Implant Insurance

Modern dentistry has come so much further in the last ten years, that now even dental implants are possible. These procedures allow for partials or dentures to actually be affixed to implants that attach so securely to the partial or denture that there is absolutely no chance of losing them no matter what you do. Dental implants allow the person to "feel" what they are biting into so that in effect, they feel as if they have their own teeth. When people have their own teeth, they can easily control the amount of biting pressure they are putting into their food, whereas a full denture wearer no longer has that sense, making it very difficult to control.

Another reason for implants may be the loss of teeth due to an accident. Granted, if the tooth is replaced quickly enough, it may "take" but sometimes too much time has elapsed, and the tooth cannot be re-affixed. Implants can actually make up for that tooth loss, and will be indistinguishable from the rest of your teeth. It is a type of surgery that attaches or "roots" the implant into the bone tissue where your natural tooth was located. Chances are that after the surgery heals, you may not even be aware that it is not your natural tooth.

Implants are extremely costly. No "regular" dental insurance covers the high cost of such procedures, and worse yet, many regular dental plans determine that any implants are considered a cosmetic procedure. Thus, some insurance companies have now created dental implant insurance to cover for such procedures.

There are various limitations put on most of these dental implant insurance policies. For instance, there may be a waiting period as high as one year, or sometimes even longer, before you are allowed to have surgery for an implant. Some policies will not allow implants if you had the condition prior to purchasing the insurance policy.

Therefore, it behooves you to be extremely careful when considering such a policy. Read it thoroughly, and be sure to question anything that you feel you do not understand. The person who is your dental insurance agent should be able to answer any of your questions.

Pay special attention to dental plan riders. Many do not cover implants because the insurance company may feel that there are other lower cost alternatives to an implant. Verify that this kind of rider is not included in any dental policy that you are seriously considering.

Now, even if you have dental implant insurance, you will find that it still will not pay for the entire cost of the procedure. You will have to take some financial responsibility for dental implants. Chances are that there will be a high co-pay involved, or perhaps your insurance will only pay a certain percentage against the cost. The other manner in which this is handled is that sometimes you will have to meet a certain deductible prior to requesting dental implants.

Of course you should expect that any dental insurance that covers implants would have substantially higher payments. On rare occasions, a dental plan will offer dental implant coverage through an employer.