You have multiple missing teeth, and you just finished talking with your dentist about ways to replace them. You know your options and understand the pros and cons of each, but what about the cost? Everyone knows dental implants in Wheaton is a costly investment, but when compared to other methods of restorative dentistry, it is actually more cost-effective in the long run. To find out more about the financial aspect of this type of dentistry service, let’s take a look at the cost of dental implants with and without insurance, as well as how impactful insurance can be on your decision to move forward with this tooth replacement option.
Will Insurance Cover My Dental Implants?
Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered with a “yes” or “no.” The reason is that every dental insurance policy is different, which means, you will need to review your individual plan to find out if your insurance will cover any or all of your dental implant procedure. Some companies will pay for certain aspects, including:
- Initial consultation
- Anesthesia or sedation
- Abutments
- Custom restoration
The first step to take is to do one of two things: call your insurance company to find out if coverage is possible, or you can talk to a designated insurance coordinator at your dental office to see if they can help you navigate your policy and its benefits.
Most dental offices accept most major PPO dental insurance plans, it just simply means asking when you call. In fact, your dental office staff will most likely file the claim on your behalf, eliminating the headache you could experience trying to do it yourself.
Are Financing Options Available?
If you don’t have insurance but need dental work, it’s important that you speak to a staff member in your dentist office to find out about financing options. Your dentist in Wheaton might offer CareCredit, which is a low-to-no interest financing plan. This helps to spread out the cost of your treatment into manageable payments.
The cost of dental implants isn’t cheap, so if you need your payments to extend over several months in order for it to meet your budget, CareCredit is a suitable solution for both you and your dentist.
What Factors Are Considered When Determining the Cost of Dental Implants?
You and your dentist will need to discuss the entire process of having dental implants placed. From the initial examination to the surgical placement and post-operative care, every stage has a price tag associated with it, but what might be surprising to you are some of the more individual factors that can influence the overall cost. Some of these include:
- Location: If the space your dental professional is renting has a high rate, or your dentist buys dental implants from a supplier who has higher prices, they might need to charge you more.
- Number of Implants: The more missing teeth you have, the greater the cost. How many implants you’ll have placed can determine how much you can expect to spend.
- Materials Used: Is your dentist opting for titanium or zirconium implants? The material used to construct the implants, as well as those used to craft your customized restoration can have an effect on the cost.
- Pre-Dental Implant Work: If your dentist discovers you need gum disease therapy, a tooth extraction, or a bone graft, this additional procedure will be factored in.
How Will Insurance Affect the Factors Associated with Implant Placement?
As it was mentioned earlier, depending on your individual plan, your dental insurance may cover a portion of the cost. Dental insurance plans that do include dental implants as a part of coverage will most likely be subject to certain conditions that can affect various aspects of your treatment, such as:
- Waiting Periods: If you have an individual cosmetic dental insurance plan, it might cover the implants, abutments, and restoration, but you’ll need to wait 24 months before you can move forward with replacing your missing teeth.
- Yearly Maximums: Most dental insurance plans have a yearly maximum, which means dental implant placement can exceed that allotted number. This can result in you being unreimbursed for expenses that go beyond the maximum.
- Type of Implant: Your policy might also dictate the type of implant or restoration you can receive.
It’s important that before you make a decision to move forward with dental implants, you discuss all the various details with your dentist in Wheaton. No one should agree to a procedure without knowing all the facts, so take the time to do your research and talk to those who can help. Dental implants don’t have to break the bank, but it’s necessary that you understand the cost and impact of insurance before your first implant is placed.
About the Author
Dr. Kathy Lam, DDS, attended the University of Illinois at Chicago for her bachelor’s degree. There she was on the Dean’s List and a member of the National Honor Society. She went on to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Howard University College of Dentistry in 2002 before attending a residency at Waterbury Hospital Health Center in Connecticut.
When patients seek the help of Dr. Lam for dental implant placement, she partners with the best oral surgeons to ensure a safe, effective, and quality procedure. To learn more, visit our website or call (630) 653-7720.