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Are you missing teeth?
Maybe tooth decay claimed a hard-to-reach, hard-to-clean molar. Maybe you and another player collided on the basketball court, knocking out an incisor. Maybe you were born missing some of your natural teeth.
Dental implants can help you achieve the benefits of having a full mouth of teeth again. They can improve your bite, strengthen your jawbones, and put your smile back in shape. But you may wonder whether inexpensive dental implants are a realistic option.
At Penn Dental Medicine, we provide many tooth repair and replacement services to patients from Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia region. Some patients benefit most from dental bridges or dentures. But we also offer low-cost dental implants when they are the best solution.
A Brief Introduction to Prosthodontics
If you are missing some or all of your natural teeth, you aren’t alone. At least 120 million people in the United States—over a third of the nation’s population—are missing one or more teeth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. More than 36 million Americans don’t have any.
The specialty focused on using dental implants and other methods to repair and replace missing or deficient teeth is called prosthodontics (from Greek words for “replacement” and “teeth”). Prosthodontists are dentists who have completed an additional three years of education and clinical training beyond the usual dental school requirements.
In the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine’s Prosthodontics Program, for instance, students spend 60% of their time in the dental clinic. There, they gain firsthand knowledge and skill in treating a wide range of maxillofacial issues (issues related to the jaw and face).
Once a prosthodontist examines your mouth, they can determine what approach will give you the best results. It may involve some dental implant procedures.
Three million Americans have dental implants, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. That figure grows by 500,000 patients each year.
How To Get Affordable Dental Implants
If your prosthodontist decides you need dental implants, don’t panic about their price. The cost of dental implants is an investment in your oral health and your long-term quality of life.
True, bridges and dentures may initially cost less than implants. And for some patients, bridges and dentures are the right solution. But if they aren’t what your mouth really needs, you’ll likely spend more money on dental care over your lifetime. Besides, dentures’ initial price tag doesn’t reflect the need to replace them, somewhere between every five to 15 years.
Should your prosthodontist decide you need them, finding inexpensive dental implants might be easier than you think.
When you have your implant procedure at a dental school clinic, you’re going to save money. You are also giving future prosthodontists valuable and much-needed experience. They are motivated to provide the best care they possibly can, working under the close supervision of experienced professionals. And in return for providing students that opportunity, you pay much less than you would at most private practices.
Affordable Dental Implants for the Philadelphia Region
Penn Dental Medicine (PDM) is the teaching clinic of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Our third- and fourth-year student prosthodontists use advanced materials and techniques, supervised by respected professionals. Many of the supervising prosthodontists are also dental school faculty.
Our educational mission means you can find low-cost dental implants at PDM. Our services cost 50%-70% less than at private practices, on average.
We accept most dental insurance plans, including all Medicaid plans offered to residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania. We can also work with qualifying patients to establish fixed-rate payment plans.
Inexpensive dental implants from PDM will replace your missing teeth, restore your oral health, and reinvigorate your smile. Schedule your appointment online now or call 215-898-8965.
