Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth and have transformed the smiles of millions of people around the world. A long-term replacement for missing teeth can eliminate dentures, reduce the need for bridgework, and remarkably improve patients' quality of life.
Almost all adults will lose a tooth at some point in their lives due to trauma, lack of care, or simply old age. A person's appearance, self-confidence, and overall health can be significantly affected when their teeth are missing. You can feel and look like you have natural teeth with dental implants.
For more information about the cost of dental implants, read this article on how much a dental implant costs without insurance.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a post made of titanium with a false tooth attached to it. An implant replaces a missing tooth by embedding itself in the patient's jawbone. The portion of the post that protrudes above the gum line can then be cemented with a crown, bridge, or denture.
A dental implant offers the best long-term and stable results among other alternatives to replace missing teeth. Titanium screws act as roots that anchor the metal device into the bone.
After tooth extraction or loss, the remaining bone in the jaw determines whether implants can be used. A lifetime of inconvenience and embarrassment can be avoided with dental implants. Implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth.
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Dental Implant Costs
A dental implant is a medical device that requires dental professionals to install it. You must consider dental implants not as a product but rather as a service that has the potential to change your life.
It costs about $3,000 to $6,000 per implant to place and restore a single dental implant. An average cost of $4,500 is typically charged. A full arch of fixed implant bridge can cost between $35,000 and $45,000 (or more) per arch for people who want to replace all their top or bottom teeth with implants.
Low-Cost Dental Implants Near Me
For low-cost dental implants near me, you can either shop to find cheap dental implants or choose the following options (whichever is available in your area).
Cosmetic Dentistry Grants
People needing cosmetic dentistry services like dental implants may be eligible to receive partial grants through the Cosmetic Dentistry Grants (CDG) Program. Even though CDG doesn't pay for dental implants in their entirety, the partial grants it offers can help make them more affordable for many people.
A free oral health assessment by a dentist is required to qualify for a grant. The chances of CDG accepting you as a candidate for dental implants are good if your mouth is healthy.
It does not guarantee you will receive a grant if accepted as a candidate. Grant recipients are determined by several variables used by CDG, such as the total number of applicants, the number of funds available for the grants, and the income status of the application.
Dental Schools
Recent graduates or current dental school students can obtain hands-on experience by assisting experienced dentists performing dental implant procedures in many dental schools. Dental schools in nearly all states offer low-cost or free implant treatments and other dental procedures.
Significant discounts may be available to you even if you don't qualify for free implants. A wide range of treatments, including implant procedures, are available at dental schools in all states. Among the services provided by some schools as part of their outreach programs is pro-bono dentistry.
Clinical Trials
In research studies, new treatments, new drugs, and new medical devices are tested to find out if they are safe and effective as well as whether they are safe and effective. Taking part in a clinical trial may provide you with free dental implants.
Find out about all the trials that you may be eligible for by visiting the website of the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Several well-funded research programs can provide the implant or treatment for a free or reduced cost.
You can also apply for government-funded trials. See what the federal government funds clinical trials on the Clinical Trials website.
PACE Dental Implants For Seniors
The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) might be an option if you are more than 55 years old and require dental implants. An elderly person eligible for nursing home care can stay in their own home with the help of this program.
In addition, PACE may cover the cost of medical procedures that Medicaid and Medicare do not cover in your state. You can check their website for information about the availability of the PACE program in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are a few frequently asked questions that often come to the minds of people looking for affordable dental implants.
A dental implant's purpose is to replace one or more teeth permanently. They can last a lifetime if regularly checked and cleaned correctly. Despite this, dental implants only last 10 to 15 years due to constant pressure and stress from biting and chewing.
The procedure of implant placement is relatively painless. Local anesthetic can be administered during the procedure to minimize pain. It usually takes 6 to 8 months for dental implants to heal fully. Healing times can vary, however, depending on the underlying issue that led to implant placement.
Using artificial teeth, you can treat missing teeth permanently and effectively. If you are not a candidate for implant surgery, the following alternatives can be considered.
Full Mouth Dentures
Partial Dentures
Fixed Bridges
The maintenance of dentures and bridges is more complex than that of implants, which require frequent visits to the dentist.
Dental implants are one of the most popular and long-lasting treatments for missing teeth. However, they are a very expensive treatment. Finding low-cost and affordable dental implants is possible if you know where to look.
You might be eligible for dental grants or receive affordable implants if you qualify for a clinical trial. Alternatively, dental schools are another option for getting low-cost dental implants.
For more information on the various government and private programs and grants that offer financial assistance, read the rest of the Gov-Relations resources. If you are a low-income individual with housing insecurity, check out our guide on applying for low-income housing with no waiting list.
