures will add to your overall costs, but they’ll also help ensure 1) the success of your implants, and 2) the health of your smile!
A cheaper treatment that doesn’t take your health history into account is simply not worth the “discounted” price.
Carefully Planning Your Treatment
Since dental implants are anchored to the jawbone, an implant dentist needs to be able to see your entire oral cavity. The best imaging technology on the market right now is a CBCT scanner, which can take detailed, 360-degree pictures of a patient’s teeth, gums, and jawbone. Using a CBCT scanner, an implant dentist can get a much better idea of the best locations to place the dental implants safely and effectively.
If an office cuts corners and isn’t equipped with a CBCT scanner, then yes, your dental implant treatment will likely be cheaper. But there’s also a higher risk of the implants being placed incorrectly. Poor placement can result in pain, nerve damage, and other serious complications.
Experience
The experience of the dentist matters when it comes to complex treatments like dental implants. Think of it this way: if you needed brain surgery, would you rather have a brand new neurosurgeon or someone who has been practicing for several years?
A good way to tell if a dentist is experienced with dental implant treatments is to look at their bio. Specialists like prosthodontists and periodontists are considered dental implant experts, while general dentists can take advanced continuing education courses to perfect their skills. Their services will likely cost more – but it’s worth it to have an implant dentist who knows what they’re doing!
Conclusion
“Cheaper” isn’t always “better,” and that’s very true for dental implant treatment. Visiting an inexperienced dentist who doesn’t have the proper equipment or doesn’t consider the long-term health of your smile could actually make the process more expensive. Each complication or implant failure will be something you’ll have to correct with additional treatments, after all.
Research your implant dentist carefully, and remember – it pays to get quality dental implants!
About the Practice
Dr. Robert Hawley and Dr. Jonathan Hawley are your prosthodontists in Abilene. As tooth replacement specialists, they have the training, technology, and diagnostic expertise necessary for providing quality dental implant restorations. To schedule your consultation, contact their office at 325-692-0565.