If you’re missing one or more teeth, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the benefits of dental implants. Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants replace the root of the tooth. This prevents bone loss, resulting in a stronger bite and a more youthful appearance. Unfortunately, dental implants are also more expensive than the alternatives. Here’s what to consider when deciding if dental implants are in your budget.
Average Cost of Dental Implants in Bergen County
Although the term “dental implant” is often used as a catch-all, there are actually three components involved: the implant itself, which is the post or screw that gets implanted into the jaw bone, the abutment, and the restoration, which could be a crown, bridge, or denture. As you might guess, the cost can vary greatly depending on the type of restoration chosen. The average cost of a dental implant, abutment, and crown in the United States is between $1500 and $6000. Dental implants in Bergen County average between $2600 and $3600.
Other factors to consider are the costs of anesthesia or sedation, the number of teeth being replaced, the total number of office visits needed, and any procedures you need prior to implant surgery, like bone grafting or a sinus lift.
Ways to Save Money on Dental Implants
You may have taken one look at the number above and decided that dental implants aren’t in the cards for you. Before you book an appointment to get fitted for dentures, we have some good news: there are ways to reduce the cost of dental implants.
Dental Insurance
In the past, dental implants were almost universally considered a cosmetic procedure and not covered by dental insurance. As we learn more about the benefits of dental implants, this is beginning to change. Insurance companies are finally acknowledging what we dentists have known for quite some time: that while dental implants are expensive, they prevent serious dental and periodontal issues from occurring in the future.
Sometimes dental insurance plans will make you pay for the implants themselves out of pocket but cover the cost of the restorations that attach to them. Other times, they’ll cover the full cost of dental implants if you’ve been in an accident or if you’ve already suffered bone loss in the jaw. In short, every plan seems to be a little bit different, so it’s important to look into what your insurance provider covers, what kind of deductible you might have, whether there are waiting periods or annual maximums. Our billing team can help you navigate this process if you feel overwhelmed.
Dental Discount Plans
Another option to explore is a dental discount plan. These plans often offer their members savings on dental implants and they have little to no waiting period before you can use your discount. Unlike insurance, your dental discount plan will not pay us directly, but it will provide a predetermined discount that you can use on implants and other dental services.
Dental Office Payment Plans
We never want you to feel like you need to forgo needed dental care like implants because you can’t afford it. Our practice has partnered with CareCredit, Wells Fargo Health Advantage and in-office payment plan to provide our patients with payment plan options that work for their budgets. With CareCredit, patients can get no interest financing or low minimum monthly payments to make dental implants more attainable.
Bundle With Other Dental Services
If you need a full smile makeover or other dental treatments, we would be happy to discuss providing you with a discount for obtaining all of these services at our practice. When we complete multiple procedures in one or two appointments, it reduces the amount of time, sedation, and anesthesia needed, which means we can discount our services accordingly.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’d like to learn more about dental implants in Bergen County, contact Dental Associates of Lodi at 862-247-8030 to schedule an appointment.
