Scared of Looking Old If I Can’t Afford Dental Implants

I’ve recently been told I’m going to lose all of my teeth. I’m absolutely beside myself. The dentist told me he highly recommended I get dental implants. When he told me the price, I realized there was no way for me to afford that. I told him it was impossible. He showed me these pictures of what will happen to my jaw without them. I remember my grandmother looking exactly like that. Sometimes her fake teeth would even fall out. Is there any way to keep that from happening if I really cannot afford dental implants?

Ceanne K.

Dear Ceanne,

An image of snap-on dentures as a means of affordable dental implants
Snap-on Dentures

I’m sad you’re finding yourself in this position. I know how stressful it can be to need a procedure you can’t afford. Your dentist is correct in warning you about the importance of dental implants and the dangers of facial collapse, but I wish he would have also told you the options available to you aside from straight dentures.

I don’t have a complete picture of your financial situation, but want you to know there are affordable dental implant options.

When You Can’t Afford Dental Implants

One of the things I’d look into is getting Snap-on Dentures. I posted a picture of it above. Normally, when dentists talk about getting dental implants, they’re talking about a single implant for a lost tooth or a full set for people in your position who are losing all their teeth.

However, with snap-on dentures, you can get as few as two dental implants. This will secure your dentures to your jaw. You won’t have to worry about them slipping out the way your grandmother’s did when you were younger. These will keep them in your mouth.

It will also preserve the jawbone where the two implants are placed. Obviously, the more implants you have, the more secure they’ll be. But, this is a starting point. Then, as finances change or you save up for others, you can add them.

When to Get a Second Opinion

Because you’re talking about removing all of your teeth, I’m going to suggest a second opinion. Some dentists even offer free second opinions to patients in your situation. Often some teeth can be saved. The more you save the better. Then you wouldn’t need implants in that vicinity because your natural tooth root will preserve the jawbone. Dentures can be fitted with spaces for the teeth that are healthy.

It’s worth investing a little extra time and money into preserving teeth. The more teeth you can preserve in your mouth, the more money and quality of life you’ll save in the long term.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Steven Collins.