There’s no denying it: implants are amazing restorations! They look and feel natural and are stronger than any other kind of tooth replacement option. Implants can preserve the shape of your smile, strengthen bone in your jaw, and even improve your oral health.
You’re already sold on the idea of replacing your lost teeth with dental implants. So the question now is, how can you afford them?
You might need some dental insurance to cover at least part of the cost. This guide will help you make the right choice when it comes to choosing the best insurance for dental implants.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Unfortunately, dental implants are not covered by most dental insurance plans. They’re categorized as luxury or cosmetic treatments and most insurers will only pay for procedures they consider “necessary” such as fillings and cleanings.
'But the good news is that the trend is shifting as more dental insurance providers recognize dental implants as medically-necessary treatments that last a long time.'
What Insurance Covers Dental Implants?
Dental implants are only now starting to get more coverage from insurance companies. It’s difficult to find a plan that clearly lists dental implant coverage benefits.
You may have to contact an insurance agent directly to ask how much they’re willing to pay out for dental implants and what the restrictions are.
An indemnity insurance plan may be your best option for getting dental implants covered by dental insurance. This is also called “traditional dental insurance.” It’s where you pay for a service and then submit the bill to the insurer for them to reimburse all or part of the cost.
Before signing up for an indemnity plan, however, you’ll still need to make sure that you understand the company’s policy for covering implants. Indemnity insurance usually covers just about every kind of dental treatment and has a higher maximum benefit cap. It also will cost you a lot more than regular dental insurance.
Look into your medical insurance coverage if implants aren’t included in your dental plan. A dental implant procedure can often be classified as a medical necessity. Check with your medical insurance provider to see if you can get the procedure covered by them.
5 Best Dental Insurance Plans for Dental Implants
Interested in a traditional dental plan to pay for implants? We’ve collected a list of five options that provide some level of dental implant coverage. Take a look and see if any of these are right for you.
Price
About $40 per person per month.
Plans
PPO, DMO, dental indemnity, Dental Access dental discount plan.
Discounts
Multiple discounts offered on weight loss programs, health products, gym memberships, vision and hearing care, and others.
Waiting Period
No waiting period if you were insured at the time you switched over to Aetna.
What it covers: Diagnostic and preventive procedures are covered at 100% while basic and major treatments are covered at 50%. Up to 80% of the cost of basic services are covered with certain plans. Depending on the plan, dental implants can be partly covered, especially if the procedure is medically necessary.
What else you should know about Aetna: Aetna is large and popular with a network of more than 339,000 dentists in the United States. It’s well-known for its app and website which are easy to navigate and make it easy for you to track claims, submit paperwork, and make payments.
There is not much difference in price between the basic and comprehensive plans; the basic insurance pricey but the comprehensive coverage is quite reasonable.
Aetna also offers dental savings plans to help you afford implants if you can’t find an insurance plan that meets your needs.
Price
Ranges from $89 per year to $179 per year.
Plans
Careington 500 Dental Savings Plan, Careington Discount Dental Plan.
Discounts
Discounts on vision care and prescription medication.
Waiting Period
None
What it covers: The Careington 500 Dental Savings Plan will save you 20-60% on routine dental services. Covered procedures include cosmetic procedures such as dental implants.
What else you should know about Careington: Careington’s plans are not technically insurance plans; they are dental savings and discount plans. Not all of the plans cover implants so you’ll need to check on that detail before choosing one. Careington members typically enjoy a 20% discount on dental implants.
Before purchasing a plan from Careington, make sure you know what the fee schedule includes and where you can find a dentist who is experienced in accepting Careington’s
Price
Plans start at only $8.25 per month.
Plans
Avia Dental Discount Plan (Individual, Group, Family, and Senior).
Discounts
Discounts on vision care and prescription medication.
Waiting Period
None
What it covers: Save 20 to 70% on the cost of dental treatment including dental implants.
What else you should know about Avia: Avia is also a dental discount plan as opposed to actual insurance. It can work as a supplement to your existing coverage if you already have insurance or Medicare that doesn’t cover dental implants.
Price
Comprehensive coverage starts at around $50 per person per month. Basic coverage starts at $16.40.
Plans
Varies by state. Three popular plans include: Gold PPO, Diamond PPO, and Immediate Coverage.
Discounts
Some vision benefits are available with certain plans.
Waiting Period
There is no waiting period for preventive treatment coverage but there is for other services. The waiting period may be waived if you were recently covered by another insurer before switching to Delta.
What it covers: 100% on preventive treatment, up to 80% on basic treatment, and 50% on major. While dental implants aren’t usually covered in the plans, if your dentist recommends them, he or she should send in the treatment plan and x-rays to Delta for a predetermination of coverage.
What else you should know about Avia: Some of Delta’s plans do cover implants up to 50%, but with certain restrictions. Delta Dental is generally considered to be one of the best dental insurances for families on a limited budget. Depending on where you live, there’s likely a Delta plan out there that will suit your needs.
Price
Plans start out at around $50 per person per month.
Plans
Loyalty Plus and Preventive Plus (both PPO plans); Dental Value Plan C550 (DHMO plan).
Discounts
25% discount on specialist services.
Waiting Period
With Humana’s Loyalty Plus Plan, there is no waiting period even on major procedures including oral surgery.
What it covers: Preventive treatment is covered at 100%, basic is covered at up to 70%, and major treatments are covered at up to 50%. Implants are not specifically covered, but there may be a provision for them as an alternative benefit listed on certain plans.
What else you should know about Avia: Humana Insurance is a financially-secure institution that offers coverage in every single state and even Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Humana has a strong reputation that you can rely on. You’ll get the best deal if you choose an HMO or PPO plan rather than indemnity insurance.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
The primary Medicare plans, Medicare A and Medicare B, do not cover dental treatments. If you have medical expenses connected with dental treatment, however, then you might have that portion paid for by Medicare.
For example, let’s say that you need to have a dental examination and cleaning in preparation for a major surgery. Medicare would most likely cover the dental treatment since it is a necessary part of your medical treatment.
Enrolling in the Medicare Advantage Plan, however, can provide you with coverage for dental treatment including implants. Also known as Medicare C, Medicare Advantage plans vary and they aren’t all available in every state. You’ll have to search through the plans in your area to find out the best coverage option.
Cost of Implants: How Much Are Dental Implants?
Like buying a new car or paying for college, getting dental implants is a major purchase. Replacing lost teeth with implants is an excellent way to invest in your smile, but it’s an expensive investment, nonetheless.
Knowing the full cost of a dental implant procedure will help you prepare for this investment.
How Much Do Full Dental Implants Cost?
The average costs of single and full dental implants look something like this:
| Procedure | Total Treatment Cost (Without Insurance) |
|---|---|
| Single dental implant | $5,000 |
| Single implant with tooth extraction | $5,500 |
| Single implant with bone grafting | $8,000 |
| Full-mouth dental implants (implant-supported dentures) | Up to $90,000 |
As you can see, there’s a lot of room for variation!
The price of your dental implant procedure will depend on factors like: how complex your case is, how many additional procedures you need, where you live, the quality of the materials used, and how experienced your dentist is.
How Much Does Dental Insurance Pay for Dental Implants?
It’s hard to say exactly how much an insurer will pay for dental implants. Most insurance companies don’t list implants as a covered service so it takes a little digging to find out what they will cover.
'How much your dental insurance pays for implants depends entirely on your insurer and the unique plan you choose.'
If you need dental implants for medical reasons, then your medical insurance may pick up the entire bill. If your dental insurer agrees to cover implants, then you may still be responsible for a significant portion of the total treatment cost.
How to Pay for Dental Implants Without Insurance
Just because you might not have a dental insurance plan that covers implants doesn’t mean you can’t get them. Implants have so many benefits that you can’t write them off entirely! You won’t regret getting dental implants even if you have to pay for them out-of-pocket; they are an investment that pays for itself over the years.
Still, paying for dental implants without insurance doesn’t mean that you have to break the bank. Here are just a few ways you can comfortably afford quality implants:
- Visit a dental school for discounted treatment
- Ask an implant dentist about in-office financing options including CareCredit
- Calculate the tax break you could receive for paying for implants out-of-pocket
- Budget and save up to fund your dental implant procedure
- Travel to different areas to compare prices for dental implants
Supplemental Dental Insurance for Implants
If your regular dental insurance doesn’t cover implants or if you’ve maxed out your benefits, then you might consider a supplemental plan. Supplemental dental insurance can cover major procedures like dental implants with no waiting period, no deductible, no restrictions, and no spending limits. It can cost as much as regular insurance but there are some good deals out there.
Supplemental dental insurance is perfect for those times when you or a family member suddenly needs major treatment that isn’t included in your current insurance plan.
FAQ
If dental implants are medically-necessary in your situation, then your medical insurance provider may pay for at least part of the procedure. This is not true of most Medicare plans, however.
Most dental insurance companies still view dental implants as cosmetic or unnecessary it’s hard to find a dental insurance that covers implants.
No, orthodontics is the practice of straightening the alignment of natural teeth. Dental implant treatment does not fall into the orthodontics category.
On average, dental implants cost around $5,000.
Most people in the United States will pay between $300 and $400 a year per person for dental insurance coverage.
There may be other plans and financing options out there which provide better coverage than your current insurance. Exploring other options will help you discover the best way to save on dental implants.
The title of this article is misleading: “How to Get The Best Dental Insurance for Implants” — Because the article itself admits that very few insurance providers cover implants. Don’t buy any dental insurance underwritten by Ameritas. You will have to look closely at the policy to see if it is associated with Ameritas. Plans called Alpha, “Denali dental” or “Hollywood smile” or “Dallas smile” are all Ameritas and the company has a history of complaints both from customers and dentists