Dental Implant Insurance Coverage for Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

Tooth loss may occur because of tooth decay, gum disease, accidents, congenital defects, excessive wear and tear and root canal failure. A dental implant is an artificial replacement for a lost tooth. In fact, it is the best way of replacing a lost tooth. The implant uses titanium which fuses with the jawbone preventing bone loss. It is a permanent but expensive prosthetic solution.

Dental Implants Vs. Cheaper Alternatives

Removable dentures and dental bridges are the commonly suggested cheaper alternatives to tackle the problem of tooth loss. Dental bridges generally last for 5 to 7 years, and are recommended in case fewer teeth need to be replaced. They use the adjacent teeth for support and may damage the teeth that act as anchors. Dental bridge work may fail in case the person suffers from gum disease. Removable dentures rest on the gum and may result in bone loss in the area where the tooth is missing. They are not a permanent solution, and are a source of embarrassment to some people.

The cost of a basic dental implant is somewhere between $1,250 and $3,000. However, depending upon the complexity of the situation, the cost can be as much as $30,000. Compared to this, traditional dental bridge work costs between $500 and 900 (per tooth). Hence, the need for dental insurance implants arises.

Dental Implant Insurance Coverage for Dental Implants

In the US, only 47% of the population has dental health coverage. Considering the exorbitant cost of dental care, dental insurance is a must. However, a dental insurance policy does not cover all the necessary dental procedures. According to the Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (LEAT) clause, the insurance company is expected to cover the least cost alternative treatment. Moreover, dental implants also fall under the category of cosmetic dentistry. Hence, the insurance company may not cover dental implants. In some cases, the company may agree to cover a portion of the bill, leaving the remaining cost of the procedure to be borne by the individual seeking treatment. Some insurance companies offer dental implant insurance, but have a pre-existing condition exclusion period of 1 year. Even if an insurance company agrees to cover the cost of dental implants, the waiting period is very long. All these issues make dental implants a prohibitively expensive procedure both in terms of money and time. Fortunately, there are ways of working around this problem.

Cost Effective Ways of Obtaining Dental Implants

Seeking Treatment Outside the US: The cost of traveling to a foreign country to seek medical treatment is a surprisingly affordable option. In fact, in Romania, a US made dental implant is available for as low as $500. The entire procedure, including travel expenses, would add up to less than one third of the cost of the procedure in the US.

Approaching a Dental School: This is not a bad option for people who are in desperate need of a dental implant. A dental school may be willing to perform the procedure even for free, as a part of dental research studies. Of course, the problem should be interesting and complicated enough to compel the dental school to handle the case!

Alternative to Dental Implants Meant for Cosmetic Reasons: Sometimes, women opt for dental implants to show more teeth while speaking or laughing. Women with small teeth generally face this problem. Injecting collagen into the lips can help achieve the same goal at a lower price.

Dental implants may be costly but necessary for good dental health. Dental implants meant for cosmetic reasons can be put off indefinitely. In case the implants are meant to improve dental health, a person should try seeking dental care even if it involves overseas travel.