Are All Dental Implants Created Equal?
People often ask me about dental implants and specifically why some dentists advertise them for much cheaper than others. You may see a billboard or flyer advertising the surgical placement of an implant and a crown for the implant at $2,500, $2,000, or even as low at $999. Seems like a no brainer to go for the $999 one, right? Why the price difference? Are you paying for the experience and expertise of one dentist versus another? Is one of the dentist a specialist with advanced training? What type and brand of implant is being used?
When implants first came on the market there were only a couple brands and they were closely regulated. Fast-forward 30-40 years and there are now hundreds of brands each with their differences. Some implant companies sell their implants for under $100 while others charge $400. So what’s the difference and why should you care? Let’s look at two examples — implant brand A and brand B. Brand A has been in business for 20 to 30 years and has been on the forefront of research and development. They are often the first in the market to come out with new developments. Quality control is a high priority and their implant products undergo rigorous testing before being used in patients. Brand A provides warranties for its implants and components designed specifically for its implants. In addition to implants, Brand A produces a variety of dental products and holds a large stake in the dental market.
Brand B on the other hand has only been around for about five years. It tries to copy the features of newer implants, but in its attempts to keep costs low, its product testing practices are less rigorous than brand A. Manufacturing is done in a country where labor is cheap but oversight is minimal and quality control is lacking. Additionally, if a dentist ever needs to call brand B for support or to ask questions, it is difficult to get in touch with anyone. Since brand B only produces implants, has not been in business as long, and does not have as large of a stake in the dental market, brand B could succumb to market pressures and ultimately close. The patient with the implant from brand B now has no support or products available should there ever be an issue with the implant or a restoration on the implant. Unfortunately, the FDA does not require continued support for implants.
Additionally, it is important to know whether or not the dental lab with which your dentist or specialist works is using the same brand parts as the brand of the implant. Often, to keep costs low, dental labs will use third-party parts when restoring implants. The problem is that due to patent laws, the third-party parts often don’t fit or engage the implant as well as the genuine brand parts. Further, using third party parts will often void any guarantee or warranty offered by the implant company.
If you are in need of a dental implant, make sure to ask your dentist or dental specialist which implant brands he or she are using and why. Ask if the dental lab uses genuine parts. Remember that a less expensive implant may not produce the best results. A dental implant should be seen as an investment in your oral health. Would you rather invest in a cheap implant and restoration or a quality one that can provide many years of aesthetics and service?
