Cost of Dental Implants in Los Angeles
Dental implants create a full and healthy smile that can enhance your confidence in social and professional settings as well as improve your ability to chew. Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth and are often the best treatment option for tooth replacement. While dental implants come with a significant upfront cost, they are a permanent and hassle-free way to restore your dental health. Many variables are considered when determining the price of your dental implants. During your consultation with Dr. Salamati, you will be provided with a cost estimate that will include all of the following factors.
Are Alternatives to Dental Implants Worth It?
Bridges and partial or full dentures are the most common alternatives to implants. Dental bridges are designed to replace one or more teeth and are affixed to your existing teeth using dental cement. Dentures can replace multiple or a full set of teeth, and can be easily removed.
While bridges and dentures are initially cost-effective, they are not necessarily the better option. Dental implants look, feel, and work like your natural teeth. Bridges also allow you to speak and chew normally; however, they require healthy teeth surrounding the area where they are placed and can only replace consecutive missing teeth. They also require sacrificing the structural integrity of the adjacent teeth, leaving them open to sensitivity, decay, and breakage.
Dentures are typically the least expensive option and can replace several teeth in different parts of your mouth. However, they can make speaking and eating some foods difficult and are vulnerable to slipping out of your mouth. They require constant maintenance, and will need replacing every few years. Dentures can also be uncomfortable and irritate the gums. Restorations using dentures or bridges do nothing to support the health and quality of the jaw bone which can affect your entire mouth. Deterioration of your jaw bone because of missing teeth often means you may need to replace additional teeth in the future. Dental implants produce natural-looking and comfortable dental support without the continuing expenses of bridges or dentures.
The Cost of Dental Implants in Los Angeles Depends on…
- The dental implant itself
- The attached dental crown
- The location of the dental implant
- A single tooth or full mouth teeth replacement
- Whether dental bone grafting is necessary
- Pre-existing dental health conditions
- Your pre- and post-surgical dental care
- Your dentist’s experience and expertise
While some general dentists have limited training in placing dental implants, periodontists are dentists who are specialists in the surgical placement of dental implants. Dr. Salamati is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Implantology, which is the highest level of professional achievement in periodontics and dental implants surgery. When you’re looking for a top periodontist in Los Angeles, look no further than Dr. Salamati.
What Goes Into Your Dental Implant Procedure?
Examination and Extraction
Dental implants replace teeth that have already fallen out or damaged teeth that must be extracted. Implants may replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or a full mouth.
Grafting and Preservation
Bone grafting and site preservation are sometimes necessary if a portion of the bone has disintegrated due to damage. This is a common result of tooth loss. A dental implant requires adequate bone strength and health to hold the implant.
Placing the Dental Implant
The root of a dental implant is composed of a titanium screw that is surgically placed into the jaw bone. It serves as the base to which the new dental crown (tooth) is attached.
Placing the Crown
Once the gums and bone have healed, a porcelain crown (tooth) is attached to the implant (or connected abutment) to provide a natural and visually pleasing appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental implants covered by insurance?
While you may consider dental implants to be a crucial component to both your mental and physical health, insurance companies don’t always agree. The best way to determine if your insurance covers your dental implants is to contact your dental insurance provider to find out if they offer partial or full coverage. There may be parts of the process (tooth extraction, bone grafting, implant placement) that are covered. Other factors include knowing what your yearly out-of-pocket cost is and whether you need a referral before the procedure. Knowing what your insurance covers before you undergo the procedure will save a lot of stress in the long run.
How much do tooth implants cost in LA?
As mentioned above, the cost of your dental implants depends on several variables, including:
- The education, training, experience, and expertise of your dentist
- How many teeth need to be replaced
- Whether you need tooth extractions or bone grafting prior to receiving dental implants
- The quality materials used in the implants
- Cost of the lab that creates the customized implants
- Anesthesia and other fees (dental assistant costs, etc.)
Many health care credit companies offer no-interest and low-interest loans for dental implants. Visit our Financial Policy page for more information.
What is the most expensive part of a dental implant?
The most expensive part of your dental implants is typically the crown, not the actual implant. The implant itself is a simple metal post, while the crown is designed to look and work just like your natural teeth. The cost of a crown is typically influenced by the material used to create it, and laboratory costs. The crowns are manufactured by skilled technicians using cutting-edge technology and premium materials to create a strong, lasting product.
How are dental implants like my original teeth?
Dental implants are created to match your existing teeth, and they function the same way natural teeth do. They must also be maintained in the same way you care for your other teeth. It is essential to brush and floss twice a day and schedule routine check-ups with Dr. Salamati.
Will I need gum surgery before getting dental implants?
If you have periodontal disease, you will still be able to get dental implants. However, you will likely need to treat your gum disease first. If left untreated, periodontal disease can not only cause problems with your dental implants, but it can also affect your overall health. Untreated gum disease can also lead to bone loss, which may compromise the integrity of your implants.
Should I invest in dental implants?
Dental implants improve both the aesthetic and health of your smile. Over a lifetime, they can prove to be the most cost-effective option.