Are Dental Implants Covered by Dental Insurance?

Are you considering getting a dental implant? If you have a tooth that is missing or severely damaged and needs to be replaced, a dental implant is the best possible solution. The only disadvantage to dental implants is the cost. Dental implants are considered to be the gold standard of tooth replacement options, and the price tag proves it.

Will dental insurance help cover the cost of dental implants? What about medical insurance? It depends on the situation and a few different factors.

To understand insurance coverage related to dental implants, it helps to understand the procedure.

A dental implant is a complete artificial tooth and root system. The implant root is made of titanium, which is a biocompatible material. The titanium root is surgically placed in the jaw where it fuses with the bone to form a secure hold. The abutment, a small post that sticks up above the gums, is then attached to the implant root. The crown attaches to the abutment and the process is complete.

The implant looks and functions as closely as possible to your natural tooth, which is why it is considered to be the best tooth replacement option.

As with most insurance plans and providers, there are very specific stipulations that apply to if and how dental implants are covered.

• Some dental insurance plans include coverage for dental implants, but most don’t. Most dental insurance plans consider implants to be a cosmetic procedure, which is a category of dental services that is not usually covered. If they are covered, the amount or percentage of coverage depends on your plan.
• In some cases the crown portion of the implant is covered by dental insurance but the implant root is covered by medical insurance.
• If the original tooth was lost because of a medical condition, medical insurance may cover the implant.
• If the original tooth was lost due to an accident, the implant may be covered under accident or medical insurance.
• Most dental and medical insurance plans have a deductible that must be met first before coverage will apply. If the cost of one dental implant is below the deductible, you may have to pay for it out of pocket.
• Many dental insurance plans also have an annual maximum. If this is the case, you may want to try and split the different procedures across two different years. For example, you could get the implant root placed in December and then wait until January to have the abutment and crown attached.

Don’t forgo the procedure simply because your insurance plan doesn’t cover it. Dental implants have many benefits over other tooth replacement options, such as bridges. A bridge does damage to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth and may not last forever. An implant will most likely last for the rest of your life.

Financing options can make the dental implant procedure more affordable. CareCredit is designed specifically for medical and dental procedures. With no interest financing and low monthly payments, you can afford to get the dental implant you need.

At 508 Dentist, one of our specialties is the placement of dental implants. We will do our best to appeal to your insurance provider to get your procedure covered if at all possible. If not, we offer CareCredit financing to make the cost more affordable. We believe every patient should have the option to get the very best treatment option for their particular situation. No one should settle for less than the best dental care because of financial limitations.

Call 508-336-8478 today to schedule a consultation or request an appointment. We look forward to providing you with the best possible tooth replacement option.