Damaging Discounts: Can I Get Cheaper Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement because they provide some unique advantages over other restorations. That also means they’re usually the most costly option to refurbish your smile. Many patients looking to save money turn to dentists offering dental implants at a discount without realizing this could hurt their oral health. If you’re feeling tempted to look for a bargain, keep reading for 3 reasons why you might want to reconsider!

Reason #1: Low Quality Materials

The higher cost of dental implants is partly due to the materials used in their construction. The support rod is usually made of titanium, which drives up the price tag. That means that if another source is offering dental implants at a lower rate, they may be using cheaper materials. However, when it comes to dental work, cheaper isn’t always better.

A new type of bacterial infection called peri-implantitis is on the rise in patients with lower-cost prosthetics. People have been known to develop inflammation around their gums as well as bone loss around their prosthetics. Unfortunately, the cost of treatment to repair the damage can cost more than what you saved in the first place.

Reason #2: Inexperienced Practitioner

Another reason for below-average costs for dental implants could be due to a less skilled practitioner. If they aren’t a highly trained and educated dentist or prosthodontist, then they’re more likely to make mistakes.

Nerve damage is one such typical issue that arises. If you’re having false teeth placed by someone with little to no expertise, they may not have access to X-rays or digital imagery to know where your nerves are located. As a result, they’re more likely to inadvertently hit one when placing your dental implant. To avoid this, you can ask your dentist about their qualifications, so you know you’ll be well cared for.

Reason #3: Integration Failure

In some cases, cheaper metals are used for the support rod of dental implants to save the cost of creating them. Many metals are not compatible with the human body, though, which means your jawbone might not fully fuse with the abutment as it should. This weakens your restoration, and it could fail within the first few weeks of your procedure. This can be both frustrating as well as risky because it leaves you more prone to infection. Then, you’ll have to pay for a replacement which is more money out of your pocket.

The only way to be certain that you’re receiving quality dental implants is to seek help from a trusted professional. Most dentists are happy to walk you through the cost of treatment so you can feel confident that you’re getting the best possible solution!

About the Author

Dr. Eric Barajas has more than 30 years of experience helping patients improve their smiles, making him an expert you can trust. He attended Orange Coast College and Long Beach State before earning his dental degree at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He has since completed extensive ongoing training in a variety of subjects, including dental implants. If you’re worried about the expense, his friendly office staff is happy to speak with you. You’re welcome to contact them on the website or by calling (619) 482-7367.