Baton Rouge Dentist

I Have Two Missing Teeth and Can’t Afford Dental Implants

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I lost my upper left canine and premolar teeth five years ago and have been wearing a partial denture since then. Two weeks ago, I talked to my dentist about how uncomfortable the partial denture feels. She explained that I could get a dental bridge or implants, and she really pushed for implants. I cringe at the thought of being $6,000+ in debt for dental implants, so I need another perspective on my alternatives. Please assist. Thank you. Kaye

Kaye,

Thank you for contacting our office. Dr. Perry would need to perform an oral exam and take x-rays to determine your treatment options. Still, we understand your concerns. A smile is part of our facial expressions and personality, so we must weigh our options carefully when teeth are missing. Even if you cannot afford dental implants, getting natural-looking results is essential for your self-esteem and confidence.

What Are the Options If You Can’t Afford Dental Implants?

If you cannot afford dental implants, the options include a fixed or a removable prosthesis (artificial teeth).

Removable Replacement Teeth

Whether you are missing one or multiple missing teeth, a partial denture can replace them. If you already wear an uncomfortable partial denture, you can get a more comfortable new one from a skilled dentist. You can consult with a cosmetic dentist for a partial denture with these improvements:

  • Better quality
  • Sturdy, comfortable framework
  • Natural-looking replacement teeth

Fixed Replacement Teeth

Fixed replacement teeth include a dental bridge and dental implants.

Dental Bridge

A dental bridge is a series of dental crowns connected at their sides. The end crowns fit over your natural teeth, and the crown(s) in the middle replaces the missing tooth or teeth.

  • A dentist must shave down two natural teeth for the ends of the bridge to fit over them.
  • Your jawbone will shrink wherever your teeth are missing.
  • A well-made dental bridge can last five to ten years.

Dental Implants

Dental implant parts, including the screw, connector, and crown, and one complete implantDental implants are artificial tooth roots with a crown attached to the top. You can get a dental implant for each missing tooth. A dental implant is the most expensive form of tooth replacement. Consider three features of dental implants:

  • Your jawbone anchors your implants, not adjacent teeth.
  • Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and prevent bone shrinkage.
  • An implant screw can last 20 years or longer. You will only need to replace the dental crowns.

Your oral health and your budget influence the tooth replacement option you choose. We recommend scheduling at least two second-opinion appointments to discuss your options and how each dentist can make treatment affordable. If you cannot afford dental implants, speak with a cosmetic dentist about achieving the most natural-looking results possible with a partial denture or a dental bridge.

 

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge family dentist, sponsors this post.

Why Aren’t Prices on Dental Websites?

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Hello there,

I have been checking a lot of cosmetic dentistry websites in my hometown, and have noticed something. None of them seem to put any price information on their websites! Why is that? I would like to know the cost of any dentist before going to their office. I don’t want to waste time at a place I cannot afford anyway.

Why don’t more dentists put their pricing or costs on their websites? I, like many people, like to comparison shop. It would be helpful if more dentists put their cost information online.

Henry, from San Francisco, CA

 

Hi Henry,

You are correct, most dentists do not opt to put their pricing information online. One reason may be to avoid looking “cheap” or low quality to potential clients. Dentists know how to save their patient’s money, but posting this online may make them look unprofessional, like they cut corners or do shoddy work.

Some dentists that do post their prices online may be willing to work with you on the cost of dental work. However, in terms of dentistry, cheaper is not always better. In fact, cheap dental work may end up costing you more in the long run, as it may be made from lower-quality materials or may break in ten years instead of the usual fifteen to twenty. For example, a dental implant that costs more upfront but lasts fifteen years ends up being less expensive than a cheaper option that lasts only ten.

While cheaper is not always better, the most expensive option does not guarantee the best quality work, either. It is best to opt for a dentist whose fees are in between. To find out an office’s fees, call a few local dentists and ask them for their prices for a few common procedures. For example, get the prices for a dental hygiene appointment, a porcelain crown on a molar, and a multi-surface anterior composite filling. Comparing these prices between a few dental offices will give you a good idea of which office is best in terms of affordability.

Getting long-lasting dental work is not something that easily lends itself to comparison shopping for the cheapest deal. Instead, aim for somewhere in the middle fee-wise, and you will end up better off in the long run.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

Why did my dental implant fail?

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I am in desperate need of dental implants that are affordable. I consulted several dentists, but had succumbed to the idea that my only affordable choice was a partial denture. Not all of the dentists I met with suggested this. Some advised that I needed dental bridges, and one even suggested I needed surgery. I finally landed on a dentist who said he could provide me with affordable dental implants, with no prior surgery. It never occurred to me that I should have questioned this, seeing as none of the other dentists made this suggestion. Therefore, I proceeded with his treatment plan and received the implants. Unfortunately, they have been problematic from the beginning. In fact, one of them fell out completely! Is this typical or did I receive sub-par treatment? The dentist states that there is no way to anticipate problems like this, and sometimes dental implants fail. Is this the case, or did I have the wool pulled over my eyes?

Thank you,
Mandy

Dear Mandy,

The affordability of the implants is not as important to answering your question as is the skill level of the dentist. The success rate of a procedure such as this can be as high as 98%. However, this statistic varies greatly based on the skill and experience of the dentist.

No, a dental implant completely falling out is not common. If no other symptoms accompanied this issue, the signs point to the implant not having adequate time to complete integrate with the bone before the crown was placed. This is called osseointegration, and generally takes six to nine months to be fully complete.

It is possible that your dentist did everything correctly, yet your body rejected the false tooth. This has happened before and there is no way to predict to whom it will happen. But, when it does happen, and the body rejects the tooth, it can look different from patient to patient.

Considering all of the above factors, it is difficult to conclude whether your dentist was just inexperience, or if he short-changed you. It would be a a great idea for you to consult with an experienced dental implant provider, in order to for your implants to be evaluated. He or she may be able to provide you with a better understanding of why yours failed, as well as help determine a plan to replace the one that fell out.

This article is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider Dr. Ryan Perry.

What if I can’t afford the treatment my dentist insists on?

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My dentist said I need dental implants. I just plain can’t afford him.  I told him I would rather get dentures, but he said that would ruin my jawbone and I really need implants.  What do I do if I can’t afford the treatment? I’m not going to sell my house in order to get my teeth fixed.

Ali B. – Tucson, Arizona

Ali,

There are very few things that irritate me more than a dentist who instists on the ideal treatment regardless of the financial circumstances of their patients. It’s not only inconsiderate, it’s unethical.   Your dentist is ethically bound to tell you all the legitimate treatment options.

Yes, it is not ideal.  Yes, it will affect your jawbone. But, sometimes patients need affordable dental options . This may be the best treatment for you right now.  Then, if things change, you can upgrade later.

If your dentist has trouble understanding that, I suggest you look for a more affordable dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can’t afford implants; can’t live with dentures

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At at my daughter’s birthday party. It was a huge deal. All her colleagues from work were there. We’re wishing her happy birthday and singing to her, when my dentures fall into the punch bowl.  It was one of the more humiliating episodes of my life. I can’t keep living with these dentures, but when I priced dental implants the cost was higher than I expected. Is there something in between?

Maureen L. – Indiana

Maureen,

What a horrible thing to have happen.  I am sure you never want to repeat the experience. There is a middle ground between dental implants and dentures.  Have you looked into mini implants or implant overdentures? They are just two affordable dental implant options.

You want to be careful not just to call around for the cheapest dentist. You could end up with a horror story of misplaced implants or other dental implant failure. Sometimes the cheapest dentists are the ones who cut corners in places that are unfair, if not dangerous, to the patient.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Floored by the cost of dental implants

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I need three dental implants. I was absolutely floored by the cost–$10,000! Is there any way to get these less expensive?

Nora A. – Minnesota

Nora,

You’re not the first person to ask this question. It may be possible to find a dentist who will do your implants for less money, but you have to be careful about looking for the cheapest dentist.  Oftentimes, the only way those who are really cheap can afford it is by using sub-par materials. This can cause serious problems in your jawbone later.

There are ways to get affordable dental implants, such as mini implants. The key is to have honest communication with your dentist. Then he can work within your budget to give you the correct treatment.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

I’m worried about my jawbone

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My jawbone is getting smaller. My dentist says it is because I have dentures instead of dental implants and that it will keep happening. I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford dental implants, so my dentist says there is nothing more he can do for me. Are there no options?

Henry C. – Frankfurt, KY

Henry,

I’m sorry for the situation you are in. Did your dentist mention mini-implants? I hope so.  It is unethical to not give all your treatment options.

Mini-implants are a more affordable option, so that may be something you can do. It costs less, because the surgery is much simpler.

I am a little concerned about your bone loss. If you don’t have enough bone structure, which may be the case if you were recognizing it visually, then you’d have to have some bone grafting done, which will increase the cost.

Many dentists have payment plans that are low and even no interest. You might look into that as well.

This blog is brought to youby Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.