Dental implants are an effective and good looking permanent substitution for missing teeth. The collocation of them involves different procedures, and the implant itself might be considerably expensive. Therefore, many people start to wonder if their medical or dental insurance covers the expenses, or at least a part of them.
To do this, it is very important to assess each case, including the reason why they need the procedure, the insurance plan, and the consequences of not having the surgery done.
For your convenience, in this article, we will give you information about the costs, alternatives, and options to get insurance coverage on your dental implants.
Dental implants cost
Contents
The dental implant is a very solid replacement for any missing tooth. It involves a three-part system that is surgically inserted into the jaw bone (to do the job of the natural root), with a replacement tooth on it, to provide a comfortable chewing function and a very natural smile.
The cost of this procedure depends on the different factors about how it is made, such as:
- The type of implant.
- The number of pieces.
- Which teeth need the procedure.
- The conditions of your jaw’s bone (that sometimes needs a previous surgery to be able to receive the implant).
- And, as the bone needs to heal around the new artificial root, it is a process that takes several months.
Just for your knowledge, only one implant can cost between $1.500 and $10.000. Based on this, we can say that getting a dental implant is a major procedure.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Generally, medical insurances and regular dental insurances do not cover dental implants; some even have specific exclusions on this topic because they consider it a cosmetic procedure. Most plans only cover routine dental care and emergencies.
However, you should always for more information and confirm it according to your situation.
- First, talk to your oral surgeon to know the details of the treatment you need.
- Then, check with your medical/dental insurance company to see which parts of the procedure can be covered by them. If the costs overpass your maximum annual limit, you will have to pay the remaining difference out of your pocket.
If you do not have insurance and you feel that you might need implants in the future, it could be a good idea to start looking for one. Try Healthcare.gov to see a few options.
Medical need for dental implants
On the other hand, some insurance policies may accept the coverage of dental implants if they are considered a medical need. This happens when you damaged or lost your tooth due to:
- A medical condition.
- In an accident.
- In the treatment of a tumor.
- As the result of a congenital disorder.
Also, missing one or several teeth can cause other consequences because it changes the dynamic of your mouth; not replacing the missing piece can lead to a severe atrophy on the jaw’s bone, affecting the mastication and becoming in nutritional and digestive problems.
So, attending these kinds of oral problems can be taken as a medical need, and you could receive an insurance reimburse for the expenses. But remember:
- You must have an insurance that does not exclude medically-necessary implants.
- Seek for a dental professional or team that has experience in the use of medical insurance in complex dental cases.
- Your diagnosis has to represent a true medical necessity.
➡ READ ALSO: What is Long-Term Care Insurance
Alternatives on the financing and treatment
If none of the options presented before are suitable for your case, do not lose hope. There are still other things you could do.
Even when your insurance does not cover dental implants, it might cover other alternatives that are less expensive, like partial dentures and bridges. But if you still want the implants, sometimes the insurance company will agree to give you an allowance equivalent to the cost, and this will cover part of the treatment.
Some dental clinics have financing programs that help patients to split the payments into monthly fees, like the EON Clinics. Also, you can ask your dentist or oral surgeon to put you in contact with an organization that helps to finance dental care.
