In Europe, although average of implant cost is still higher than in United States, close to 80% of Dental Implants were placed and by generalist practice and about 20% were placed by specialists, like Oral Surgeon. Here in United States, in a contrary, only less than 20% of generalist practice are involved in dental implants placement and restoration. 

There has, in a Florida dentist Dr. Davidoff's opinion and a national research, been a tendency for certain practitioners to overcharge for dental implant procedures. If you are interested in his commentary about excessive fees in this field of dentistry, please Click Here for information about excessive Fees. . .

There are two major costs involved in dental implant treatment. The first is the implant itself and the second is the restoration (tooth or teeth) that is anchored by the implant. Fees for these services vary considerably. I have seen fees for a single implant placement that range from $990.00 (mini-implant) to $6,000.00 (wide-diameter) in San Diego, California and adjacent Tijuana, Mexico. I agreed with Dr. Davidoff that his opinion, an average fee for the placement of each is between $1,800.00 and $3,500.00 overall. Bone grafts, membrane, PRP, BMP, bone marrow transplants and sedation are extras for few more thousand dollars, and cost can  escalate to $12,000- $30,000 per tooth surgery.

In my practice, the average fee per implant is $2,500.00 and that is because I do a tremendous number of implants each year. There are, however, situations where I might charge more or less for a particular patient treatment due to the difficulties or complexities of the treatment situation. Right now, I am offering to place implants to support an existing lower denture at a fee of $3,500.00 complete. For that fee, I will place implants in your lower jaw and attach your existing denture to these implants for excellent stability and retention of the denture. To see my fees, you can view my fee schedule.  Remember that out of state patients will get great incentives to fly to San Diego for their dental treatment.

Restorations on implants vary to a much greater degree and an individual can pay as much as several thousand dollars for a single restoration up to over $80,000.00 for a complete rehabilitation involving dental implants. Fortunately, there are implant restorations available for most people that are in the realistic range and allow many more people today to find a suitable solution to replacing missing teeth. You have to make sure that the dentist that you choose is familiar with all of the restorative options to suit your needs and that he can provide the treatment at a fee that you can live with.

Fees for dental implants are often inflated. Many patients save on their dental implant treatment when they become patients of Dr. Shih in San Diego, California.

What is an dental implant?           

A dental implant is a replacement dental tooth root treatment made of titanium, which anchors into the jawbone and supports an implant crown. The bone grows around the implant as if it was a natural tooth but even stronger.

    Restoring life with permanent solution

What is SmartPReP™ Autologous Platelet Concentrate/or Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP)?  (Our clinic is one of national leading dental facility equipped with this technology)

Platelet alpha granules contain potent growth factors necessary to begin tissue repair and regeneration at the wound site. Concentrated autologous platelets present huge reservoirs of growth factors that have the potential to greatly accelerate the normal healing process, naturally. The use of concentrated growth factors is considered by many to be a "new frontier" of clinical therapy and creates a paradigm shift affecting all segments of the medical profession.
 

Leading clinicians in specialties such as dental, plastic & reconstructive, ENT, otolaryngology, orthopaedic, neurology, cardiovascular, vascular, general, non-healing wounds, and pediatric surgery routinely use concentrated platelets due to their ability to deliver a cocktail of bioactive growth factors. Growth factors shown to enhance the body's natural healing process include:

Platelet Derived Growth Factors (PDGF) initiate connective tissue healing including bone regeneration and repair. PDGF also increases mitogenesis (healing cells), angiogenesis (endothelial mitosis into functioning capillaries), and macrophage activation (debridement of the wound site and second phase source of growth factors).

Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-ß ) increases the chemotaxis and mitogenesis of osteoblast precursors and they also stimulate osteoblast deposition of the collagen matrix of wound healing and bone regeneration.

Epidermal Growth Factors (EGF) induce epithelial development and promote angiogenesis.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF) have potent angiogenic, mitogenic, and vascular permeability-enhancing activities specific for endothelial cells.

What does this Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP ) do?

Improving patient outcomes

Clinicians have reported that the use of growth factors from platelet rich plasma combined with implant or oral surgery can enhance:

		Bone Growth and Maturation
		Graft Stabilization
		Wound Sealing
		Wound Healing
		Hemostasis

How are implant crowns and fixed implant bridgework different from conventional bridges?

An implant supported crown or a multiple tooth implant restoration is different from removable bridgework in that no natural adjacent teeth need be altered. A conventional bridge needs two natural teeth to be attached to on either end. A fixed implant bridge is self-supporting and does not involve altering the structure of other adjacent teeth. It is permanently attached to the jawbone.

How is fixed implant bridgework different from dentures?

Dentures are typically supported by gums and remaining teeth. In time they loosen, become uncomfortable and can lead to the eventual loss of the natural teeth that the denture is attached to.

Dental Implants feel like natural teeth, they are stable, secured to the jawbone and not removable. With implants you avoid the need to purchase denture adhesives and the bother of using adhesives. They allow you to eat foods such as apples, corn on the cob, just as with natural teeth.

Do dental implants work immediately? How many visits are required?

Dental implants generally require an initial surgical visit for implant placement and can be done relatively quickly. Implants are placed into the jawbone creating an artificial tooth root. The healing process usually takes three to six months.

After the healing process, a minor surgery is performed to uncover the implants which have stabilized in the jawbone and are underneath the gum. In our office, we have performed 5-in-1 implant protocol (immediate placement and immediate teeth to chew with) since 2001. Thus, secondary surgical exposure is usually eliminated.

During the healing process you will be fitted with temporary natural looking teeth. Mini-transitional implants can be used for a temporary acrylic bridge or crown during the healing phase of the definitive implants.

Once the implant is stable and integrated into the bone, a permanent implant crown is placed on top of it. Since the implant acts like a natural tooth root, the crown visits are similar to the visits required to create a

 crown on a natural tooth, final impressions are taken, the crown is cast and custom made, and adjusted to fit as comfortably in your mouth as your natural teeth.

How do I know if I am a candidate for dental implants?

No matter what your age, if you have a space from a missing or extracted tooth, missing teeth from age or decay, or you are a denture wearer, you may be a candidate for dental implants. Dental implants can be for one tooth, several teeth, or, in some cases, your entire mouth. Anyone with healthy bone structure can benefit from implants.

Before Implant Missing Tooth

Final Implant Crown Placement

What are the advantages of dental implants?

Improved biting pressure ! Healthy teeth are able to absorb a tremendous amount of biting pressure (500 psi). Dental implants can often restore the amount of pressure that can be withstood to the same level of healthy, natural teeth. This means you can go back to eating corn on the cob, apples, pears and the like with confidence and pleasure.

Comfort and fit Because your replacement teeth are anchored and secured to the implants in your jawbone, they won't slip and slide like dentures can.

Longevity & reliability With proper oral hygiene and care, scientifically tested and approved dental implant systems have been shown to last as long as 20 years or more.

Increased self-confidence  Because dental implants function like natural teeth, most people feel a renewed sense of self-confidence. No more cleaning dentures, no more empty space between your teeth when you smile and laugh. You can eat, talk, laugh and smile with confidence.