As dentists, we are in the profession of helping others, and we want the best treatment for our patients. Dental providers understand the dissatisfaction that many denture-wearers have with traditional dentures. We also know how transformative implant-supported dentures can be in the lives of many patients, allowing them to eat, speak, and laugh with confidence.

One of the biggest obstacles to patients receiving the best treatment is cost. What are some factors that affect the cost of implant-supported dentures? Read on to learn more about the cost of implant dentures, their benefits, and how to keep costs low for patients.

Overview of Implant Dentures

Denture implants are an advanced dental solution that combines the stability of dental implants with the versatility of traditional dentures. This innovative treatment is designed for individuals who have lost most or all of their teeth and are seeking a secure, long-lasting, and natural-looking alternative to removable dentures.

What Are Dental Implant Dentures?

Implant dentures are a type of prosthetic dental restoration supported by titanium implants that are surgically placed into the jawbone. These implants act as artificial tooth roots, providing a stable foundation for a denture that is either permanently fixed in place or removable for cleaning. The result is a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing solution to tooth loss.

Types of Implant Dentures

There are two main types of implant dentures:

  1. Fixed Implant Dentures (Hybrid Dentures): Fixed dentures are permanently attached to the implants, offering maximum stability and a natural feel. These are only removable by a dentist.
  2. Removable Implant Dentures (Snap-In Dentures): Fixed implant-supported dentures are designed to snap onto the implants for secure placement but can be removed by the patient for cleaning and maintenance.

How Implant Dentures Work

The process begins with the surgical placement of dental implants into the jawbone. Skilled dentists play a crucial role in the correct positioning of implants during the implant placement process, which is essential for minimizing complications and enhancing treatment outcomes. Over several months, the implants integrate with the bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a stable base. Once healed, the denture is custom-made to fit the implants, ensuring a precise and comfortable fit.

Who Are They For?

Implant dentures are ideal for individuals who:

  • Have lost multiple or all teeth in one or both jaws.
  • Have sufficient jawbone density to support implants or are willing to undergo bone grafting.
  • Are seeking a stable, long-term alternative to traditional dentures.
  • Need to replace an entire arch of teeth using methods like All-on-4® or SNAPSecure dentures, which provide effective restoration through relatively straightforward procedures.

Comparison to Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures and implant-supported dentures are two popular options for replacing missing teeth, each with its own set of benefits and considerations. While traditional dentures are often more affordable upfront, implant-supported dentures offer several long-term advantages that can significantly enhance your quality of life.

Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implant surgery is a straightforward and minimally invasive procedure designed to replace missing teeth with a durable and natural-looking solution. The process involves several key steps, each crucial for ensuring the success and longevity of the dental implants.

Maintenance and Care

Caring for implant dentures involves regular cleaning to prevent plaque buildup and routine dental check-ups to ensure the health of the implants and surrounding tissues. Fixed implant dentures require slightly different maintenance compared to removable options, but both are more convenient than traditional dentures.

Implant dentures provide a transformative solution for restoring oral function, aesthetics, and quality of life, making them an excellent choice for those looking to regain confidence and comfort in their smile.

The Benefits of Implant Dentures

Implant dentures are an innovative solution for those seeking a durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional dentures. By securing dentures to dental implants surgically placed into the jawbone, implant dentures offer several distinct advantages:

1. Improved Stability and Functionality

Unlike traditional dentures that may shift or slip during eating or speaking, implant dentures are firmly anchored in place. This stability allows for more natural chewing and speaking, restoring confidence and comfort in daily activities. For lower dentures, implant-supported options provide even greater stability and comfort, addressing issues like bone loss and ensuring a secure fit.

2. Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal

Implant dentures provide a more natural look and feel, closely resembling natural teeth. They help maintain facial structure, preventing the sunken appearance that often occurs with tooth loss, and boost self-esteem.

3. Preservation of Jawbone Health and Prevention of Bone Loss

Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing. This stimulation helps maintain bone density and supports overall oral health, unlike traditional dentures, which can accelerate bone resorption. Additionally, implant-supported dentures help preserve the health of remaining natural teeth by preventing bone loss.

4. Long-Term Durability

Implant dentures are designed to last for many years with proper care. The implants themselves are typically made from titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates seamlessly with the jawbone, ensuring a sturdy foundation.

5. Comfort and Convenience

Because implant dentures are securely attached to the implants, they eliminate the need for adhesives or paste, which are often required to hold traditional dentures in place. This results in greater comfort and less maintenance hassle.

6. Improved Quality of Life

With implant dentures, patients can enjoy a wider variety of foods, speak without worry, and smile confidently. The improved functionality and aesthetics contribute to a higher quality of life and overall satisfaction.

7. Cost-Effective Over Time

While the initial investment in implant dentures may be higher than traditional options, their durability and reduced need for adjustments or replacements make them a cost-effective solution in the long run. When considering denture implants worth, it’s important to note their affordability over time, longevity, and lower maintenance costs.

Implant dentures represent a transformative option for individuals seeking a secure, comfortable, and attractive solution to tooth loss. Their benefits extend beyond aesthetics, enhancing oral health, functionality, and overall well-being

How Much Do Implant-Supported Dentures Cost?

In 2024, the average cost to patients for implant-supported dentures ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending upon the quality of the dentures and your geographic location. But let’s be clear about what we actually mean.

From the dental professional’s perspective, implant-supported dentures are the removable restorations that attach to implants themselves. The total cost for implant-supported dentures does not include other procedures required to prepare the patient to wear the dentures.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Implant-Supported Dentures

From the Provider’s Perspective –

Thoughtful Preoperative Treatment Planning

Depending upon the patient’s overall health, plan each appointment to perform as much treatment as practical for one visit. For example, some patients require extractions plus additional preparatory procedures, such as bone augmentation, in order to create a solid and workable foundation to support implants. Combining procedures into one visit saves total chair time plus the cost of all of the treatment room setup and consumable items. In addition, overall trauma to the tissue is reduced because there’s no need to reenter a surgical site that has already closed and healed.

The Complexity of the Case

Each patient’s anatomy is unique. The type and number of implants necessary to secure a denture will affect the overall treatment cost. Generally speaking, six to eight implants are needed to support a single complete denture. In certain cases, the all-on-4 technique may be effectively used to provide similar denture stability while reducing the number of implant posts to four, saving both time and money. Implant-supported dentures can replace several teeth simultaneously, offering better stability and functionality compared to traditional options.

Dental implant price trends suggest that the cost of dental implants to practitioners has been fairly stable for a number of years but is poised to experience additional growth from pent-up demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, dental implant companies are using strategies such as providing implant surgeons complementary instrument kits with bulk orders of implants at no additional cost. This is used as a means to encourage them to use their products and perform the treatment.

Material Quality

Not all dentures are created equally. We’ve all seen dentures and implant-supported dentures advertised at very low price points. You get what you pay for. Inexpensive dentures often sacrifice comfort, stability, and aesthetics in order to offer a one-style-works-for-most approach. Dentures made from high-quality materials provide lifelike natural aesthetics and will serve the patient for many more years, reducing overall costs in the long run.

From the Patient’s Perspective

Clearly Communicate the Total Cost of the Entire Treatment Package in Writing

Patients don’t know what they don’t know. Nobody likes surprises when it comes to finances. Patients with toothaches are often given the treatment option to have root canal therapy to alleviate the pain. Often, patients hear the price for the root canal procedure but fail to fully understand the total cost of the entire treatment which may include a post and core and a final crown to fully protect and restore the tooth.

The same thing applies to implant-supported denture cases when a la carte treatment is discussed. Design two or three total package deals specifically for your individual patient. Provide everything they will need to take them from where they are to the final denture supported by implants. That way, there are no surprises about the steps involved and the total amount of money they are prepared to spend.

Insurance

Dental insurance is a nice supplement to help patients offset treatment costs. But insurance is not going to pay for everything. Patients will want to take advantage of all of the benefits they are entitled to. Implants are often excluded because conventional dentures are considered an acceptable and cost-effective treatment alternative by most insurance carriers. However, extractions and some of the necessary preparatory procedures that patients need for implants may be covered benefits. Reassure your patient that you will help them take advantage of all of the insurance benefits applicable to their specific case.

How to Keep Implant-Supported Dentures Affordable for Patients

One of the best ways to keep prices reasonable while still giving patients amazing results is by working with a reliable dental laboratory. Working with a lab that makes implant-supported dentures every day will save you time and money because they have the experience and the standardized techniques that produce great results every time. The final product will be of superior quality and will fit correctly at delivery, saving you numerous headaches and avoiding costly remakes.

What is the cost of implant-supported dentures to dentists? Stomadent Dental Laboratory offers dental professionals CAD/CAM implant retained dentures at competitive prices. Visit our services page for more information about our denture offerings and pricing.

Great Quality Synergistically Combined with Cost Consciousness

The overall cost of implant-supported dentures and all of the necessary treatment to be able to wear these restorations can be costly when compared with extractions and conventional dentures. By combining multiple procedures into a single visit, taking advantage of economies of scale, and choosing to work with an experienced laboratory, dentists are able to offer the best treatment while reducing the overall financial burden to their patients. Trust Stomadent Dental Laboratory to be your resource for life-changing implant-supported dentures that improve comfort, confidence, and smiles!

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