Are you frustrated by how difficult it is to eat, talk, or smile without all of your teeth? Then you may have looked into replacing them with dental implants. By far the most complex and lifelike tooth replacement, dental implants also tend to come with a higher price tag than dentures and dental bridges. You might be wondering whether your dental insurance provider will cover some of the costs. Learn the answer by reading on!
Are Dental Implants Covered by Dental Insurance?
In short, it depends. Most dental insurance plans provide ample coverage for basic preventive care and some for restorative treatments. However, they tend to primarily cover the least expensive service that will address a particular oral health issue. For instance, dental insurance is likely to cover up to 50% of the cost of dentures or bridges, but they’re unlikely to extend that same coverage to dental implants. The latter involves oral surgery, after all.
With that being said, your plan may very well cover some aspects of the dental implant process, even if it doesn’t pay for the implants themselves or their surgical placement. It’s common, for example, for insurance to partially cover the crown, bridge, or denture that goes on top of your implants. Your plan may also help you afford gum disease therapy or other preliminary treatments that you may need prior to implant surgery.
What About Medical Insurance?
Your medical insurance might end up playing a role in the cost of your dental implant treatment. There are a few specific circumstances in which medical insurance may elect to cover dental implants. Typically, they’ll do so if your tooth loss was the result of:
- Physical trauma caused by an unexpected accident
- Congenitally missing teeth
- A medical condition that leads to tooth loss
Because the specifics can vary from plan to plan, you should definitely check with your specific provider about whether your medical or dental plan will cover dental implants.
Why Dental Implants Are Worth Every Single Penny
While the cost of dental implants may seem intimidating at first, rest assured that it’s 100% worth it. Dental implants are an investment that will more than pay for themselves in the long run. How so? They’re capable of lasting for 30 years or even a lifetime with very basic care. This means you shouldn’t have to pay for the cost of replacing a bridge or denture every few years, saving you even more money over time. Plus, dental implants keep your jawbone strong and healthy, helping you avoid the costs of treating oral health issues associated with jawbone loss.
If you’re concerned about being unable to afford dental implants, don’t be afraid to talk to your dentist or periodontist. They’ll be more than happy to explore your financial options and help you attain a healthy new smile without breaking the bank!
About the Practice
At Rocky Mountain Periodontal Specialists, our team of three skilled periodontists in Colorado Springs offers a vast array of periodontal services, including dental implant surgery. We’ll gladly maximize benefits for virtually any dental insurance plan to ensure you get the most out of your coverage. Additionally, we work with CareCredit, which allows qualified patients to split up their treatment costs into monthly payments rather than one lump sum. To learn more about your options for paying for dental implants, contact us today by calling (719) 574-4867.