I’m losing all my teeth. I know it is my fault so I don’t want to go into all of that. It’s water under the bridge. My question is the cost difference between dentures and dental implants. I wanted to get dental implants but my dentist quoted me $96,000. Yet, I can get dentures for $1,000. I’d really like to have actual teeth. Why is there such a tremendous price difference? While I have been blessed financially, I don’t just throw money around.
Alli
Dear Alli,
Implant Supported Dentures
There are only two ways I can think of that getting dental implants would cost that much. The first is they’re made of diamonds. The second is if he is suggesting your place a dental implant in a 1:1 ratio of every missing tooth. No one does that. Well, maybe the wealthiest of individuals, but even then it would be unusual. I’m not sure why your dentist suggested that.
Instead, what most dentists recommend is what is called implant-supported dentures or implant overdentures. This utilizes between four to six dental implants on each arch of your mouth and then anchors a denture to them. Obviously six implants are better than four, but it can be done even with four. You will have all the benefits of dental implants this way, especially the protection of your jawbone.
Before you move forward with this dentist, I would ask him why he didn’t suggest implant overdentures to you. Anything else is just grabbing for money. I’m curious if he suggested that just because you could afford it. This is making me wonder if he is consistently suggesting the most expensive options for you.
An ethical dentist would give you all of your options while explaining the pros and cons of them all. I’m concerned you are not seeing an ethical dentist.
Is it possible that he just told you the cost of a single dental implant and you multiplied that to how many teeth you would need to replace? If not, and he just quoted you that price, I suggest you find a different dentist. One who doesn’t take advantage of you.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.
