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What's puzzling is not that the prices are different but that you think they should be the same. Some dentists are just starting out or are bad at marketing -- and compete on price. Others have people on the wait list. Some value their time more than others.
In any case, let's see how much you pay in total after all is done. You mentioned that you just had an implant done. What about an extraction? Bone grafting? Was that cost included in all the prices you've seen?
What's puzzling is not that the prices are different but that you think they should be the same.
I don't think they should be the same, but anyone who doesn't question extreme variation in medical treatments is foolish.
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Some dentists are just starting out or are bad at marketing -- and compete on price. Others have people on the wait list. Some value their time more than others.
Also, some might be inexperienced, no good at it, use cheap materials, or all of the above. Those are places to avoid, wouldn't you agree?
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In any case, let's see how much you pay in total after all is done. You mentioned that you just had an implant done. What about an extraction? Bone grafting? Was that cost included in all the prices you've seen?
I am a dental specialist that focuses on dental implants. We use 2 brands of implants which happen to be the most expensive implants out there. But they have decades of science and research behind their surface technology and connection mechanics. They cost over 4 times the cost of cheaper knock-off implants with less research and much shorter track record.
My fees as a specialist are probably higher than general dentists. I spent several years in residency learning this (versus a weekend course at a hotel) so yes my fees are higher. A significant part of my practice is salvaging or re-doing implant complications that went bad after a less experienced dentist took weekend courses to learn how to place dental implants.
Also, when different people refer to an "implant" they are usually not talking about the same thing when they say "my implant cost X dollars." Many people mistakenly think that an implant includes the crown. Does it include bone grafting if needed? extraction of a tooth? local vs IV sedation? gingival grafting? Provisional prosthetics for cosmetic areas?
Lastly, the bargain places tend to charge you again if it fails and has to be redone. When one of my implants fails to integrate (~4% of implants), I replace it at no charge.
Last edited by toofache32; 05-20-2022 at 08:47 AM..
I am a dental specialist that focuses on dental implants. We use 2 brands of implants which happen to be the most expensive implants out there. But they have decades of science and research behind their surface technology and connection mechanics. They cost over 4 times the cost of cheaper knock-off implants with less research and much shorter track record.
My fees as a specialist are probably higher than general dentists. I spent several years in residency learning this (versus a weekend course at a hotel) so yes my fees are higher. A significant part of my practice is salvaging or re-doing implant complications that went bad after a less experienced dentist took weekend courses to learn how to place dental implants.
Also, when different people refer to an "implant" they are usually not talking about the same thing when they say "my implant cost X dollars." Many people mistakenly think that an implant includes the crown. Does it include bone grafting if needed? extraction of a tooth? local vs IV sedation? gingival grafting? Provisional prosthetics for cosmetic areas?
Lastly, the bargain places tend to charge you again if it fails and has to be redone. When one of my implants fails to integrate (~4% of implants), I replace it at no charge.
Yep, I always make sure what is included as I said above in post 15 "Of course. I only compare apples to apples."
I think bone graft and sinus lift prices should be included with implant, abutment and crown when talking about "implants", because almost nobody gets those unless they are getting an implant. But I always asked because I was expecting to need a bone graft and wanted to make sure nothing was overlooked. Turns out I didn't need one.
I would count extraction as separate because its often but not always a stand-alone event. But that's just me.
After reading this group for a while including comments by some dentists, I just assumed that dentists don't warranty implants. I couldn't afford a high priced implant with a warranty anyway. But when I go back for an evaluation I will ask my "cut rate guy" about it. I don't even want to think about failure because I am so sick of this $#@! flipper already.
Yep, I always make sure what is included as I said above in post 15 "Of course. I only compare apples to apples."
I think bone graft and sinus lift prices should be included with implant, abutment and crown when talking about "implants", because almost nobody gets those unless they are getting an implant. But I always asked because I was expecting to need a bone graft and wanted to make sure nothing was overlooked. Turns out I didn't need one.
I would count extraction as separate because its often but not always a stand-alone event. But that's just me.
After reading this group for a while including comments by some dentists, I just assumed that dentists don't warranty implants. I couldn't afford a high priced implant with a warranty anyway. But when I go back for an evaluation I will ask my "cut rate guy" about it. I don't even want to think about failure because I am so sick of this $#@! flipper already.
Including bone grafting and sinus lifting with implants makes no sense. These can add thousands of dollars to the procedures. Charging everyone for a bone graft even if they don't get a bone graft penalizes those who don't need bone grafts. A bone graft costs me around $200 just to purchase, depending on the type, which adds to the cost.
Of course there is no warranty for something the dentist doesn't have control over. My dad had a heart attack and got stents. How long should they warranty the stent before he has another heart attack? My dad had another heart attack a few years later as he kept smoking and eating cheeseburgers.
Including bone grafting and sinus lifting with implants makes no sense. These can add thousands of dollars to the procedures. Charging everyone for a bone graft even if they don't get a bone graft penalizes those who don't need bone grafts. A bone graft costs me around $200 just to purchase, depending on the type, which adds to the cost.
I just mean when discussing implants, so we can compare apples to apples. if someone says they got an implant for $7000 but doesn't mention the $3500 sinus lift, it doesn't help us much.
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Of course there is no warranty for something the dentist doesn't have control over. My dad had a heart attack and got stents. How long should they warranty the stent before he has another heart attack? My dad had another heart attack a few years later as he kept smoking and eating cheeseburgers.
Makes sense, but what does a dentist have control over once the implant leaves the office? Not a lot. And if it fails because the dentist didn't check the torque or whatever, or because there wasn't enough bone to begin with, the patient will never know why it failed if they aren't up front about it. I'm not suggesting a lot of dentists are trying to pull a fast one, just that it seems like there are few guarantees involved.
I certainly hope my cut rate guy will fix it if he screws something up and I think he would, but if I start opening beer bottles with my implant I wouldn't expect him to.
I just mean when discussing implants, so we can compare apples to apples. if someone says they got an implant for $7000 but doesn't mention the $3500 sinus lift, it doesn't help us much.
Makes sense, but what does a dentist have control over once the implant leaves the office? Not a lot. And if it fails because the dentist didn't check the torque or whatever, or because there wasn't enough bone to begin with, the patient will never know why it failed if they aren't up front about it. I'm not suggesting a lot of dentists are trying to pull a fast one, just that it seems like there are few guarantees involved.
I certainly hope my cut rate guy will fix it if he screws something up and I think he would, but if I start opening beer bottles with my implant I wouldn't expect him to.
That's the thing. Some people go out and chew on rocks it seems like. Then they never have cleanings or regular maintenance and neglect the implants. You would be amazed how many people think "I don't have teeth anymore, only implants, so I never have to go to the dentist again."
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