Dental Implants with Low Monthly Payments
There are many factors that can cause you to lose your teeth. Tooth loss, also called edentulousness, can be related to age and / or bacteria. It can be partial or total. It has consequences on chewing, digestion, and in social interaction. Prevention, including regular scaling and rigorous oral hygiene, can prevent the loss of your teeth.
Tooth loss: the causes
Various causes can lead to tooth loss: age is, first of all, a natural physiological cause. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to tooth loss: the bacteria in dental plaque are responsible for periodontal disease. It first affects the gum; gingivitis is the first warning sign that you should not overlook. If this disease is left untreated, it leads to periodontitis. The bacteria attack the bone and the ligament that hooks the tooth to the bone, and the tooth eventually falls out.
Thus, all the causes of periodontitis are likely, over time, to lead to tooth loss, namely:
- a diet too rich in sugars which causes (especially in the event of poor oral hygiene)
- cavities and which can lead to extraction because, left without care, the tooth becomes infected
an imbalance in the oral flora (healthy bacteria are replaced by pathogenic bacteria, aggressive for the periodontium) - unsuitable dental prostheses or which create electro-galvanism (due to the presence of metals in the mouth)
- metabolic imbalances and blockage of the emunctories (i.e. intestinal inflammation) linked to too abundant, unbalanced food and excessive alcohol consumption
- an acid-base imbalance resulting from an acidifying diet (industrial food, meat, dairy products) and excessive stress
- tobacco, because the heavy and toxic metals absorbed via cigarette smoke (or electronic cigarette) will attach themselves to inflamed gums and dramatically accelerate the loss of alveolar bone
- diabetes is also one of the possible causes of tooth loss
However, if you experience tooth loss, thankfully, your dentist will have options for you to replace missing teeth. One of these options is dental implants.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial root usually made of titanium that will be placed in the jawbone to replace one or more missing teeth. On this artificial root will rest a fixed dental prosthesis (often a ceramic crown). This technique is not new but is developing more and more.
Why have an implant?
Replacing your teeth is not just an aesthetic act. A missing tooth is also, very often, difficulty in chewing, a displacement of adjacent teeth which tend to shed, or to rise. This results in an increased risk of cavities and a loss of the natural meshing of the teeth.
What are the contraindications for having an implant placed?
The main thing you need for a successful implant is to have a healthy bone. Certain techniques can compensate for the lack of bone (shorter but wider implant, bone graft, sinus filling, etc.).
Finally, several factors can constitute contraindications and cause the failure of the implant:
- Valvular diseases
- Renal failure
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Certain allergies
- Diabetes
What is the cost associated with implants?
The cost associated with implants can vary, but average between $1500-$6000 per tooth. There are also costs associated with any gum treatment or bone grafts you might need before an implant is placed. Generally, implants are considered cosmetic, and thusly, are rarely covered by insurance, meaning you will have to pay for them out of pocket. This can at first seem prohibitive for many patients, but there are options for you to pay for your implants.
Health Lender Financing
If you have good credit, there are a number of healthcare financing options available to you, such as CareCredit and GreenSky. These lenders often offer introductory rates of 0% interest for a defined period of time and are a great way to go if they are an option for you. They will pay your costs upfront and you will pay them off with monthly payments. If you use these companies, please make sure you read the fine print, as oftentimes, if your balances are not paid in full during these stated 0% interest introductory periods, all of the interest will be added to the loan on the back end. Make sure to check with your lender.
Subprime lender financing
One option for you if you are unable to use more mainstream healthcare financing options is to apply for a subprime loan. Subprime lenders typically work with people who have credit scores at or below 640, and they will look beyond credit score to determine your eligibility. They will also examine your household income as a part of your ability to pay your debts, and will also take into account your employment history and any other sources of income that you may have beyond your job. Many people who can’t access loans based on credit score alone find success with subprime loans. However, again, please make sure you understand the loans, as subprime loans tend to not offer an introductory 0% interest period and oftentimes have much higher interest rates than regular loans, which can make paying them off take a much longer time.
Personal Loans
Another option if your credit score is not high enough, is a personal loan. Personal loans can be secured or unsecured. If they are secured, it means that you offer something as collateral, such as your car or home, against the payment on the loan. If they are unsecured, personal loans can be harder to get and can come with a much higher interest rate. Speak with your dentist and personal finance professionals before getting a personal loan. Both secured and unsecured loans will offer options on payment and duration of the loan, making your payments as manageable as possible.
Flexible Pay Over Time Loans
Another option for you if you don’t have excellent credit is a pay over time loan. Lenders such as Healthcare Finance Direct can partner with your dental office to offer patients ways to pay for their dental procedures. Lenders such as this are similar to subprime lenders, in that they look at a more holistic picture of a person’s finances in determining their credit worthiness and loan risk. If you are approved for this type of loan, it will be an installment loan agreement that will require a down payment, similar to an auto loan or mortgage. Check with your dentist