Bargain Implants

There are numerous advertisements throughout the country marketing dentists who offer "bargain" implants, some as low as $700. While cost is an issue for many people in this economy, it should never be the primary consideration for implant treatment. Keep in mind that implant treatment involves a surgical procedure to implant a medical device into your body.   Therefore, the experience of the surgical specialist and the quality of the implants being placed should be higher priorities than the cost of treatment.

Most surgical specialists use implant systems that are based on years of scientific research and clinical studies, and these are not inexpensive. However, there are a multitude of "knock off" and/or cheaper implants that do not have the same amount of research behind them.  

There are also issues with clinicians who place a quality implant and then use components that are not from the same manufacturer to fabricate the crown. This can create problems, since the components are precisely manufactured to be used together and the documented success rates are based on using components from the same manufacturer.  

Bargain implants present another potential problem. If a smaller company goes out of business, there is a high likelihood that if you ever need replacement components in the future, that they will not be available. For instance, if you were in a car accident and broke off an implant crown.

Therefore in addition to asking questions to determine if your implant surgeon and restorative dentist are experienced (see Selection Criteria) it is important to ask if they are using an implant system that is evidence based.