How does the cost of implants compare to the alternatives?
Though many people assume that implants are more expensive than traditional treatment, in many cases it is more cost efficient in the long run. When replacing a single missing tooth, the two most common options are the tooth-supported bridge and an implant-supported crown. The bridge often costs less initially, but it will need to be replaced 5 to 10 years later. A bridge also requires grinding down adjacent teeth to cement it into place, which permanently compromises the long-term health of these teeth. Most importantly, a bridge does not prevent bone loss. With a traditional bridge, additional procedures such as replacing the bridge, having to re-treat the teeth that were ground down, or repairing a defect in the bone, are definite future possibilities. This could increase the cost of treatment to more than $6,000 in a 10 to 15 year period. An implant, however, costs $2,500-4,000 depending on geographic location. Implants are better long-term alternatives from a financial and health
