Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Costs & Insurance

• What Is the Cost of Implant Treatment?

  Since dental implant treatment is the only tooth replacement option that preserves bone, the health of adjacent teeth, and the integrity of facial structures, an investment in dental implant treatment is an investment in overall health, appearance and well-being.

  There are a number of factors that impact the actual fee for dental implant treatment, including the number and type of dental implants being placed, the number and location of missing teeth, the design of the replacement teeth, and whether any ancillary procedures are required to achieve the desired esthetic and functional result.

  Many people assume that there is a set fee for each implant placed. This is somewhat of a misconception, as professional fees are typically calculated based on the amount of time the surgical specialist and restorative dentist expect to spend providing treatment, as well as the estimated cost of the dental implants, other implant components. The cost of other materials necessary to complete treatment, such as bone grafting materials, is a consideration when calculating the treatment fee, as is the fee charged by the dental laboratory technician.

  Initially, the fee is comparable to other tooth replacement options, or even slightly higher. However, dental implant treatment is much more cost effective than other treatment options, such as bridges, which need to be replaced every 10 years, removable partials and dentures that sometimes last only 5-7 years.

• Is Dental Implant Treatment Covered by Dental Insurance?

  Individual insurance policies determine the amount of coverage for dental implant treatment, although dental benefits usually have an annual maximum of $1,000 to $1,500 per year. Since the amount of coverage is determined strictly by what is spent on the policy, there are many limitations on most plans.

  Dental insurance companies design plans to cover routine maintenance, emergencies and basic care. Statistical date is used to determine the most commonly used procedures. The insurance companies determine their own “usual and customary fee” schedule for procedures, based on the cost of the plan. This also dictates the specific restrictions and limitations for each plan. Since most plans are only intended to cover basic care, the annual maximum benefit for most plans is $1,000-$1,500 per year.

  Many companies exclude dental implants as a covered benefit, although they will pay for the lowest cost alternative treatment option (partials and dentures) and some of the tooth extractions and diagnostic records. Even if an insurance plan includes dental implants as a covered benefit, it is still limited to the policy’s annual maximum.

• Does Medical Insurance Cover Implant Treatment?

  Medical insurance plans are beginning to cover procedures such as bone grafting, although processing claims for this procedure has become more complicated. There are also some instances when medical insurance coverage is available for people who have medical complications as a result of complete tooth loss. Benefits are solely dependent upon the individual policy.

  Injuries related to work and some types of accidents are sometimes covered by medical insurance. There is no Medicare benefit for dental implant treatment. Since coverage is pretty rare, it is probably safe to assume that there is no medical insurance coverage available when calculating the overall out of pocket costs for dental implant treatment.

Features & Benefits

• What Is a Dental Implant?

  A dental implant is basically a substitute tooth root, made of titanium, a biocompatible material also used in orthopedic implants. A dental serves virtually the same function as a natural tooth root, preserving bone, stimulating bone growth and providing a stable foundation for a replacement tooth that looks feels and functions like a natural tooth.

• How Do Dental Implants Compare to Bridges, Partials and Dentures?

  Dental implant treatment is the only treatment option that preserves bone and does not compromise the long-term health of adjacent natural teeth. In addition, dental implant treatment has the best long-term prognosis of any tooth replacement option, such at tooth-supported bridges, partials, and dentures, which typically need to be replaced several times over the course of the patient’s lifetime. Also, the natural appearance of the smile is preserved with dental implant treatment, since dental implants prevent the bone resorption (deterioration) that occurs when teeth are lost or removed.

  Replacing teeth with tooth-supported bridges requires cutting down the adjacent natural teeth in order to place the bridge. Partial dentures are hooked onto the adjacent teeth for support and over time this causes the teeth to become loose. In addition, partials and dentures actually accelerate the bone resorption process. This can result in collapse of the bite and the lower one-third of the face, as well as premature aging,

• Will My New Teeth Look Natural?

  Replacement teeth supported by dental implants not only look natural, but they also feel and function like natural teeth. Also, long-term esthetics are usually much better with implant-supported replacement teeth because this is only treatment option that prevents bone resorption, which can cause the smile to look unnatural.

Procedures & Home Care

• Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implant Treatment?

  As a result of the many advances in the field of implant dentistry, nearly everyone missing one or more teeth is a candidate for dental implant treatment, provided that they are in reasonably good health. A few medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, can undermine the success of implant treatment. However, very few conditions would prevent someone from having dental implant treatment.

  One important factor that determines whether someone is a candidate for dental implant treatment is the quality and quantity of available bone for implant placement. However, with the developments in bone grafting procedures, even people who have lost a significant amount of bone can qualify for dental implant treatment.

• How Long Does It Take to Complete Treatment?

  Treatment time depends on a few factors, including whether bone grafting is needs and whether immediate function procedures are possible. If this type of treatment is possible, replacement teeth are placed the same day that the dental implants are placed, although there is a significant amount of treatment planning that takes place prior to implant placement.

  For most patients, dental implant treatment can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending upon factors such as the quality and quantity of bone in which the implants are placed. If extensive bone grafting is needed, it can take anywhere from six to nine months to complete treatment.

• Is the Surgical Procedure Painful?

  Patients typically report that the discomfort of dental implant surgery is far less than they expected, and that it is similar to having a tooth extracted. Most patients do not need prescription pain medication following surgery. Tylenol is usually sufficient, although everyone is different with regard to pain tolerance.

• What Is Recommended for Home Care and Maintenance?

  The type of implant restoration will determine the type of home care that is recommended. For instance, a single implant-supported crown is cleaned just like a natural tooth, with regular brushing and flossing. On the other hand, implant-supported bridges, replacing a few teeth, are cleaned like tooth supported bridges, regular brushing and flossing with the use of a floss threader.

  For people who are missing all of their teeth, home care is a little more complicated. Specially designed brushes and floss are often recommended. Patients with overdentures must clean the implant attachments, as well as the overdenture. Nonremovable, fixed implant-supported replacement teeth are cleaned like other bridges.

  In all cases, patients should see their dentist and hygienist every six months. Patients should also see the surgical specialist once each year as well. Proper home care and regular visits for maintenance are essential for long-term success of dental implant treatment.

Success Rates

• How Long Do Implants Last?

  Documented clinical studies in the scientific literature demonstrate that dental implant treatment has a long-term success rate of 95-98% for periods of over 50 years. This is significantly better than the success rates for other methods of tooth replacement, such as tooth-supported bridges, partials, and dentures.

  Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime; however certain factors do contribute to the long-term success of dental implant treatment, including regularly scheduled maintenance visits with the dentist and dental specialist, as well as appropriate home care.

  The American Dental Association, (ADA) publishes the average lifespan of a tooth-supported bridge as 10.1 years. Research in the scientific literature supports the lower success rates of bridges compared to dental implants. Some studies indicate that the success rate of bridges decreases dramatically after 10 years.

• Do Dental Implants Ever Fail?

  First and foremost, it is important to note that dental implant treatment is one of the most successful procedures in the medical-dental field. Documented studies in the scientific literature indicate success rates over 95%. Although dental implant treatment is consistently successful, with predictable outcomes, on rare occasions the bone does not completely fuse to the dental implants. However, when new dental implants are placed, the documented success rate for the replacement dental implants is even higher.