Dental Implants and Insurance

Question submitted by: Zack

I’m losing my teeth. I think I’m a candidate for dental implants I was wondering if dental insurance will cover that. If not, will medical insurance? Without teeth, my health will tank so it feels relevant.

Zack

Dear Zack,

Let’s start with the medical insurance idea. It will not cover your dental implants. While I know not having teeth does impact your health, the medical insurance companies shunt anything dental to your dental insurance.

As for the dental insurance, if you already have dental insurance, it will cover a percentage of the procedure. How much that percentage is will depend on your insurance policy. In most cases, dental insurance will only cover a significant amount of the least expensive procedure.

In your case, that would mean getting removable dentures. Not only are they the least comfortable option, but it will also reduce your chewing capacity by a minimum of 50%. Though, the worst part is that your jawbone will start shrinking. After ten or so years, that will mean that you no longer have enough jawbone to keep your dentures in place. In dental circles, this is known as facial collapse. Dental implants is the only way to prevent this, so it is worth the extra expense.

If you do not already have dental insurance, that is not going to work in your favor. Even if they do cover things such as dental implants, they will have a waiting period for big procedures like this. Generally, that will be about a one year waiting period.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by an advanced prosthodontist in Tucson, Dr. Harold Steinberg.