What is Dental Implants
Dental Implant is arguably the best permanent replacement for your lost tooth (removable prosthesis).
Dental Implants are actually an artificial, though natural-looking, titanium post to match your tooth root. Implants are surgically positioned into your jawbone, under the gumline that allows dentists to mount replacement teeth which are called crown. The implants seamlessly fuse with the jawbone, creating a strong foundation for permanent teeth or removable teeth.
Titanium alloy is acceptable to your body. And these implants are meant to last for a lifetime, provided you take good care of it.
But the question is how much Dental Implants Cost in India?
Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of a dental implant depends on the brand, the type of implant and the technology used. If a dental implant is from Nobel Biocare, Germany, which is the global pioneer in implants, the cost is around Rs. 45,000. The MIS dental implant from the USA is priced around Rs. 22,000. Your dentist may decide on a brand based on your particular requirements.
There is a separate cost for the crown that is fixed on the new tooth, which can vary between Rs. 8,500 and Rs. 15,000 depending on the type.
It may be said that the average cost of a single implant, including the crown, can range from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 55,000. The final price will depend on the type of tooth that has to be recreated, the material of the tooth, the design of the new tooth and the number of implants to be made.
On average, a single tooth implant costs between Rs. 35,000 and Rs, 45,000 depending on the brand and type of implant and the technology utilized. The cost for the crown varies between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 20,000 according to the material and design of the crown.
Types of Dental Implants
There several leading implant systems available throughout the world. The two popular brands are Nobel Biocare and Alpha Bio. Both companies have stellar reputations and long histories in developing dental implants and have different product lines.
Basically, dental implants are of two types:
Immediate Loading Implants:
Immediate loading implants are used to replace missing or fractured front teeth. These could be the upper or lower incisors, a canine tooth or a single posterior molar. The dental implant is placed immediately in the socket after the tooth is extracted and a temporary crown is fixed on top of the implant. The patient can start using the tooth on the same day.
Delayed loading implants
Though the implant is placed in the socket immediately after tooth extraction, it needs to go through a process known as osseointegration. The process takes about three months, during which the implant fuses with the jawbone. After three months of placing the implant, its outer part called the ‘abutment’ is fixed to the new tooth, which has now fused with the bone. The last procedure is to affix the crown.
All-on-Four Implants
This is a dental implants procedure for edentulous patients, who have no natural teeth. It is a technique in which the patient can have a mouthful of prosthetic or artificial teeth supported on just eight implants. Four dental implants are placed in the lower jaw and four in the upper. The readymade set of 12 to 14 artificial teeth is then fixed to the implant on the lower jaw and a similar set on the upper jaw. The prosthetic teeth are fixed immediately after the implants. The patient can start using the teeth on the same day.
The type of the actual implant will be according to the specific needs of individual patients and their general dental status. Pre-procedure tests include an x-ray and/or CT scan, which evaluates the space available in the amount of bone where the implants will be placed. The tests also give the dental specialist an opportunity to explore various options for each patient.
All-on-Four Implants is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare, Germany. In India, a full-mouth replacement costs around Rs. 6,00,000, Rs. 3,00,000 per jaw.
Also, Dental Implants’ cost also depends a little on the age of the person. For children, dental implants’ shape and size will be than an adult person.
Also, read: 7 Factors that put the dental implants at risk
Cost Comparison of a Dental Implant and Dental Bridge
As noted above, a single dental implant, including the crown can cost between Rs. 35,000 and 55,000 depending on the brand, the type of implant and the material used. In contrast, a dental bridge can cost anywhere between Rs. 9,000 and Rs. 30,000 depending on the material of the bridge (options may be Zirconia, Emax or PFM). For a dental bridge, the two natural, good teeth on either side of the missing tooth are extracted.
After ten years, a dental implant will still function as the other natural teeth in the mouth, though you may need small cleaning jobs at regular intervals. However, the life-span of a bridge is typically eight to ten years. Which means the bridge will have to be replaced with another one at an approximate cost of Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 40,000. The increase in cost is due to the fact that a longer bridge will have to be made to compensate for any bone loss around supporting teeth. And this analysis does not even take inflation into account.
Hence, even if the initial cost of a bridge may seem like an attractive option in the short-term, the cost of a dental implant is significantly less in the long-term. And do take into account the fact that a dental implant requires no further surgical intervention after the initial procedure. A dental implant is a better investment for better oral comfort and a more beautiful smile.