Dental implants are a revolutionary new technology which offers a permanent and natural solution to missing teeth. Dental implants provide a number of benefits beyond cosmetic, including preventing bone loss and shifting of nearby teeth. Read on to find out more about dental implants and the average cost of a dental implant in Australia.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent and realistic option for replacing missing teeth. They are an excellent alternative to dentures or bridges which can become loose and are more prone to damage. Unlike dentures, dental implants help maintain healthy bone density in the jaw.
The dental implant consists of a small screw that is surgically embedded into your jawbone, and a small abutment is attached. A crown is then placed on top of the abutment to give you a natural-looking tooth that functions with the same strength and durability as your own teeth.
What Is the Average Cost of a Dental Implant?
Dental implants can be a costly investment at the outset because they are a permanent solution that can last a lifetime in addition to the host of benefits they provide. At Dentistry on Solent Norwest Dental, we use DIO implant technology to minimise the number of appointments for our patients and improve recovery time. There are also several other factors that can impact the teeth implant cost. Get a free consultation at your local dental clinic to find out more.
Type of Dental Implant
At Dentistry on Solent Norwest Dental, we offer two different types of dental implants. The first is a single implant which consists of a titanium screw, an abutment and a crown.
For patients who do not want dentures, we offer All-on-4 implants which include four implants, spaced apart.
They are used to support multiple crowns to replace an entire row of teeth.
All-on-4 implants are more expensive than single implants due to the increased cost of materials and the complexity of the surgery.
Cost of Extraction
If your tooth is damaged or severely decayed and needs to be extracted, this can also impact the teeth implant cost. If you are opting for the All-on-4 dental implants, we may have to extract additional teeth. An extraction may require the use of general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of damage to the tooth. Anxious patients may also opt to use nitrous oxide, also known as sleep dentistry, to help alleviate any fears they have about dental procedures.
Additional Surgeries
As the titanium implant needs to be directly embedded in the jawbone, some patients may need additional surgeries before getting dental implants to strengthen and stabilise the bone tissue. This surgery is known as a bone graft and consists of animal or cadaver bone combined with bone sourced from your body inserted into the area where your jaw is weak. Once the graft is healed, the implant can then be embedded. Book a free consultation at your local dental clinic to assess your case.
Are Dental Implants Covered by Medicare?
In general, Medicare does not cover dental work, including dental implants. However, there are some exceptions to this policy. If your oral health is negatively impacting your overall health and the only way to fix it is with dental implants, then Medicare may cover the dental implant cost.
You will need a referral from your GP under a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement. Another exception is for certain concession cardholders who may use state-funded dental vouchers to cover the cost of medically-necessary dental implants.
Can I Claim Dental Implants on Private Insurance?
Your level of coverage depends on your health care fund and policy. Some policies cover dental implants as part of their hospital coverage. However, you will need to have your dental implant surgery performed at a hospital as an inpatient, which is only applicable to patients that require bone graft surgery or special anaesthesia.
You may also have partial coverage if your policy offers periodontics as part of your Major Dental coverage. Always check with your policy and healthcare provider before making a claim. You can discuss your options with a dentist that offers free consultation.
Final Thoughts
At Dentistry on Solent Norwest Dental, we offer a variety of payment plans to help you spread out the cost of your dental implants so you can achieve the healthy smile you deserve. To find out about our dental implant procedure or to book a consultation, call Dentistry on Solent on (02) 9159 3783 to speak with our experienced staff.
When thinking about your dental health, it is not just about how white, shiny, or straight-looking your teeth are. People may be forgetting how to Read more
One of the most popular fields of dentistry that gets the attention of those who would want to have their best smile is orthodontics. Through Read more
By the way dentists, dental clinics, and manufacturers advertise their orthodontic or teeth-straightening procedures to every one of us, you would think that getting straight Read more
Who doesn’t want to have perfectly straight, aligned teeth? Most people you see on TV or in the movies smile their best while sporting white, Read more