Insurance for Dental Implants

A dental implant, in simple terms, means a suitable replacement for a natural tooth. A patient may need to get an implant because of tooth loss, which can. Happen because of many reasons, including gum or periodontal diseases, tooth decay, accidents, congenital defects and root canal failure.

During the implantation procedure, a dentist uses titanium that fuses with the jawbone and prevents bone loss.  Implants are the best option if you're looking for a tooth substitute that's as close to the real deal as possible.  However, the procedure is quite expensive.  It can be hard to pay for dental implants unless you're covered by an insurance policy.

To find a dental insurance policy that covers dental implants is not easy. That is mainly because there are not too many people looking for that sort of coverage. Insurance companies generally tend to include the most sought after procedure options. Insurers ultimately look out for their bottom line, and if it makes little financial sense to include dental implants in a policy, then that's the road they'll take.

If your insurer offers a dental plan, read the clauses that mention coverage in detail. Many times a policy holder may assume that the policy covers all his dental implant expenses. But, in most cases, the policy only partially covers the expenses of having a dental implant.  Be aware of the exact extent of coverage to avoid any nasty surprises later. Also know that you may have to foot part of the expenses yourself, in addition to your premiums.  That is because there are other expenses i.e. co-pays and deductibles, that have to be taken into account.

Also know that you are going to be paying higher premiums for this kind of coverage. Besides, it can take some looking to find a policy that offers a reasonable amount of cover for dental implants, and also has premiums that you can afford. Find out the maximum policy amount, and determine if it’s an annual amount or a lifetime amount.  Annual maximums may be lower. Remember that even if you find a good policy, the waiting period for these payouts can be prohibitively long.

Don’t simply rely on your policy agent - go through the documents yourself. If you have doubts about any of the clauses, call the insurance company. Write down the name of the company executive you need to speak to. This will help to keep a record of all the details, if you end up suing the insurance company for claims denial, for late payment of claims or other insurance disputes that may arise.  

The most common remedy for tooth losses is to get removable or fixed dentures.  While these may be more widespread in use and more affordable, they are not a substitute for your own natural lost tooth.  Besides, dentures could cause bone loss. Dental implants are long lasting, strong, reliable and allow you to eat and chew as you would normally with your original tooth. In other words, these are worth every penny that you have to pay for them, and are worth the effort in finding a dental insurance company that will cover them.