Dental implants are one of the safest and most effective ways to replace missing teeth. They’re strong, natural-looking, and built to last, but they also come with a cost to match their incredible benefits. If you’re wondering whether your dental insurance will help foot the bill, continue reading. You’ll see what’s usually covered, what isn’t, and how you can maximize your benefits before they disappear at the end of the year.
What Are You Paying for with Dental Implants?
The cost of dental implants is split into several parts:
- The titanium fixture that’s placed into your jawbone
- The abutment, which connects the post to the crown
- The restoration—either a crown, bridge, or other prosthetic
- The surgery itself, which places the fixture
- Any preparatory procedures like sinus lifts or bone grafts
Each piece comes with its own price that will be itemized on your treatment plan. This is because insurance companies may only cover certain parts, not the full procedure.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Many basic dental plans consider implants a “cosmetic” procedure and don’t include them. However, some plans are more flexible, especially if the implant is deemed medically necessary.
If your dental plan doesn’t cover implants, your medical insurance might. This is especially true if your tooth loss was due to an accident, injury, or underlying medical condition. It never hurts to check!
Tips to Maximize Your Coverage
If you’re unsure about your benefits, now is the time to get acquainted with them. You can either try to navigate your plan yourself or ask your dental team to go over it with you. More often than not, they have a lot of experience talking to providers and getting the most out of your coverage.
Here are some great tips to help you squeeze every penny from your provider:
- Ask Your Insurer for a Breakdown: Your dental team can submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance.
- Use Your Benefits Before They Reset: Most, if not all, dental insurance plans renew in January. If you don’t use your coverage, you lose it!
- Look into Payment Options: Many dental offices offer financing through platforms like CareCredit to help uninsured patients.
- Trust Your Dental Team: Once you’ve had your consultation, your dental team will create a treatment plan that works with your insurance.
Dental implants can be fantastic for your health, appearance, and confidence, but understanding your insurance coverage is the first step. While every plan is different, your dental team can help you make the most of your benefits so you don’t leave valuable dollars on the table.
About the Practice
At Deer Park Family Dentistry, we believe that understanding your insurance coverage is just as important as getting the right care. When it comes to dental implants, we take the time to walk you through your benefits and explain what’s covered, what’s not, and how we can help you make the most of your plan. Call (281) 479-2841 to schedule a dental implant consultation with us or visit our website to explore a full menu of our services.