How To Get Dental Implants Covered By Insurance?
Most people suffer from several teeth problems due to various diseases, infections, or other causes. But, with the help of modern technology, it can solve every problem, such as Dental Implants. People who lose their teeth due to any reason, then they can go for this treatment. The main advantage of a dental Implant is that your teeth will stay healthy for a longer duration.
But, when people hear about the treatments, they are quite afraid about their procedures and the cost, as they don’t have appropriate knowledge about the treatment. So, this article is very helpful for those who want dental implant treatment and are unaware.
This article shares all the important information, such as its cost, advantages, disadvantages, insurance coverages, and alternative options.
What is a dental implant?
Dental Implants are permanent replacements for tooth roots that support a screwlike post made of titanium. They are artificial teeth that look similar to real ones. Dental implants work like natural teeth, and their life span is five years, depending upon the patient’s regularity and the way they take care of the teeth. Most dentists recommend them when you lose one or more teeth due to infection or damage.
According to American implant dentistry reports, more than 3 million Americans have implemented this treatment, and approximately 500,000 people have received a dental implant for the first time.
People planning to have Dental Implants treated need to read this article before the treatment. It includes all the essential information required for Dental Implants treatments.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Dental Implants:
Before moving further with this treatment, it is necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of Dental Implants.
Advantages:
- It helps to restore the missing tooth’s function and appearance.
- Dental Implants protect the health of the jawbone and gums.
- It also protects other teeth from any further damage.
- The artificial teeth look like natural teeth.
Drawbacks:
- Dental Implants are quite expensive.
- This treatment procedure can be lengthy. It depends upon the patient’s tooth health and other issues.
- The changes in infections arise if the patient does not take proper care of their health after the treatment.
So, these merits and demerits that l have to be considered.
When is a Dental Implant needed?
Dental Implant treatment is needed when you lose your permanent teeth, but before moving directly for the treatment, it is better to visit your dentist’s clinic. Your dentist might suggest some other treatments like dental bridges or crowing. Sometimes, it also happens that it is hard to avoid the missing place of the tooth because it creates some infection or problems to their supporting teeth too.
Here are some common causes due to which one has to go for Dental Implants:
- Infection in teeth.
- Damages occurred to your teeth.
- Periodontal disease (this disease is caused by a bacterial infection, which spreads the infection to other supporting teeth.)
- Teeth decay
- Trauma
So, these are some common reasons you need to go for Dental Implants treatment.
Who can go for Dental Implant Treatment?
Here are some of the criteria for candidates who are planning to go with this treatment.
- Patients who suffer from the issue of missing or losing their teeth can apply for this treatment.
- A patient must have a strong jawbone.
- Overall good health is mandatory.
- The patient is not suffering from any other oral health problems.
Types of Dental Implants:
Mainly there are two types of Dental Implants:
- Endosteal:
Endosteal implants mean the implementation of the teeth in the bone. Nowadays, this implanting treatment is very common. The material used in the Endosteal implant process is very safe and uses titanium covers and a small screw to implant the teeth.
In this implant process, the dentist inserts a small screw into the jawbones where they want to set an artificial tooth. The small screw protects the surrounding teeth, so it is important to make a strong root before proceeding further.
- Subperiosteal:
Subperiosteal implant means the implementation of teeth on the bone. This implant treatment is for those who don’t have strong jawbones to support the endosteal implant. The Subperiosteal implants are inserted under the gum but are not connected to the jawbones. These implants are placed on the bone.
So, these are the two types of Dental Implants. You can use any one of these implant treatments according to your dentist’s recommendation.
The procedure of a Dental Implant:
It is essential to create awareness amongst the people about the process of a Dental Implant. Normally, this procedure takes 3 to 9 months to complete this surgery. Depending on your complicated surgery, you may also need several types of dental specialists, like periodontists and oral surgeons.
Steps of Dental Implant Process:
- Evaluating:
The first step in the Dental Implant process is to recognize the overall health of the mouth, including the teeth, gums, and jawbone. This evaluation is important because it allows the dentist to learn about the health of the jawbone.
If your jawbones are too thin or soft, you may need other treatments before Dental Implants. It is also necessary to check your teeth’ health, whether it is covered with periodontal disease or not, because it may create other issues related to your surgery.
Simply put, the first step gives an overall idea about mouth health, and depending on this process, the next procedure will be decided.
- Placing the implant:
If anyone wants to go for endosteal implant surgery, then here are some steps for it,;
- In endosteal implant surgery, an oral surgeon will cut the sensitivity and expose the jawbone in the bone.
- Then, in the second step, the dentist inserts the implant post with the help of a hole.
- Before implanting permanent teeth, the dentist takes a trial by using the temporary teeth to check the tooth’s durability.
This procedure is useful when any patient goes for an Endosteal implant.
Now, when any person goes with Subperiosteal implant surgery, the dentist implants the teeth on the bones, as this treatment only applies to those with less strong jawbones. Implanting process completely depends upon the patient’s needs. Still, it is mandatory to take care of the tooth for several days after the completion of Dental implant treatment because if you are not taking proper care, then the chances of crack and infection arise.
- Osseointegration:
Osseointegration is an emerging process when the dental implant is successfully placed. It takes approximately 2 to 6 months to merge the bones with the permanent artificial tooth by strengthening the jawbones that support the health of surrounding teeth.
- Abutment placement:
The abutment is a metal connector between the replacement of the tooth to the implant. It is used during the initial process or by using any local anesthetics. It controls the tissues from growing.
Mostly, the dentist uses Abutment placement in the second process itself.
- Placing the tooth:
Once the abutment healing process is complete, the dentist again checks the structure of your tooth so they can easily fix the permanent teeth after completing all the necessary procedures. The dentist offers two types of teeth: fixed and removable.
If someone selects the fixed tooth option, the dentist will permanently cover the missing tooth with a cement-based or screw-like structure.
If anyone selects the removable tooth option, the dentist will set up a tooth on a metal frame and an abutment so the patients can easily remove the tooth for daily cleaning. Again, it is fixed as it was before.
Once the process is completed, it is your responsibility to go for a routine check-up. If you have any issues, inform your dentist.
Now, after knowing the procedure, you must be thinking about its cost. Only some people can go for this treatment as it is quite expensive. In such cases, the dental insurance company may help those patients by covering some expenses of this treatment.
The Actual Cost of Dental Implants:
When we discussed the actual cost of this treatment, several factors played an important role in increasing the price, including the number of missing teeth, locations, dentist experience, and many more. Dental implants last a long time, so their cost is comparatively higher than other dental treatments like Dental bridging and crowns.
The average dental implant cost is around $2000 to $3000. This cost is only for implant procedures; it doesn’t include abutments or crown costs. As the cost of abutments and crowns are included in the dental implant process, the cost of this treatment will reach up to $6000, which is not affordable for many people.
Also, dentists may offer discounts to their patients or offer EMI payment schemes so patients can pay at their convenience.
However, many people still need to pay the actual cost of Dental Implants, so their insurance company may provide some help to cover the cost.
Does Insurance cover Dental Implants?
Many people want dental implant treatment, so they must be aware of the insurance policies. So, this article will provide all the essential information about insurance coverage. Generally, dental insurance policies do not cover dental implant treatment, as it is a part of cosmetic surgery like a dental bridge and crown. So, you have to talk with another cosmetic insurance company that can provide coverage.
Cosmetic insurance covers 50% of dental implant treatment, depending on the patient’s needs for this surgery. If you don’t have an insurance policy, you can take the help of dental plan membership for discounts.
When your Dental Implants is covered by Insurance?
The Patients who buy dental and medical insurance policies have to check whether any of these policies cover Dental Implants or any other cosmetic dental procedure. If yes, then you have to check the following information for getting Dental Implants insurance:
- Annual maximum:
All insurance company follows the calendar year to measure the annual maximum of their customer. It means the company first checks your insurance plan and recognizes how much it has paid for dental care for you and your family this year. If the amount is near your annual maximum, then you have to pay a complete payment for your treatment.
- Pre-existing conditions:
It is the policyholder’s responsibility to check the insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions to decide their cosmetic ranges. If you lose your teeth before the effective date, you alone are responsible for this treatment. So, it is essential to see if you have a pre-existing condition before applying for dental implant insurance.
Final Thoughts:
Dental Implants are one of the most effective and expensive treatments compared to other cosmetic treatments. The effect of this treatment is long-lasting, which is the main reason most people prefer this treatment. But, as it is a part of cosmetic treatment, most dental insurance companies do not include this treatment in their plans. So, this article discusses all the essential information regarding dental implant costs, pros and cons, other important insurances that can help to cover the expenses, and much more.