Millions of people suffer from tooth loss. The best way to fix the problem is with dental implants. They are permanent artificial teeth, which are made to look like your own teeth. Dental implants can be very expensive, however, there are a few ways that you can get low cost dental implants.

Comparison Shopping

When you are considering getting dental implants, it is a good idea to shop around. You do not want to go with the first price that you get. If you are considering getting dental implants, you should speak with several dentists, and get a breakdown of all of the costs involved in the procedure. (x-rays, anesthesia, modeling, materials, and surgery)

Schools of Dentistry

Getting your implants at a dentistry school is a great idea. Recently graduated students perform various procedures in order to get hands on experience. You do not need to worry about the procedure being done wrong. There are experienced dentists and surgeons on hand who oversee the procedure.

You need to contact the school first, as some offer these services to low income patients only. If you are eligible to have your dental implants done at a school of dentistry, be prepared to be placed on a waiting list. Many dentistry schools have a great deal of patients looking to have low cost dental work performed.

Geographic Location

Where you are having your dental implants done can have a large effect on the price. Dentists who work in large cities typically have a higher cost of living and higher overhead costs. Because of this, the dentist will need to charge more money. If you get quotes from a small town, where the dentist’s costs are lower, you are likely to get low cost dental implants.

Financing

Financing is a great way to get dental implants if you do not have the money to pay for them in full. There are several companies which finance dental work. You would be required to make monthly payments for the cost of the work, as well as interest payments.

Discount Dental Plans

Discount dental plans are membership plans, where you would be required to pay monthly or yearly fees. These programs offer discounts of 10% to 60% off. Most dental plans require that you use a dentist who is participating in the plan.

Travel Abroad

Dental tourism has become more and more popular with people trying to get low cost dental implants. The average price for dental implants in the United States is $4250. You can travel to Mexico and get the implants for $1600.

If you are considering dental tourism, you need to understand the licensing standards and regulations in the country that you are getting your dental implants. You should also check into the dentist’s credentials and reputation.

Charitable Organizations and Dental Societies

There are some non-profit organizations and dental societies who offer free or low cost dental implants. Some of these organizations offer these services to low income individuals. Others offer these services to victims of domestic violence, women and children, and people with disabilities.

In order to find organizations who offer these programs, The American Dental Association has an online directory of state and country dental associations who provide these services.

Just because you do not have the money, or want to spend the money, it does not mean that you should forget about dental implants. There are several ways to get them at low cost.