Insurance Coverage For Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants can be substantial. However, the cost of the implant may be worth it when you consider that implants typically last a lifetime, function like natural teeth, give you back a better smile and allow you to eat and speak with confidence.
Implants cost more than bridges because of the surgery involved and the expense of the implants themselves. Placing implants requires your dentist to get special training and equipment to perform the procedure.
If you want to get dental implants to replace missing teeth but the cost is out of reach, you should consider getting dental insurance. Some dental insurance plans may cover a part of the cost of dental implants.
Depending on the reason you need implants, either your dental, your medical insurance, or both might provide coverage. Here are some factors that can help as you consider financing implants:
The cost of implants and implant-supported restorations vary from region to region. Only your dentist can give you a definite cost estimate for your particular case. After a consultation, contact your dental insurance company to find out if you have coverage and, if so, how much your out-of-pocket expenses will be. Some dentists and oral surgeons can set up payment plans or have special financing available.
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The information provided here is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is provided to help you communicate effectively when you seek the advice of your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Photos and videos are for illustration purposes only and are not indicative to what a patient may experience.
Dental Implants Arent Experimental
Insurance companies rightly deny coverage for treatments that are experimental. Unproven treatments could be a bad investment. They may help policyholders or they may just be a waste.
But this isnt true of dental implants. Dental implants arent experimental at this point. They have been used for over 50 years. Millions of dental implants have been placed since then. There have been many studies of their safety, effectiveness, and longevity. When you look at the issue, there is simply no justification for describing dental implants as experimental.
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Cost Of Individual Implants
Individual dental implants will usually cost between $3,000 $6,000 per implant. An individual dental implant may be a good option for patients who are only missing a single tooth and have an otherwise healthy row of teeth. For patients needing multiple implants or even entire rows of teeth replaced, individual implants quickly become cost prohibitive.
Insurance Companies Want To Avoid The Cost
Once weve dismissed those false justifications for not covering implants, its easy to see that the real reason is simply that they dont want to pay for them. Dental insurance companies are ultimately focused on remaining profitable, not necessarily on providing the best care for the people they insure. So whenever they can cut costs, they will do iteven if it means that some people arent getting the best care.
Dental implants are expensive up front. If youre the person getting the implants, they are definitely worth it, though. The benefits of having the better bite function, the attractive smile, the long-term stability, and the overall improvement in your quality of life all make dental implants a great investment. In fact, implants can be less expensive over time than other restorations, such as dental bridges, which provide similar functionality, but dont last as long.
However, to insurers, the initial cost is a good enough reason to not cover them. It creates a disproportion between your insurance premiums and your payouts, and that doesnt make good business sense from their standpoint.
Once you learn what dental insurance doesnt cover, it often makes good sense to get rid of insurance and just work with dentists directly. Its not as expensive as you think, and it puts you in control of your dental care. That way you and your dentist can make the decisions based on whats best for you, not whats best for the insurance company.
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Find Dental Implant Services On Airsmile
Natural is often seen as a positive. Take, for example, food. Most natural foods especially fruits and vegetables have fewer calories and dont have preservatives added to them.
Sometimes, natural isnt possible, as in the case of our teeth. We have to either get some sort of replacement for a missing tooth or leave that space bare. Thats not helpful when our smile is such a big part of our self-confidence!
Enter dental implants. As a revolutionary replacement for a missing tooth, they consist of a safely constructed titanium screw placed in the jaw bone. The result is a stable foundation for a ceramic dental crown to be locked permanently into place.
Dental implants make it much easier for you to bite into and chew your favorite foods! Plus, you can brush and floss them just like you do to your natural teeth!
There are a variety of factors that affect the cost of dental implants, including:
If you need multiple dental implants, the cost can be anywhere from a staggering $20,000 to $27,000 per fixed arch. The fee for an implant-supported dental bridge is around $6,700 $20,500, with two implants spanning three or four teeth.
What If I Dont Have Aetna Dental Insurance
If you dont have Aetna dental insurance, you may be wondering if your dental implant will still be covered. Unfortunately, the answer is that its up to the individual plan. Some plans may cover dental implants, while others might not. Youll need to contact your insurer to find out for sure.
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Does Medicare Cover Cost Of Dental Implants
Medicare typically isnt going to cover the cost of implants unless its related to a specific disease or injury. For example, if a patient were in a car accident and experienced severe trauma to the jaw, Medicare may cover the cost of implants to help repair the damage. Likewise, if a patient experiences problems with their teeth due to an unrelated disease , then Medicare may cover the cost of dental implants.
In general, similarly to standard health insurance, Medicare wont usually cover the full cost of dental implants for patients.
Do I Need Periodontist Insurance
Home»Do I Need Periodontist Insurance?
To be a candidate for dental implants, your gum health must be optimal. Gum disease increases the risk of implant failure. Receiving periodontitis treatments before surgery can increase the chances of success. At OraBell Dental Implant Centers in Van Nuys, our patients in this situation often ask whether they need periodontist insurance.
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Is Dental Implant Covered In Insurance
Basic dental insurance policies don’t typically cover a dental implant procedure. You’ll need to look into cosmetic dental procedure coverage, which covers a portion of dental implants. Your dental implant insurance coverage could be 50% of the cost, meaning your insurance covers half of the procedure.
Expected Costs For A Dental Implant
Average dental implant costs vary by a couple of thousand dollars per tooth, depending on the type of implants youre getting and how many teeth are missing. Full-arch reconstruction typically costs less per tooth since were using fewer implants for something like an All-on-4 or All-on-6. At Gordon Dental, we take the surprise out of your projected dental implants budget. Everything is reviewed upfront, including an estimate of your dental implant insurance benefits.
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What Is A Dental Implant
One of the strongest devices available to replace missing teeth, dental implants are artificial tooth roots that support crowns, bridges, or dentures. A popular replacement for missing teeth, over 500,000 people in the U.S. get dental implants each year.²
Tooth roots are the foundation for natural teeth. Roots anchor the teeth into the jawbone. If there is no root because a diseased or dead tooth was removed, a dentist can replace the missing root with an implant. Dental implants supply the support needed for a dentist to build a new false tooth. Once the implant is set, an artificial tooth is attached that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
A dentist places an implant into the upper or lower jawbone where the natural tooth was removed. Over a few weeks, the bone and gums grow around and through the implant, anchoring it in place. Your dentist then places a crown, bridge, or denture over the top of the implant.
Eon Clinics Offers Payment Plans To Manage Your Dental Implant Costs
Most of our patients use a combination of personal savings, insurance, and financing to pay for implants. By taking advantage of our tooth implant financing options, our patients are able to split the total cost of treatment into affordable monthly payments. Some patients have received help from family, friends, or refinancing of other assets.
Want to know more about the cost of dental implants and payment options? Weve got you covered.
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Are Dental Implants Covered By Dental Insurance
Getting dental implants is a type of oral surgery. Dental coverage may cover some of the basic procedures required, such as any extractions or the crowns A breakdown of your specific insurance plan benefits will be necessary to determine exactly what dental implant procedures fall under your package of coverage. But even if implants cost more than what your insurance coverage allows, you can rest assured knowing there are other ways to help pay for the treatment, such as flexible monthly financing options.
Types Of Dental Implants
The type of dental implants you plan on getting will impact how much of it is covered by your dental insurance. For example, there are individual dental implants with crowns, which are used to replace single missing teeth. And then there are implant-supported dental bridges, which are topped on a pair of implants for 3-4 missing teeth. For full mouth implants, you can select an overdenture, All-on-4, or even zygomatic dental implants. Every system and design are priced differently, which will need to be worked into your care plan
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Are Dental Implants Covered By Basic Dental Policies
Typically, basic dental policies dont cover dental implant surgeryor any procedures deemed cosmetic. Unfortunately, many basic policies consider dental implants just thatcosmetic. Implants are so much more than cosmetic though. Dental implants save your jawbone and prevent further dental problems due to missing teeth.
You will want to search for a policy that offers a cosmetic dentistry rider to cover implants. Most riders will cover only a portion of the cost of dental implants. Some could be as much as 50%, others as little as 20% or less.
Sometimes, medical insurance policies will cover a portion of dental implant procedures as well. It just depends on your policy. If you dont have dental insurance on your policy, you can purchase a standalone policy. Some discount dental programs offer some assistance for implants.
You Need Imaging Or Exams To Prove The Diagnosis
Addressing your breast implants might not be as simple as just scheduling an appointment with the plastic surgeon who did the breast augmentation. Depending on the patients insurance, they may see an OB-GYN, a general surgeon, or a primary doctor first, says Dr. Karanetz. The next step would be seeing a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon, getting evaluated and undergoing a physical exam, to see if there is anything wrong with implants.
If your surgeon does suspect a complication, they may send you to get imaging. While you need only a physical exam for diagnosis of capsular contracturefor which photos will usually sufficerupture requires diagnostic imaging. That can cause some issues with insurers. The insurance company will not necessarily pay for the MRI, and the MRI can cost a couple thousand dollars, says Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, a nonprofit that helps consumers navigate their explant options. So thats a bit of a catch-22.
In some cases, you may need to do an ultrasound first, since these tend to be less expensive for insurers than MRIs. The most sensitive and specific diagnostic imaging tool is MRI, says Dr. Karanetz. Sometimes you have to jump through hoops and get approvals and authorizations to get the MRI donebut its the gold standard.
Interested in breast implant removal?
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How To Compare Dental Insurance Companies For Implants
Are you shopping around for dental insurance that will include coverage for implants? Be aware that some insurance plans donât offer implant coverage or may have limits.
When comparing dental insurance providers and the best dental insurance for implants, itâs important to look closely at several factors that determine if and to what extent dental implants are covered. Here are questions to ask when seeking dental coverage for implants.
- Are there waiting periods for dental implants?
- What rate does the dental plan reimburse for dental implants?
- Are there pre-existing conditions that may exclude you from coverage, such as a âmissing tooth clauseâ that will not cover the implant if the tooth itâs replacing was extracted before your dental plan was in place?
- How much does the dental plan reimburse for types of care, including basic and major?
- What is the planâs deductible and coverage maximums and are they annual or lifetime?
- Can you get out-of-network care and how much more do you have to spend if you get out-of-network care?
- Does the plan cover dentures and are there waiting periods?
What Kinds Of Insurance Cover Dental Implants
Some insurance plans cover implants, and some do not. Each patient needs to investigate their options and discuss the extent of the surgery with their oral and maxillofacial surgeon . Questions may include: Is there a prior tooth extraction? What about anesthesia? What about bone grafting?
Patients also should contact their medical and dental insurance companies. Here are some potential scenarios to keep in mind:
- If a dental insurance policy covers implants, be sure to review the plans annual limit as there may be some additional out-of-pocket costs.
- The crown attached to the abutment of a dental implant may be covered under some dental plans.
- Some medical insurance plans are beginning to cover aspects of dental implants, especially if there are medical complications as a result of tooth loss.
- Insurance covering injuries and accidents that require the replacement of one or more teeth may allow for dental implants.
- Benefits depend solely on the individual policy. Do not base your medical budget decisions on anyone elses experience.
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Schedule An Appointment With Babylon Dental Care Today
If you have had a tooth damaged and need an implant, or if it has been more than six months since your last check-up and cleaning, contact our friendly and qualified Babylon Dental Care team at . We will address all your dental concerns in a compassionate and non-judgmental way.
We offer comprehensive examinations and state-of-the-art treatments. Remember, good oral hygiene is one great way to avoid many health issues, so dont forget to schedule routine cleanings.
We understand that you may have some anxiety and fear about going to the dentist. Let our dentists and staff provide the kind of compassionate, inviting dental care experience you deserve.
Will Insurance Cover The Cost Of A Bone Graft For Dental Implants
Insurance will rarely cover the cost of a bone graft for dental implants, even if the coverage pays for other aspects of the dental implant surgery. As with any specifics for coverage, you should check with your specific insurance company to determine exactly what kind of coverage they provide for dental implants, including bone grafts.
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We Offer Affordable Rates To Increase Your Value With Or Without Insurance
Given that few dental insurance plans cover implants at all, our office doesnt process dental insurance for payment. Instead, we offer favorable pricing for dental implants compared to the rest of the market.
One reason these affordable costs are available is because we dont employ extra people to process insurance! By avoiding the costs of processing and collecting insurance claims, we are able to pass those savings on to you. We believe that offering affordable dental implant costs better serves you and better adds value to your procedure.
We also offer one bill with no hidden fees that covers every procedure you will require from start to finish. This is possible because we handle every step of the dental implant process in one location with one team. With this streamlined process, we can lower our own expenses and eliminate unnecessary charges from your bill.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Implants
Many insurance companies don’t cover dental implants because they consider it to be a cosmetic procedure. Some dental insurance plans will partially pay for implants. However, even if you find a carrier that offers a dental insurance plan, it may not be the best option for you forfor reducing the cost of your implants.
Why? Because many insurance policies have annual limits, and these limits usually aren’t nearly enough to cover implants. Most annual limits range from $1,000 to $1,500. Then consider that a single implant can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $6,000, so chances are, you’ll still be paying the bulk of the cost.
Then there’s the fact that insurance companies limit treatment if you have preexisting conditions. So, that may mean that your policy won’t cover treatments for teeth missing before your policy begins. In this case, for your insurance to pay for implants you would have to lose your tooth while you already have the insurance.
Companies also make sure that you don’t buy insurance just because a tooth goes bad by having a six- or 12-month waiting period from the time you sign up to the time your coverage kicks in.
Finally, there are the dreaded monthly premiums. Thankfully, they’re much lower for dental insurance than they are for health insurance, but for a plan that covers dental implants, you could pay up to $80 per month.
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