Locator Denture Cost
Until recently, the only choice you had if you were missing all of your teeth, was traditional dentures. Now, thanks to new implant technology, there are many solutions for you to choose from, in consultation with your dentist.
Oftentimes, when budget and bone loss is a concern, your dentist may recommend using implant-supported removable dentures, which are removed and cleaned often, but are made stable in your mouth with the help of a small number of implants and complimentary attachment systems on the prosthesis and implant. The Locator Denture system relies on uniquely-designed attachment pieces that allows for fewer implants than fixed implant-supported dentures, and thus, can be used on patients who don’t have enough bone or gingival tissue for higher numbers of implants. In fact, this procedure is often indicated both for patients without teeth (edentulous), and in cases in which bone resorption has occurred, including the consequent loss of gingival volume.
The Locator Denture system is also often recommended for economic reasons, as it is much cheaper than fixed dentures, but also offers high-quality results. The recommended number of implants for the assembly of dental prostheses using the Locator system in the upper arch is 4 elements, while for the lower arch it is necessary to insert two implants to have sufficient stability. Because this uses less implants, the overall cost is less. You can expect to pay anywhere from $750-$2000 and up per implant. This will depend largely on any preparation your dentist must do, such as any bone work, prior to inserting the implant.
The first part of using the Locator Denture system is the implant placement and a healing period of 2 to 4 months. Inserting an implant takes on average just 15 minutes. For this part of the process, the type of anesthesia that your dentist uses can also determine the price. If you undergo general anesthesia, it will be more expensive than light sedation or local anesthesia. In the first part of the process, which can take up to 2 days, your dentist will also often make you the temporary prosthesis that could be used for the period of integration of the implant with the bone. This temporary prosthesis will be part of your overall cost, but make sure you speak with your dentist about this. Once the implants integrate with the bone, attachments are placed to them that hold your dental prosthesis. The Locator system is particularly well-suited to being strong and stable despite fewer implants on which the prosthesis is attached. In the second session, which lasts 5 days and happens after the implants have fully healed, the attachments will be fixed on the implants and the final work will be ready for you. Your new teeth will also be part of the cost. The materials used will determine the price as well.
It is very important that you speak to your dentist and work to understand the full cost of Locator dentures and how the procedure will work before undergoing any treatment.