What Do Dental Implants Cost in Alberta?
If you’re looking at solutions for cracked, missing, or injured teeth, dental implants could be the solution. Dental implant surgery is a common procedure, offering patients a long-term solution to ensure they’re happy with their smiles for years to come.
But how much do dental implants cost? Is the investment, both in time and money, worth it? It’s vital first to understand what dental implants are and how the surgery works to determine why some costs might be higher.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a replacement for damaged or missing teeth. A person’s teeth can become damaged or missing for a variety of reasons; however, the most common include:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Injury or trauma
A person may need dental implants if they experience an injury like a cracked tooth, damaging the tooth enamel and leaving the vital nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth vulnerable.
However, dental implants can be necessary due to tooth decay or gum disease. These conditions can cause lost teeth because they aren’t secure in the gums.
To replace missing teeth, dental implants consist of an artificial tooth that sits in the space where your damaged or missing tooth used to be. The artificial tooth itself isn’t the implant—the implant itself is a titanium rod inserted into the jawbone to hold the artificial tooth in place.
Determining Eligibility for Dental Implants
It’s essential first to determine if a person is a candidate for a dental implant procedure. Most people are likely eligible for dental implant surgery; however, some conditions could increase a person’s risk of poor procedure outcomes, including:
- Having cancer
- Smoking cigarettes
- Taking immunosuppressants
- Grinding teeth
One of the most critical factors affecting a person’s eligibility is how much jawbone they have. If a person doesn’t have enough jawbone, the dental implant won’t sit properly. Some people may be eligible for a jawbone graft to extend the jawbone. A graft takes either natural bone from another part of the body or synthetic bone and places it on the jaw, which helps the implant reach it.
How Does a Dental Implant Procedure Work?
A dentist will take x-rays of the patient’s mouth and jawbone to help determine if a person is eligible for dental implant surgery. The x-rays will also ensure the proper placement of the implant within the patient’s smile. If there is a cracked or damaged tooth, the dentist will remove it.
Dental implant surgery occurs in 2 phases. During the first phase, the dentist puts the implant in the jawbone underneath the gum tissue. After inserting the implant, the dentist stitches the gum tissue back together. The titanium implant bonds with the jawbone as the gum tissue heals, creating a solid, immovable base. The healing process takes several months.
During the second appointment, the dentist will attach an abutment on top of the implant. This abutment is what the artificial tooth will sit on, keeping the tooth and implant connected. The artificial tooth is then carefully placed on the abutment and adjusted to fit seamlessly into the patient’s smile.
What Factors Affect Dental Implant Cost?
Dental implants in Alberta vary in cost between dentists and how extensive a procedure the patient needs. Alberta’s dental fee guide estimates between $2000.00—$6000.00 for a single dental implant procedure. There are a few factors that determine this cost.
Materials
Dentists use high-grade titanium to create a dental implant. Additionally, artificial teeth are made from either porcelain, ceramic, or resin. These materials greatly determine the overall cost of a dental implant procedure.
Additional Procedures
If a person requires jawbone grafting, the cost of their dental implant procedure will be greater than somebody who doesn’t. On top of the cost of the grafting procedure, there are also fees associated with x-rays and determining if someone is eligible for grafting.
Extensiveness
If a person requires more than one dental implant, the entire procedure will cost more based on materials, time, and surgical expertise. Additionally, if a person needs implant-supported dentures, that could create added costs.
Getting Dental Implant Surgery
Dental implant surgery is a good investment if you’re looking for a permanent solution for a damaged or missing tooth. Speaking to your dentist about dental implants and other restorative dental care options is the first step toward avoiding serious oral health problems.
Get in touch with our team at Symmetry Dental to discover if dental implant surgery is right for you and to get an idea of the costs associated with your unique procedure.
