If your kid loses a permanent tooth, you will want to have it replaced as soon as possible. However, you will also wonder how much it’s gonna cost you.
In general, single tooth replacement costs at least $1,000 depending on what type of tooth replacement is recommended for your kid’s case. It is quite expensive, but your dentist should be able to work out a plan to make it more affordable for you.
The total average price of single tooth replacement is around $4,250. Dental implants alone, which is considered the best option, will cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.
Take note that in computing the total average price, the following additional costs are included: consultation, x-rays, and the crown that will be put on top of the implant.
Dental crown is the usual option when it comes to replacing a missing or badly-broken down tooth. Insurance plans may cover up to 50% of the cost, provided that the treatment is medically necessary.
If a crown is to be placed for cosmetic reasons, insurance won’t cover the costs. Most dental insurance plans, however, offer a maximum coverage limit of $1,500 annually.
Dental implants is the preferred treatment option for kids who have lost a permanent tooth. The main advantage of implants is that they look and function like natural teeth. They are also easier to clean, which is good for the gums and bone.
Dental crowns, or more popularly known as jacket crowns, are put over an implant to replace a missing tooth. Aside from tooth replacement, they are also indicated for capping a tooth with extensive decay. They help reinforce the remaining tooth structure and improve its form, appearance, and position or alignment.
Your dentist may suggest a jacket crown for your kid’s tooth to replace a large leaking restoration, to prevent fracture of a tooth weakened by decay, or to go on top of an implant.
The cost of jacket crowns is $800 to $3,000 depending on the material and the number of crowns needed. Consult your dentist to come up with a price estimate.
If you find dental implants plus jacket crowns to be a bit on the expensive side, another option you should consider for single tooth replacement is a fixed bridge.
A fixed bridge involves putting jacket crowns on the teeth adjacent to the missing one’s, and attached between these crowns is the replacement tooth called a pontic. On the first few appointments, your kid’s dentist will prepare or reduce the crown of the adjacent teeth, take an impression, and send that impression to the lab. The laboratory-fabricated fixed bridge will then be fitted onto your kid’s mouth and the dentist will adjust it accordingly. Once you and your kid is happy with the fit and appearance, the fixed bridge will be cemented permanently.
Fixed bridges are available in different types based on the material, and your dentist will discuss with you the most appropriate type based on your kid’s case.
The cost of a fixed bridge depends on the type of material used and the number of units to be fabricated. The average cost is anywhere from $500 to $1200 per tooth.
Bonded restorations, otherwise called composite restorations, are tooth-colored fillings used for cases of tooth decay that are not extensive enough to require a jacket crown. It comes in different shades that can match the tooth color and produce that natural-looking effect.
Majority of dental plans usually cover costs for bonded tooth restorations.
Looking for a dentist for tooth replacement options? Find a Kool Smiles partner dentist near you!
Sources:
Colgate: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bridges-and-crowns/how-much-does-a-porcelain-crown-cost
Dental Implant Cost Guide: http://www.dentalimplantcostguide.com/
DocShop: http://www.docshop.com/education/dental/general-dentistry/bridges