How Much Should an Implant Cost?
Added: March 16, 2005 - 3:58 PM
By: Patient Email Withheld, Fresno, CA
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Provide Cost Estimate:
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Case Summary
Extractions / Oral Surgery
Dental Implants
Teeth: 20
Last Full Mouth X-Ray: December, 2004
Last Cleaning: December, 2004
Case Description
I have to have tooth #20 removed because of root resorption and will have an implant to replace it. I have seen two professionals besides my dentist: an oral surgeon and a periodontist. Both say my case is very straightforward. Gums and teeth are healthy other than the root resorption, some problems with my bite and some gum recession. They say the nerve that is sometimes a problem in this procedure is exceptionally distant and won't be a problem at all.
The periodontist wants $5,600 to remove the tooth and place the implant. The oral surgeon want $2,000. Neither cost includes the crown. The oral surgeon determined the my "insurance" will pay $130 for the extraction. The periodontist didn't even take my insurance information.
My dentist wants me to go the periodontist because he says the guy's work is always perfect. He says he cannot say that about anyone else. I am comfortable with the oral surgeon. He removed my wisdom teeth without a problem and is confident in his ability to perform the implant.
The periodontist apparently removes the tooth with exceptionally little trauma, then places a membrane over the socket to promote regrowth of bone. The oral surgeon just sutures it over. Neither are proposing bone grafting of any sort. Both would have me return for the implant after a period of months. Both say their procedures are superior.
On asking around, it appears to me that the oral surgeon's fees are closer to the norm. Also, his procedure seems to be the norm. Am I missing something? Is there any conceivable way that the periodontist can be worth what his is charging? I am making a mistake by not having the periodontist's membrane to promote bone growth?
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Reply: How Much Should an Implant Cost?
added: March 16, 2005 - 6:52 PM
Cost Estimate: $
No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Have been placing and restoring implants for quite some time now and feel that the option the periodontist has given is the best of the two. We routinely place bone grafts directly after extraction to provide better bone support for future restoration. Not sure why the OS not placing a bone graft with membrane. I can't imagine why not. This is definitely not the norm where I practice.You will surely have greater bone resorption after the extraction if a membrane or bone graft is not placed. If a candidate, you should also consider immediate placement of the implant at the time of extraction. This saves a step and has great success if bone anatomy and morphology allow. This is only recommended if no infection exists. We are not only placing immediate Implants in my office, in many cases such as yours we are able to place a temporary tooth on the fixture as well at the time of surgery. This is a huge advancement.Although his fees seem very high, i would prefer the periodontist to place the fixture. Here in New York City the same procedure without the crown would range$3000-$4000.Good Luck
Reply: How Much Should an Implant Cost?
added: March 16, 2005 - 8:50 PM
Cost Estimate: $
No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Our office sees implants placed by 8-10 different oral surgeons, periodontists and even endodontists (I guess everyone's jumping on the implant gravy train). Unless there is a big defect in the bone related to gum disease, trauma, etc. , most of these specialists just remove the tooth, wait for the bone to heal (although I'm getting more immediate implants- extraction and implant on the same day), then go back in and place the implant in a few months later.To tell you the truth, I find that some of the specialists like to place bone grafts on all patients because they can make extra money. I only refer to specialists that I can trust, and they only place bone grafts when needed (I know, because I can read an x-ray as well).The cost of $5,600 seems very high. I'd have the surgeon place the implant for $2,000 (a fair price) and put the rest in your IRA.Good Luck
Reply: How Much Should an Implant Cost?
added: March 16, 2005 - 9:09 PM
Cost Estimate: $4000
You will be making a mistake if you just have an extraction done without regenerative procedure. It has been confirmed by multiple clinical studies that once the tooth is extracted and no bone preservation or augmentation procedure is performed at the time of extraction, the ridge area will shrink up to a third wthin 3 months, leaving a potentially compromising situation for a future implant placement. Ridge preservation via bone graft and/or regeneratvie membrane is an accepted standard of care. If a surgeon does not do it, he/she better have a good enough reason. Also, most periodontists, myselft included, do implement atraumatic surgical extraction technique to preserve as much supporting soft and hard tissue as possible. Oral surgeons are not trained to handle soft tissue the same way. Your periodontist may be on an expensive side, but at least he is doing it according to proper surgical standards. And it is understandable that the estimate does not include the crown, since surgical specialists do not usually do crown restorations. You may want to ask your dentist for that cost estimate.
Reply: How Much Should an Implant Cost?
added: March 25, 2005 - 9:12 PM
Cost Estimate: $$3600 for placement/crown excluding implant
Hi. The membrane after extraction is a good idea. Here is the average cost for a patient when they have an implant.I do not know what the extraction will cost with membrane but for implant placement surgeon usually charges 1700- 1900To make the crown takes 2 steps- Fabrication of custom abutment to go on implant - 800Fabrication of crown to go on custom abutment 1100
Reply: How Much Should an Implant Cost?
added: April 02, 2005 - 7:23 AM
Cost Estimate: $$2 - $3,000
I am a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing in New York City midtown, an area with some of the highest fees in the country. I have been placing implants successfully for 20 years, as well as teaching these techniques to oral surgery residents. Regarding bone grafting, in my experience it is ususally not needed - many recent studies have shown that a tooth socket, it there is bone surrounding all four walls, will heal best without ANY graft materials or procedures being done (this make sense, as nature has developed powerful methods to promote healing which we are still struggling to recreate in the laboratory). I probably do not graft more than 20 percent of my extraction sites, and then only if needed. My fees for all of that would generally not be above $3,000 (extraction, graft with or without membrane,and implant placement). I see no reason not to choose the oral surgeon for this procedure.I must add that all implant surgeons have learned to take out teeth as atraumatically as possible to facilitate implant placement, and I am saddened that a dental colleague would suggest Oral Surgeons are not good at handling soft tissue -among other things, we are trained to handle facial lacerations and other plastic procedures, perhaps something that requires the most skill & care in soft tissue management! I hope this helps.
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