Your dental insurance has long been a reliable source of coverage for preventive dental care like cleanings and check-ups. Though it was designed to ensure your smile remains healthy, it still may offer benefits for restorative and emergency care, depending on the individual plan. If you’ve been considering replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you may be wondering if your policy will pay for them. Here’s what you can expect from most insurers, and why if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it!
Does My Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
While all plans differ, many dental insurance policies do cover at least some portion of the entire dental implant treatment. However, there often is more to getting them than just the prosthetic and implantation surgery. You may also require preliminary procedures such as:
- Tooth extractions- if you have any loose or damaged teeth that will need to be removed before they can be replaced, this will add to the cost of your treatment. Typically, this is covered in full or at least partially.
- Bone grafting – though it is not required for everyone, if your jawbone has weakened due to missing teeth, gum disease, or other reasons, you may need a bone graft before you can get dental implants. Although if required this procedure must be done before your dental implants can be attached, your dental insurance still may not cover it.
In addition to the above, the surgical implantation procedure and the placement of the crown are separate costs that many insurance companies will cover at 50 percent or more.
How Dental Insurance Works
Dental insurance plans operate by featuring something called an annual maximum, which is the most it will cover for treatment within a calendar year. For example, if your plan’s maximum is $1,000 and your treatment exceeds this amount, you would be required to pay the remaining balance out-of-pocket.
Because dental implants can easily exceed that amount, often the reason they don’t cover dental implants is because of coverage limitations. In other cases, some plans will explicitly exclude dental implants because they consider them a cosmetic treatment and not a medical necessity.
When Should I Get Dental Implants If I Have Dental Insurance?
If you are fortunate enough to have dental insurance coverage that includes any portion of dental implant treatment, be aware that your policy will likely reset each January 1st. This means that if you don’t use your benefits within the calendar year, you will not be able to carry them over into the new year, and you will essentially lose your hard-earned money. Thus, it is best to get started on your dental implant treatment as soon as you can; both before you’ve exceeded your annual maximum and before your coverage resets in January.
Furthermore, be aware that dental implant treatment can often take many months to complete, especially if you require preliminary treatment like bone grafting or tooth extraction, as your mouth must heal properly before your dental implants can be placed.
Remember, though your dental insurance plan may not completely cover dental implants, often at least a portion of treatment is. Don’t let another year pass by without having the beautiful smile you deserve. Speak to your dental team about whether you’re a good candidate for these impactful restorations and let them assist you in verifying coverage with your individual plan.
About Dr. Patel
Dr. Haren Patel first studied dentistry at Gujarat University and earned his degree in 2002. After moving to the United States in 2005, he pursued a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He is a current, active member of the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association. If you would like to learn more about dental implants, please schedule a consultation at Dream Dental today by visiting our website or calling us at 770-592-7000.