How to get dental implants covered by insurance

Key points

• Dental insurance may cover dental bridges but not dental implants, depending on the plan.
• Some dental insurance plans cover part of the dental implant procedure, but not all.
• The dental implant procedure can last months, so you may not need to cover all of the costs at once.

There are 3 million people in the U.S. with dental implants, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and that number is growing by 500,000 each year. One study of dental implant trends projects that nearly 6% to 23% of Americans will have dental implants by 2026.

The process of getting dental implants can range from a single implant with an abutment and crown to several implants with the option of removable or non-removable replacement teeth. From start to finish, it could take anywhere from three to nine months. More complex procedures might even take more than a year, and come with a hefty price tag. 

The American Dental Association says dental implants can cost $1,600 to $2,200 per tooth, or more with added factors like restoration and sedation. If you need dental implants, here’s what to know about getting dental implants covered by insurance and other savings options.

Does dental insurance cover implants?

Some dental insurance will cover portions of your dental implant procedure. But the details will depend on your individual plan. You may find that your policy doesn’t cover all costs associated with getting an implant, leaving you on the hook for a big portion of the bill.

“The first step is usually extracting the tooth and grafting the area to prepare the site for a dental implant. Usually, the part that insurance will cover is the extraction and grafting. Some insurance policies may cover the steps that follow, which are the dental implant and implant crown. But usually, these parts are only partially covered if at all.”

Dr. Bethany Wong

Even if your dental policy pays for implants, you may have to meet your deductible before coverage kicks in. Then your coverage may only extend to some of the cost factors of getting a dental implant, which can include consultations, X-rays, anesthesia and the type of crown. 

The reason you need a dental implant can also affect your insurance coverage. Many dental insurance policies cover implants required after an accident but will not cover them if they are considered cosmetic.

Or with a cosmetic implant, your insurance may cover up to a percentage of the cost — up to 50%, for example. Again, coverage rules vary, so it’s important to check with your insurer in advance.

Another potential hitch is that dental plans may exclude coverage if you were already missing a tooth before your coverage began.

Does medical insurance cover dental implants?

Health insurance rarely includes coverage for dental implants. One exception may be if a severe injury, such as one caused by a car accident, caused damage to your mouth. In this case, health insurance may cover dental implants that are deemed “medically necessary.” 

Medicare plans may also cover dental implants that are considered medically necessary.

However, it will be difficult to find a dentist who can place implants and is willing to accept health insurance or Medicare plans for a dental procedure.

Can you pay for dental implants with FSA or HSA funds?

A flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) are tax-advantaged savings accounts that you may be able to use to cover the costs of your dental implant procedure. But make sure you understand the rules for dental implants.

FSAs

If you have an FSA through your employer, you may be able to use the funds to pay for a wide range of out-of-pocket health care costs, including dental expenses.

Be aware that you may have to provide a receipt for your implant, as well as a letter of medical necessity signed by a doctor.

HSAs

If you have an HSA, you can use the funds in the account to pay for dental procedures like dental implants — but only if you’re not getting the implant for purely cosmetic reasons. A medical diagnosis may be required.

A health savings account (HSA) is similar to an FSA, except that you can get one through your employer or on your own if you buy your own insurance. You also have to have a high-deductible health plan to be able to contribute to an HSA.

How to save money on dental implants

“Dental implants are becoming a more common procedure. Patients come to our practice inquiring about implants every day, and certainly, the financial aspect can be overwhelming and a factor in deciding how they will proceed,” said Wong.

“If a patient has dental insurance, we would try to maximize their insurance benefits to help cover some of the costs. Our practice has a dental savings plan that also provides our services at a discounted price.”

Asking about savings plans and discounts can be a useful option, especially if you’re worried about paying for the potentially high cost of dental implants. But keep in mind that you might not have to pay for everything all at once.

“What many patients don’t know is that even one implant, from start to finish, can take on average six to eight months,” said Dr. Wong. “Payment can be broken down into the different steps which are performed several months apart to ease the burden of the whole payment up front.”