Find Dental Implant Doctors
           
ZIP
  Radius
Find Your Doctor
Become a Dental Implant Solutions Doctor
Click Here
Dental implant questions and answers
Dental Implants
Traditional Dental Implants
  • Dental Implant
  • Dental Implant Costs
  • Dental Implant Dentures
  • Dental Implant Dentists
  • Implant Dental
Dental Implant Information

 

Does insurance cover dental implants?


Dental implants are a revolutionary treatment for the replacement of missing teeth. While this procedure can safely and effectively restore your smile, the restoration does come at a cost. When researching dental implant procedures, many individuals wonder whether dental implants are covered by insurance. The answer to that questions depends largely on each individual policy.

While some policies do provide coverage for dental implantation, rarely is the coverage substantial. Most dental insurance policies are designed to only cover basic care, routine maintenance and emergencies. Since dental implants are none of those, coverage is often limited.

When setting fees for dental procedures, insurance companies use statistical data to determine the most common procedures that patients submit on their claims. These claims also help insurance companies to determine the specific restrictions and limitations for each plan. Because most dental plans are designed to cover just the basics, there is an annual maximum allowable benefit of $1,000 to $1,500 on most standard plans.

Most companies exclude implants as a covered benefit, however some will pay the same benefit they would cover for the lowest costing alternative treatment options (crowns, partials and dentures). If an individual policy does include coverage for implants, the amount of coverage will still be limited to the annual maximum allowable.

Some patients that do not have adequate coverage on their dental insurance will turn to their medical insurance. There have been some cases in which medical insurance has covered dental implants—most often due to total tooth loss that was a result of medical complications. Work related injuries and other types of accidents that lead to tooth loss are considered separate cases and are sometimes covered by insurance. Medicare does not cover dental implant treatments at all.

Insurance coverage for dental implants will depend on each individual policy but overall, medical coverage for dental implants is very rare.

When speaking with your dentist, it is always good to check to see if your insurance does cover some or all of your treatment, but for most patients, it is best to assume that there is limited dental insurance coverage available and no medical insurance coverage available.