mini implants Archives - Coleman Dental

Beware of Mexico and affordable dental implants.

September 12, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My cousin researched affordable dental implants. He couldn’t justify the costs here. So, he went to Mexico. He raved about the dentist. Apparently, he studied in the United States and had a bunch of positive reviews. Eventually, we decided to go through with it to save a buck. It took over a year for the whole process. He felt like the cost of traveling was offset by the cheap implants. Well I was skeptical from the beginning. Now, now he’s starting to pay for it. First, he had a gross infected implant, which cost him an extra trip. They sent him home with a course of antibiotics. But, that didn’t fix it. His entire face swelled and he was in terrible pain. Now, the implant dentist wants to redo it and start over. Is this normal? I was seriously considering this approach to saving some money on dental implants.

-Jim in Arizona

Jim,

You’re not alone in searching for ways to save money on dental implants. But, your instincts are correct to proceed with caution. Here’s the deal. The United States is very stringent when it comes to medical and dental care. We regulate everything, which in the long run means higher fees. So, it is definitely tempting to cross the border to Mexico. As your cousin experienced, you’re pretty much out of luck if something doesn’t go according to plan.

Implant dentistry requires extensive training and expertise beyond dental school. When implants are placed by an excellent implant dentist, they tend to have a 98% rate. But, you have to take a step back and consider why dental implants are more affordable in Mexico.

It could be due to many factors. For example, the dentist’s skill (or lack of it), skimping on quality materials, or simply not caring, since they know you aren’t from Mexico. These types of practices also have a bad reputation of changing their practice names frequently. So, you may see stellar reviews for a dentist online. Then, when things get bad, they shut down and re-open a new clinic.

You would be best served by a reputable implant dentist here in the States. They are held to higher standards and are only a phone call away for any questions or complications. With something as intricate as dental implant surgery and the placement of the restoration, you don’t want to chance your health. The risk is incredibly high to end up paying more in the long run.

So, if your budget is an issue with dental implants, be honest. Tell your dentist your limitations. There are many other affordable dental implant options.

Mini implants are more affordable and can work well in the right situation. Or, your dentist may be willing to phase out treatment over time, to make the cost of implants more manageable. It is also possible to consider alternate treatment options, like a dental bridge or other affordable implant options. Or, you can look at other supplemental insurance plans or finance options.

Thank you for your question. We have no shortage of dental implant horror stories when it comes to cheap dental implants from Mexico.

Why are mini implants controversial?

August 25, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am very interested in mini implants because they are so much more affordable than traditional dental implants. I need to replace a tooth and I see all the benefits of getting a dental implant over a dental bridge or flipper. But I am holding back because they are so expensive. When I asked my dentist, she told me that mini implants are controversial and didn’t recommend that I get them. From what I see mini implants do the same thing that regular implants do, so why won’t she even consider them? Is she just trying to make money off me?

-Kara in Arizona

Kara,

Mini implants are controversial because they are a bit misunderstood throughout the industry. You are correct that they have many similarities to traditional dental implants. They are surgically implanted to the bone and integrate with it. The main difference is that they are much more affordable than traditional implants, which is largely due to their size. They are smaller than traditional implants and some dentists therefore feel that they aren’t as strong. But they have been approved by the FDA for use over the long term.

So why are they so much more affordable? Well, the main factor is the size. They are half the size of traditional implants. Mini implants don’t require as extensive of a surgery, so it is simpler to place and the recovery time is faster. Also, a traditional implant has multiple pieces, and the mini implant is all one piece. Now, not everyone is a mini implants candidate. But you should explore this option further, possibly with another dentist. If your dentist doesn’t recommend or isn’t comfortable placing mini implants, find one that is. You don’t want a dentist that doesn’t feel confident in the product or their ability to have success with the product to place them. It may be very much worth your while to get a second opinion from a different implant dentist that is experienced with mini implants. Ask to see similar cases and fine out about their success rate, as well. Thank you for your question.

Can the Cost of Dental Implants Be Too Low?

August 24, 2021 by Brian Sartin

This might sound a little odd, but I’ve been researching dental implants for a couple of years now and I’ve had consultations from four dentists. It’s not that there’s a problem with any of them, I just want to find someone who will do the work for a price that fits within my budget. I need to have three teeth replaced, so this is a big challenge for me. I just got an estimate from a place that only wants to charge me about half of what the other guys did. I don’t know why, but it worried me, so I asked about why they were able to charge so much less. The lady says it’s not that they’re less, it’s that the other doctors in my area are price-gouging. How can I find out if she’s right or not?

Thanks,

Joel in Illinois

Dear Joel,

You’re right. Something sounds off about that estimate. Unfortunately, dental implants are one of the more-expensive procedures to have done. First, the dentist has had to go through a lot of additional schooling to be able to perform the surgery well. If you want a skilled doctor, that’s an expense you can’t avoid. Secondly, the parts can be very expensive. Depending on who the dentist gets them from, the screw alone can cost more than $100. On the other hand, he can buy one from a third-world country, that doesn’t comply with United States quality and safety standards, for pennies. You’ll also have a lab technician designing a ceramic false tooth (porcelain crown) to top it all off. Again, the quality of his materials and experience will come into play when a dentist sets dental implant rates as well.

Sometimes, there will be a small cost difference between dentists. When a dentist sets his rates, he takes into consideration the amount of time he expects to spend, the amount of time his staff will be working with you, and also the cost of the materials. This is why there are slight variances between practices. When you come across one who charges significantly more or much less, there’s something going on.

It’s possible this final dentist is offering you a different procedure, like mini implants. A practice like this may be marketing them as affordable dental implants. It’s also possible he’s cutting costs on materials. If you want a better answer from him, ask him for the dental billing codes for each procedure he’s recommending. Then, compare these with the codes from your other dentists. If they don’t match, he’s offering a different treatment. If they’re the same, you can investigate his materials. Ask him who his supplier is, and what brand he uses. Compare this with the other providers. You can even research the brand-name to see if it’s from the U.S. and is FDA-compliant. You’re bound to uncover why the prices are so low, and the reason isn’t likely to be a good one.

Word to the wise – don’t select the cheapest dental implant option. You will end up paying much more in the long run if they become loose, infected, or have other complications. Thank you for your question.