Have you ever received a bill or paid for something without knowing exactly how the final cost was calculated? It can be frustrating when you’re asked to make a payment and don’t understand exactly what you’re being charged for. This is often the case with medical or dental procedures. Between complex scientific names and navigating the maze of insurance and financing options, it can be difficult to try and understand each piece of the puzzle. When researching how to replace missing teeth, there are plenty of options to consider. Dental implants are an effective and reliable solution but often come with a high cost. The good news is that the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Scottsdale (MDICA Scottsdale) specializes in mini dental implants, which are less expensive than traditional implants for several reasons.
Understanding Dental Implants
To know how and why mini implants are a more affordable option, we first need to understand how dental implants work. A dental implant is a titanium post that we insert directly into your jawbone to provide a more stable anchor point for replacement teeth like crowns, bridges, and dentures. It consists of two pieces: a 5 mm diameter screw that goes into the jawbone and the abutment piece which connects to the replacement tooth.
To place the implant, we have to create an incision in your gums and drill into your jawbone to remove some bone material. If your jawbone lacks the bone density to place the implant, we must perform a bone graft procedure first. Once the bone graft heals, we’ll place the implant and stitch the incision closed. Then, the implant will need 6-8 months to fuse with your jawbone, a process known as osseointegration. Only after this fusion is complete can we load your final custom replacement teeth; you’ll receive temporary teeth until then.
That’s quite a long list of procedures, healing time, and follow-up visits, all of which contribute to the final cost of traditional implants. Mini implants solve many of these issues, significantly reducing their timeline and price tag.
The Benefits of Mini Implants
Mini dental implants are a smaller, sleeker evolution of traditional implants. They have a single-piece titanium design that measures less than 3 mm in diameter. That size difference is similar to the difference in thickness between a pencil eraser and a toothpick. This reduced profile allows us to place them without incisions, stitches, or bone grafts. We only need to drill a tiny pilot hole, which we can do quickly and painlessly using anesthetic. The placement procedure for mini implants can be done in minutes, and we can load your custom-made teeth immediately, reducing the number of follow-up appointments.
Some additional benefits of mini implants are that we can place more of them in an area, increasing the stability and reliability of your new teeth. They’re also an option for patients with smaller jawbones who wouldn’t be candidates for larger implants. Despite being thinner, mini implants are just as durable and reliable as their larger predecessors. Finally, they’re more affordable than conventional implants, making them an option for a wider range of patients.
How Are Mini Dental Implants More Affordable?
The cost of mini dental implants is based on several factors, all of which contribute to a lower price point.
- Less manufacturing material: Traditional implants are larger and come in two pieces, costing more to manufacture.
- Simpler placement procedure: The procedure for placing mini implants only takes a few minutes. Traditional implants require minor surgery, increasing the complexity and cost of the process.
- No bone grafting: Many traditional implant procedures require bone grafting, which adds to the final bill.
- Fewer follow-up appointments: Every extra visit increases the price of implants, so the fewer appointments, the better.
Calculating the Total Cost
At MDICA Scottsdale, we understand that every medical or dental procedure comes with a cost. While mini implants are less expensive, the final price will depend on decisions like the type of dental restoration you need and how many implants to use. At your free consultation, Dr. Mann or Dr. Shatkin will perform an examination, take X-rays, answer any questions, and create a customized treatment plan just for you. Our experienced staff will review your insurance information to ensure you’re maximizing your benefits. We also work with outside lending companies that provide affordable financing options, allowing mini implants to be a possibility for more people.
Learn More About Mini Implants
If you’ve been considering dental implants but have been holding back because of the cost, mini implants come with a lower price tag, among many other benefits. Schedule a free consultation to learn more and receive a personalized treatment plan to replace missing teeth and restore your brilliant smile.
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