Implants in conjunction with dentures can add to stability, especially in lower dentures. Although implant dentures are a viable service, too much pressure is used to sell them to denture candidates. The average fee paid for implant dentures is about $15,000 for each one. Most denture wearers have implants placed in conjunction with only one of their dentures; usually the lower. Upper dentures have much more stability, without implants, than lowers. A high quality upper denture without implants averages about $1,700, which means that a set of upper and lowers with implants on the lower only averages about $16,700.
Dental Implants vary significantly. Some implant techniques involving dentures can cost as much as $50,000 for just one denture; either upper or lower. There are scores of implant companies from domestic to those abroad; carrying hundreds of types. However, three companies, 3i, Nobel bio-care and Calciteck are the primary manufactures of them. Patients who want to have existing implants serviced by another practitioner do well to find one who is either familiar with their particular implant or one who is well versed in the broad spectrum of implants and in various avenues of implant technology as well.
Implants are by no means a cure-all. Tens of thousands of patients each year in the United States experience implant failure. Dentists have been indoctrinated by dental schools to lead patients to believe that it is impossible for dentures to work without implants; however, even low shrunken lower jaws can support dentures that are made correctly. Denturists know specialized implant free techniques that can increase your ability to wear dentures.
The above information is not intended to discourage denture wearers who may be contemplating use of dental implants. It is to make consumers aware that there are alternatives. If patients have money to invest, or in some events money to lose, they may possibly benefit from a positive implant experience. Keep in mind too that there is a vast amount of substandard quality care being delivered throughout the country. It would behoove patients who are contemplating implants to do their homework in finding a dental provider or dental team who is exceptionally experienced in denture care as well as implant and implant follow-up procedures.