Implant Dental Insurance

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions: Is there implant dental insurance?

The simple answer is yes – but because implants are so expensive coverage is often severely limited.

At their most basic, implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw. Its a relatively painless procedure that can be done under local anesthetic, like a crown. Over time, bone grows around the implants and they become as secure as original tooth roots. At this point, crowns can be screwed into them that look and feel like real teeth. As well as being used to support individual crowns, implants can also be used for bridges and even full upper and lower dentures.

Implants are an option where original teeth have been lost to decay, or in an accident. Their advantage in securing full dentures is obvious – the dentures don’t move around!

Many of those fabulous teeth you see in older Hollywood stars are examples of implant procedures and some celebrities have gone for full mouth implants that can cost $100,000 or more!

A single implant can cost anything from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the size of the tooth, its position in the mouth and the technical challenges involved.

As you can see, implants are a very expensive proposition and out of reach for most people. However, the growing number of baby boomers who want great looking teeth into their senior years means an increasing number are willing to cash in some of their savings for implants.

Now implants are widely regarded by insurance companies as “cosmetic procedures” and not eligible for coverage. As with most dental procedures, insurance companies usually offer coverage on the cheapest available solution to the problem. That said, a few insurance companies will offer limited coverage for implants. The portion they’ll pay is small and subject to deductibles, annual limits etc. And implant coverage is much more expensive than a standard dental plan!

If teeth are lost in an accident like a vehicle collision, a small number of plans will offer to pay a portion of the cost of an implant. Again, the coverage is not generous and you are going to have to dig deep to cover most of the cost yourself. But hey, every little bit helps! Click here to get a free online dental insurance quote.