Getting straight answers about what your health and dental insurance provider can cover can be confusing. Especially for specialty procedures like dental implants. Patients often call our dentist and ask whether their insurance will cover the cost of dental implants, All-on-Four dentures, and implant-supported prosthetics.
However, it can vary based on what insurance you have and what type of implant treatment you receive. Our Virginia Beach dental office will work with you and your insurance company to create a plan that fits your budget.
Understanding Dental Insurance Coverage
Many insurance companies view dental implants as purely a cosmetic procedure. It they say the procedure is not medically necessary, they will not cover it. But anyone who is missing teeth could tell them that replacing their missing teeth is critical to their health and wellbeing. Getting your dental implant procedure covered may require using both medical and dental insurance coverage.
Review your insurance policy to see whether or not it lists dental implants or related procedures. Related procedures can include bone grafts, tooth extractions, and gum restorations. Before getting any procedure, it’s important to ask your insurance provider questions about coverage. Make sure there are no expensive surprises:
- Does the plan cover implants?
- What percentage of the procedure does the policy cover?
- What is my annual maximum out-of-pocket cost?
- Do I need a referral before receiving dental implants?
The staff at Coastal Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry can work directly with your insurance company. We will determine what your insurance plan can cover, including any part of your treatment plan.
Are Implants Covered By My Insurance?
To determine whether your insurance will cover the cost of dental implants, you have to look at some factors. You need to understand the different parts of the treatment and how much mouth preparation you will need. The cost of the implant treatment also depends on whether you are receiving a full arch of new teeth or just replacing one or two lost teeth.
Tooth Extraction
The need for a tooth extraction is dependent on whether you are already missing teeth or if you still have damaged teeth. Our dental implant specialists need to extract a damaged tooth before we can replace it. If so, this procedure will be part of your dental implant treatment plan. Most insurance companies usually cover tooth extractions, or at least in part.
Bone Grafting
Prior to the implant procedure, we will make sure the implant will be secure and stable. To do this, we check your jaw bone to make sure it’s strong enough to support the posts. Some patients will require bone grafting to strengthen their underlying jawbone. Insurance might not cover this part of the implant procedure, although it is a crucial step.
Placing the Implant
The implant placement procedure is a major surgical procedure. But do no fear the word “major” though. This is a term insurance companies like to use that does not always reflect the intensity of treatment. Some plans may cover up to 50 percent of major procedures.
Placing the Artificial Tooth
The artificial tooth, called a crown in dental parlance, restores the appearance and functionality of a natural tooth. Placing the crown is also a major procedure. However, some insurance plans view no difference between crowns for implants and crowns for tooth decay. They may cover more of the cost, so check directly with your insurance company.
Request a Dental Implant Consultation Near You
We understand that working with limitations posed by your insurance and your budget can be challenging. The Coastal Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry staff will work with you and your insurance company. We will offer you the best treatment based on your needs and budget. Get a long-lasting smile and schedule a consultation online or call 757-656-6368 today.
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