Cheap Dental Implants – Are They Really Worth The Cost Saving?

If you’re reading this then it’s probably because you’re considering cheap dental implants as a viable option to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The question is… are they really worth the cost-saving?

The short answer is both yes and no – in other words, it depends. The long answer, however, is a bit more complex….

It goes without saying – particularly here in Australia – that dental implants are one of the more expensive dental treatments on offer. That’s the downside! 

In fact with dental implant costs falling anywhere between $2000 and $7000 per tooth, it’s little wonder why some people are on a quest to find the cheapest dental implant possible. 

Of course, you could argue that bagging yourself a bargain is a good thing. After all, who doesn’t love buying something at below the going rate? However, when it comes to cut-price dental implants should you be taking a risk with your dental health?

You see, a dental implant is, in fact, a highly-engineered titanium post which is anchored directly into your jaw when a tooth is lost. Once in position, it’s designed to fuse with any remaining bone tissue to create a solid and stable platform upon which to support a dental crown, a dental bridge or – along with other dental implants – an entire denture.

As you can imagine, this doesn’t – or shouldn’t come cheap. The problem is that all too often we regularly come across adverts for cheap dental implants with a dental implant cost of a fraction of the price it should be. So how come?

The Conundrum of Low-Cost Dental Implants

Every time you see a dentist advertising the fact that their dental implant costs a fraction of the price of their competitors you can be sure of one thing – well… three to be exact! So let’s take a look.

Cheap dental implant prices mean high volume

For a dentist to make any money from low-cost dental implants, they need to be carrying out large numbers of restorations. Inevitably this could mean quick turnover, a ‘let’s get the job done and not waste time on the finer details’ mentality. 

This goes against pretty much against everything dental implant treatment is supposed to be. Instead, dentists should adopt a measured approach where every detail counts. After all, it’s going to be a permanent addition to your mouth so it needs to be right, right?

Cheap dental implants mean inferior products

As already eluded to, a dental implant costs a lot of money because it’s a highly engineered piece of equipment and one that is designed to remain in the mouth for many years to come. Naturally, this doesn’t come cheap – or at least it shouldn’t. 

However, competition for dental implants is tough. Yet, more and more new implant manufacturers are springing up every day. More often than not, the only way they can compete is through price. 

The problem with new dental implant start-ups is that they don’t have the cash to spend on years of clinical trials and testing and even if they do, they often need to cut costs somewhere else to justify their lower price points. Inevitably that starts with the implant itself.

In reality, cheap dental implants often equate to an inferior product with limited trialling and testing. Do you really want to take that risk?

Cheap dental implants means rushed procedures

Dentistry is an expensive business. There’s the constant need for updated training, the hiring of staff and hi-tech equipment to pay for. That’s before we even mention the cost/annual rent of the premises. So to turn a profit, particularly for those who offer low-cost or cut-price dental implants, they need to churn out procedure after dental implants procedure. 

Inevitably, with limited time available for each patient, most of the important planning and preparation stages tend to get glossed over. The truth is that rushed surgery often leads to problems for the patient later on down the line – often resulting in more cost and discomfort.

So, now we know when cut-price dental implants are a bad idea, let’s take a look at situations where you can make savings on your dental implants cost safely…

Check Your Medical Cover

We often get asked whether health insurers will cover the cost of dental implants. It used to be a categorical no.

Nowadays, however, things are changing and while it’s highly unlikely that your health insurer will cover the entire cost, some will now cover a part of your dental implants treatment. So, it’s worth checking out the small print on your cover to see.

Look for Discounts

Many reputable dentists now offer regular discounts to patients for treatments. This is either because they are offering a new treatment or because they need/want to attract new patients. So it might be worth asking your chosen dentist if he or she is running any discounts or promotions for dental implant treatment.

Take Advantage of Dental Plans

One of the best ways to acquire affordable or cheap dental implants without compromising on quality is to take advantage of a dental plan. Many dentists offer dental plans which allow patients to spread the cost of treatments over a series of weeks or months. This is fast becoming a popular way of getting the treatment you need without being several thousand dollars out of pocket from day one. 

So there you have it, everything you should know about cheap dental implants and how to save money without compromising on quality. 

If you are considering dental implants as a form of missing teeth replacement, then come and talk to No Gaps Dental. As a multi-location dentist, we ensure that our prices remain competitive across all our sites without any loss of quality. Why not visit our No Gaps Dental website and see for yourself.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.