<p>Dental implant treatments are generally considered to be expensive, but there are a number of factors which make this inevitable; these include the cost of the 3 components which make up the complete dental implant, the specialized equipment which is used in the planning of the procedure, the complexity of the procedure and the high level of skill and training which the cosmetic dentist other members of the dental implant team require.<br /> <br /> <strong>The Cost of Components</strong><br /> The cost of each component part of a complete <a href="http://www.dentalcareplus.org.uk/dental-implants.htm" name="More information about Teeth Implants" target="_self">tooth implant</a> is reasonably expensive. The implant itself is a precision engineered component which is made from an expensive metal such as titanium or titanium alloy. The abutment which connects to the implant represents less of a cost. Each porcelain or ceramic crown is constructed individually using highly specialized equipment to exactly match the patients&#39; natural teeth; this again is a significant expense.<br /> <br /> The titanium implants are supplied directly from the manufacturer, and the cost of each implant can vary considerably depending upon the number units purchased. A dentist who places relatively few implants will have to pass on a higher unit price than a specialized implant provider which is able to &#39;bulk buy&#39; implants and pass the savings on to the customer.<br /> <br /> <strong>Specialized Equipment</strong><br /> Highly specialized and expensive diagnostic equipment &ndash; such as a <a href="http://www.dentalcareplus.org.uk/ct-scanner.htm" name="CT Scans" target="_blank">CT scanner</a> &mdash; is used to accurately determine the level of bone density within the jaw. The digital information provided by the scan is combined with the use of highly specialized 3D rendering software which enables the dentist to provide a complete treatment plan.<br /> <br /> Other technologies including CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) are also used to accurately manufacture surgical guide which fits tightly over the patients&rsquo; teeth and enables accurate drilling of the jawbone and placement of the implant.<br /> <br /> When receiving treatment from a non-specialist provider, the implant crown will be manufactured by a specialized dental laboratory, constituting a further considerable expense. A company specializing in providing dental implant treatment will often own other computerized equipment used to design and manufacturer the crown from a solid block of ceramic material. Although the initial expenditure for this equipment is relatively high, the use of such equipment provides a less expensive method of manufacturing the crown when compared to the fees charged by a specialized dental laboratory. This represents yet another saving which can be passed on the customer.<br /> <br /> <strong>Complexity of the Procedure</strong><br /> The dental implant procedure isn&#39;t a single treatment but many different dental procedures combined. Each treatment plan for each patient is different and highly customized to the individual needs of the patient.<br /> <br /> Some patients may require additional restorative treatment such as a bone graft and/or a sinus lift to enable the implant to be placed. Implant Dentistry requires a unique combination of skills and a full understanding of surgical procedures which deal with both the soft and hard tissues in the mouth, along with a wide range of components, surgical technologies, &amp; ever evolving dental techniques.<br /> <br /> These sophisticated treatments require the cosmetic dental surgeon to have a high level of knowledge, expertise and training to carry out these procedures, and in such cases the overall cost of treatment will be significantly higher.<br /> <br /> <strong>Variations in Fees across Clinics</strong><br /> There is a significant difference in the fees charged by many different dental implant treatment providers. The larger and more successful implant providers will often charge significantly less due to economies of scale of the component parts &amp; the ability to treat a high number of patients. In the UK, a dentist who places relatively few implants may charge up to &pound;3000 per implant, while the least expensive treatment to be found would cost &pound;1200 for a single implant and around &pound;1000 each for multiple dental implants.<br /> <br /> A number of years ago it was not possible to receive such treatment in the UK for less than &pound;2500, but <a href="http://www.dentalcareplus.org.uk" name="Dental Implant Dentists" target="_blank">dentalcareplus.org.uk</a> were the first dental implant provider to offer implants at the lower prices mentioned above. As a result of which, many of the other UK based implant clinics lowered their prices resulting in the cost of such treatment being reduced nationwide. Dentalcare plus currently has three specialized dental implants clinics in the UK with another clinic planned to be opened in central London in the near future.</p><p><strong>About the Author</strong></p><p>(CityNext.Content #97)</p><p>Article Source: <a href="http://citynext.com/">http://citynext.com/</a> - <a href="http://citynext.com/health/dental-care-articles/reasons-why-dental-implants-are-expensive">The Reasons Why Dental Implants are Expensive</a></p>