Price of dental implants: What is hiding behind the final cost of installing an implant?

Tooth loss is not only an aesthetic problem, as it can significantly affect everyday life and general health. While the loss of just one tooth seriously impairs quality of life and self-confidence, people who have lost all natural teeth face even greater challenges. Difficulties with eating, speaking, changes in facial appearance and constant discomfort in social interactions are just some of the daily problems, and even a simple action like biting into an apple can sometimes prove to be a mission impossible.

However, regardless of the severity of the situation, modern dentistry offers implantology solutions that can restore not only the smile, but also the overall quality of life.

If you want to achieve the best results, choosing the right dentist is key to success. In a poll by the Delo.si portal, on one occasion, readers were asked about the factors that most influence their decision to choose a dental service provider. Most of them, as many as 67%, answered that it was – the price. Although in everyday life price is our main guide when buying anything, we should think twice when choosing health and dental services.

The quality of the service and the professionalism of the people to whom we entrust the care of our health should come first, because a wrong decision can lead to long-term problems, dissatisfaction and, ultimately, much higher treatment costs than the initial ones. Motivated by seeing numerous testimonials online about poor dental care after patients decided to have a procedure based solely on price, without considering other factors, we decided to investigate what factors go into making sure you choose the right one for yourself and your health.

An English proverb says: “I’m not rich enough to buy cheap things”. So, based on that, we decided to investigate which factors affect the formation of the price of dental services, especially implant and prosthetic works, which are considered to be the most expensive dental works.

If you are considering replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you have probably noticed that prices can vary significantly from one dental clinic to another, even by thousands of euros, which can be confusing. To help you in the decision-making process, we have identified five key factors that influence the price of dental implants. These factors will allow you to better understand and compare the different offers of dental services. In addition, we also bring questions that you should ask your dentist if you are considering an implant procedure.

What is the quality and material of the implant and crown?

A dental implant consists of three main parts: the implant, placed in your jaw, the prosthetic extension or connection between the implant and the crown (abutment), and the dental crown.

If you only need to replace one tooth, you will need one implant and one crown. However, if you have several missing teeth in a row, you may need a bridge that is held on multiple implants. For example, in the case of missing all teeth in the jaw – the All-on-4 method is available, which allows a complete reconstruction of the tooth row with only four implants. There is also the Zygoma All-on-4 method, which allows resolving the lack of teeth in cases where there has been a complete resorption of the upper jaw bone.

The price of components for dental implants varies depending on the materials and the method of their production. Most implants are made of titanium because of its outstanding ability to integrate with natural bone. The price of titanium implants can vary significantly, depending on whether they are purchased from a reputable manufacturer or a cheaper supplier. Furthermore, the quality of crowns and bridges can vary. For example, to replace a front tooth, the crown can be made of porcelain or some other material. Only experienced technicians work with porcelain crowns because to get the natural transparency of the teeth, you need to have exceptional skill and experience.

Therefore, always keep in mind that the quality of the material and the expertise of dentists and dental technicians are key to the appearance and longevity of the dental implant.

Question for your dentist: What materials are the implants and crowns that you will install made of? Is there a guarantee of quality and longevity of these materials? Also, will I receive an implantology passport that confirms the specifications and origin of the implant?

Does my dentist have the experience and knowledge to perform implant procedures?

Although dentists can perform implant procedures immediately after completing basic university education, experience and additional training significantly affect the success and longevity of implant prosthetic works. More experienced dentists, who have invested in additional education in the field of implantology or surgery, often charge more for their services, but certainly provide patients with greater security and better results.

For patients, this means that the higher price is justified if the dentist has many years of experience in placing implants and uses advanced techniques to ensure an optimal outcome. “Professional training in dentistry means life-long learning and constant acquisition of new knowledge and experiences,” emphasizes dr. Zdenko Trampuš, DDS, who strives daily to improve the quality of life of his patients through sophisticated smile restoration methods. Dr. Trampuš constantly cooperates with the world’s leading dental authorities in order to upgrade his knowledge acquired through more than 30 years of work in the profession.

Although less experienced dentists may offer lower prices, please bear in mind that this may increase the risk of complications or the need for a repeat procedure, which ultimately increases costs.

Question for your dentist: After completing your studies, what additional training and specializations did you complete in the field of implantology or oral surgery?

How complex is my case and do I have enough bone?

Every dental implant case is unique, and more complex cases can often increase the total cost. For example, if the patient has been toothless for a long time, there may be bone loss in the jaw. A long-term lack of teeth can cause bone resorption in the area, which was previously solved by procedures such as bone augmentation or sinus lift.

Fortunately, today we can install zygomatic implants in the upper jaw, which eliminate the need for bone grafting or a sinus lift because they are placed directly in the cheekbones, where there is enough support. Zygomatic implants represent the best alternative to the long process of bone augmentation, which was once the only choice for people with difficult resorption of the maxillary bone of the upper jaw.

In addition to zygomatic implants, few dentists use pterygoid implants. These implants are placed in the area of the pterygomaxillary region of the upper jaw when the maxillary sinus is lowered and does not allow the installation of ordinary implants. Pterygoid implants make it possible to avoid a complex sinus lifting procedure and provide additional stability and durability due to the specific position of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone.

For the most severe cases in the lower jaw, subperiosteal implants are available. These implants are placed directly on the remaining bone below the gums. The metal frame fits perfectly on the hard bone, and a threaded base that carries the fixed prosthesis is mounted on it. This procedure can be useful if classic implants are not an option due to the reduced amount of bone.

Therefore, if you have a more complex case, the solutions will be more complex as well, and the price will be adjusted accordingly – it is crucial to entrust yourself to an experienced dentist who has sufficient knowledge and experience in solving such challenges.

Question for your dentist: Can you explain in detail the complexity of my case, the course of my therapy and its specifics? Is there any alternative to the treatment you suggested?

What type of anaesthesia will I receive during the procedure?

Analgosedation is a state of decreased consciousness that is achieved through the administration of certain drugs that act on the central nervous system and is completely controlled by the anaesthesiologist. This type of anaesthesia differs from local anaesthesia and is recommended for procedures that last longer than twenty minutes, as well as for more extensive, especially implantological, and other surgical procedures, where the patient needs to remain calm.

Unfortunately, not all dental practices are registered for anaesthesia and resuscitation, but we found one that is. At the Ortoimplant DENTAL SPA clinic, collaboration with an anaesthesiology specialist happens on a daily basis. “Through analgosedation, we have made possible for our patients to have greater comfort during the surgical procedure and to practically sleep through it. While the patient sleeps, our team works hard on their new smile,” says dr. Trampuš, DDS; owner and founder of the clinic.

Question for your dentist: During the procedure, what kind of anaesthesia will you administer? Is your practice registered for anaesthesia and resuscitation?

How long does recovery take after implant placement?

There are dental clinics that do everything to make the pre-operative and post-operative process easier for patients. From the initial consultation to post-procedure support, these clinics strive to ensure the most comfortable and carefree experience possible for their patients.

In order to further reduce the stress of dental procedures for patients, the Ortoimplant DENTAL SPA clinic combines dental treatments and therapeutic lymphatic drainage, intravenous supplementation and ozonated autohemotherapy.

Oedema, or swelling, is a common problem after oral surgery and it can be very uncomfortable, long-lasting, and interfere with normal functioning.

One of the techniques that can significantly reduce oedema is lymphatic drainage, which is recommended before the procedure in order to allow patients to recover faster after more complicated procedures. However, taking care of oedema does not end after the procedure. This clinic uses special hilotherm masks that provide a constant cooling temperature, helping to further reduce swelling and speed up the recovery process.

“During my 30 years of work, from the very beginning, I have been focused on excellence and this will continue in the future. My first priority will continue to be the patient who will always receive ‘a little extra’ with us,” says dr. Trampuš. Only with such treatment can the patient be sure that the implant prosthetic work will provide long-term and reliable results.

Question for your dentist: When will I be fully functional after surgery and do you use any methods that can speed up my recovery?

To conclude, if you decide to install dental implants, it is by no means a decision that should be made solely on the basis of price. The quality of the material, the expertise of the dentist, the complexity of the procedure, and the time required for recovery – these are key factors that affect not only the final price but also the long-term functionality and aesthetics of the teeth.

While dental implants may be a significant investment, choosing the right one can bring invaluable benefits – regaining self-confidence, a better quality of life, and a sense of security and satisfaction. Ultimately, well-invested dental procedures mean a smile that lasts a lifetime.