Dental insurance can go a long way toward making a variety of procedures more affordable. So if you plan on having dental implants placed, your natural thought will be to use your insurance plan to help pay for the treatment. But are implants covered by dental insurance? The question is simple, but there’s a bit more to the answer than you might think.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
First, it’s worth taking the time to review how dental insurance works. Essentially, in exchange for a premium, your insurance company will help pay for a variety of dental procedures. The treatments that are covered can vary depending on what policy you have. Keep in mind that in many cases, you will have to meet an annual deductible before your insurance company pays for anything.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
The bad news is that your insurance provider likely won’t pay for the dental implants themselves. Currently, insurance plans often classify dental implants to be a cosmetic procedure and thus don’t cover them. Of course, not all plans are alike, so you can always reach out to your insurance company to double-check.
It should be noted, however, that while the dental implants themselves may not be covered, your plan may pay for certain portions of the overall dental implant process. Some examples include:
- Tooth Extraction: If a tooth has been damaged but is still in your jaw, it will need to be removed before dental implants can be placed. You can typically expect your dental insurance to at least partially cover a tooth extraction.
- Gum Disease Therapy: Gum disease can lead to dental implant failure, so it should be treated before the implant posts are placed in your jaw. Many insurance plans are willing to help pay for a variety of gum disease treatments.
- Artificial Teeth: Crowns, bridges, and dentures can all be attached to dental implants. Each type of prosthesis can potentially be eligible for dental insurance coverage.
What Can You Do If Dental Insurance Doesn’t Pay for Dental Implants?
If your insurance company isn’t willing to cover dental implants, you may find yourself wondering whether there’s any other way to make the treatment more affordable. In many cases, CareCredit financing can be a good option. CareCredit allows you to pay for a variety of procedures in budget-friendly installments, and they offer a number of low-to-no-interest payment plans. You can check with your dentist to see if their practice accepts CareCredit financing.
In summary, while dental insurance likely won’t pay for dental implants, they can still help make the process of getting them more affordable. Remember that you can always talk with the team at your dentist’s office if you need help understanding the specifics of your insurance plan.
About the Practice
Here at Bell Dental, we have been improving the smiles of patients in Louisville for more than 20 years. We want to make the process of getting dental implants as easy as possible for our patients, which is why we complete the entire procedure under a single roof. We take a variety of dental insurance plans and also offer third-party financing through CareCredit. To schedule a consultation at Bell Dental, visit our website or call (502) 749-2355.