Dental implants improve quality of life but also…
Dental implants save costs!
A systematic review of 14 studies published between 2000 and 2010 concludes that, compared with traditional tooth replacement options, dental implant solutions:
- were generally cost-saving or cost-effective for single-tooth replacement,
- represented a cost-effective option for the replacement of multiple teeth over the long term and led to better improvements in oral-health-related quality of life
A scientific report published as the lead article in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants shows that dental implants offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional treatments for tooth replacement.
The report- is conducted by 3 researchers who reviewed a total of 14 studies on the long term costs and cost effectiveness of dental implants- published between 2000 and 2010. The report is available on PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine located at the National Institutes of Health (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23527335).
The main conclusion of this extensive study are as follows:
- For single-tooth replacement, implant-based solutions were generally cost-saving or cost-effective in comparison with traditional three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (bridges).
- For patients with full dentures, implant-borne solutions were associated with higher initial costs than traditional (non-fixed) dentures. However, the consensus of most studies was that, over the long term, dental implants represent a cost-effective treatment option.
Additionally patient acceptance, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for dental implants were high, particularly in elderly patients. This is mainly attributed to the fact that patients reported an improved overall oral health, better quality of life and less overall health care costs.
