2007/10/02

Dental Implant Insurance: Will It Put Its Money Where Your Mouth Is?



Dental Implant Insurance: Will It Put Its Money Where Your Mouth Is? by Wade Robins



Your dentist has recommended dental implants as the long term solution to your oral problems. You are tired of having repeated procedures on your teeth, only to have them revert to their painful ways. And you're getting older, so you know that time is not on their side.
The only thing which has kept you out of the implant chair, in fact is your lack of dental implant insurance coverage. You know you are looking at a priced tag of between $1000 and $2500 for each implant, depending on what the dentist discovers when he measures you jaw's bone density.


But, just as dental implants are expensive, so is dental implant insurance, if you can find a plan which covers it. Most dental insurance coverage dates back to the days before dental implants were so readily available, and may offer only the skimpiest of coverage, for teeth lost in accidents. If you want the implants just to replace teeth which are feeling their age, you may be out of luck with your dental insurance provider


Try Your Medical Insurance But you may also have an alternative: your medical insurance. If you need to have multiple dental implants, the procedure may necessitate reconstructing your jaw to realign your bite and ability to chew. Consult with your insurance provider about your situation, and do not commit to anything until you know where you stand. As a heads-up, Medicare will only cover essential dental procedures are necessitated by disease or accident, and involve reconstruction.


Restrictions On Dental Implant Insurance While many dental insurance providers consider the dental implant process a form of cosmetic surgery, there are some insurance companies which will offer dental implant insurance for a sizeable premium, but there is a catch. You may have a waiting period in excess of a year before you qualify for the coverage, and even then dental implant insurance will not cover implants made necessary because of pre-existing conditions.
Before you agree to dental implant surgery, go over your dental implant insurance policy with a fin-bristled tooth brush. You may be surprised to discover that your insurance carrier has left itself wiggle room and the implant you though you could afford is once again out of reach. If so, you'll have to reassess. Perhaps your dentist will have a financing plant to see you through.


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