If you’re in the market for dental implants, then you know that they can be a costly investment. Dental implants are a great way to replace missing or failing teeth, but the cost of the procedure can add up fast. In this blog post, we will discuss some ways that you can save money on your dental implant procedure. We’ll also take a look at some of the best dental insurance plans for implants. So whether you’re just starting to explore your implant options or you’re ready to book your surgery, read on for tips and advice!
History of Dental Implants:
Dental implants as we know them were created by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon named Per-Ingvar Brånemark in 1952. They are now the usual treatment for prosthetic tooth replacement in dentistry. A dental implant is a surgical fixture that is inserted into the jawbone and fused with the bone over the course of a few months. The dental implant replaces the root of a lost tooth.
Rather, this “artificial tooth root” serves to support a replacement tooth or bridge. The closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth is having a dental implant attached to the jawbone since it stands independently and has excellent stability. “Osseointegration” is the process by which the dental implant and jawbone become fused.
The majority of dental implants are composed of titanium, allowing them to merge with a bone while avoiding being perceived as an invader in our bodies. Over the years, technology and science have evolved to make dental implant placement more successful. The success rate for dental implants today is close to 98%.
What are dental implants?
A dental implant is a tiny post that resembles a root and serves as a substitute for the tooth’s lost natural foundation. The top of the dental implant, which is connected to the replacement tooth via an abutment, may be placed on or built into the jaw. Finally, a crown is created to match your natural teeth, completing the dental implant prosthesis.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?
- Dental implants are not visible and blend in with your natural teeth. And because they are meant to merge with bone, they become permanent.
- When dentures are not properly fit, the teeth may slip inside the mouth, causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without worrying about teeth slipping.
- Because they become a permanent part of your body, dentures with implants are far less painful than those that must be removed.
- Sliding dentures might make chewing uncomfortable. Dental implants work similarly to your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without discomfort.
- Dental implants can help you regain your confidence and self-esteem by restoring your smile.
- Dental implants do not necessitate the removal of other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not utilized to support the implant, more of your own teeth are preserved, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also make it easier for dentists and patients to collaborate on treatment decisions because they reduce the amount of space between individual teeth.
- Implants are highly durable and can last a lifetime. With appropriate maintenance, many implants may be expected to endure a lifetime.
- Dents are a fact of life that most people accept as unavoidable. The bottom line is that removable dentures are only temporary. Dental implants eliminate the bothersome process of removing dentures and the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
Are Dental Implants Successful?
Dental implants have a success rate of up to 98%, depending on where in the jaw they are placed. Dental implants, in general, have an expected survival rate of more than 20 years.
Can you Get Dental Implants?
A dental implant may be placed in anyone who is healthy enough to have a regular dental extraction or oral surgery. Patients should have good gums and sufficient bone to support the implant. They must also be dedicated to good oral hygiene and frequent dental visits. Sufficiently heavy smokers, persons with uncontrolled persistent diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, or individuals who have had radiation therapy to the head/neck region should be treated on an individual basis. If you’re thinking about dental implants, contact your dentist first to determine if they’re appropriate for you.
How much does a Dental Implant Cost?
Dental implants have a wide range of pricing for various procedures, depending on the number of teeth being restored and the extent of each procedure. The dentist’s workplace may also be significant. Implants are designed to endure a lifetime. As a result, they are more expensive than other dental treatments that replace missing teeth, such as bridges or dentures.
Dental insurance, like bridges and dentures, does not always cover the cost of dental implants. Check with your policy’s provider to see what kind of coverage you can expect.
The cost of a single implant can range from $2,000 to $3,000. This amount is solely for the implant and does not include the abutment or crown. After you add in the price of the abutment and crown, you could be paying as much as $6,000 per tooth.
Dental costs are determined by the complexity of the condition and treatment required. Prior to beginning therapy, your dentist or dental specialist should provide you with an anticipated or fixed price. Some dental offices may help you with payment plans to make things easier.
Types of dental implants
Endosteal (in the bone)
The most frequent type of dental implant is Endosteal implants.
Endosteal implants are tiny screws that look like them. Endosteal implants are constructed of body-safe materials such as titanium. Endosteal are implants that are implanted into the jawbone and take the place of teeth roots. One implant may be used to secure one or several teeth.
Subperiosteal (on the bone)
The endosteal implant is positioned on the inner aspect of the gums where there isn’t enough healthy jawbone to support it. Subperiosteal implants are inserted beneath the gum and aren’t drilled into the jawbone. They’re placed higher up or on the bone, rather than within it.
Recovery time after surgery and the surgical process timeline
Dental implant surgery entails a number of stages spread out over 3 to 9 months. Before treatment is finished, you may require the services of many types of dentists, such as a periodontist and oral surgeon.
Are dental implants covered by insurance?
Dental implant surgery is not usually covered by basic dental insurance plans. You’ll want to check into cosmetic dental treatment coverage, which covers part of dental implants. The cost of your dental implant insurance maybe half of the total amount, leaving you to pay the rest yourself. Your deductible, or the amount you pay before your insurance covers it, might differ based on your other dental needs that year.
Dental implant procedures may be covered by your medical insurance, however, this will depend on your policy. If you don’t have dental insurance or if your existing insurance doesn’t cover dental implants, consider getting a policy that includes them or signing up for a discount dental plan membership.
The best dental insurance for dental implants
Anthem Essential Choice Platinum
Anthem is a top-rated dental insurance provider with a large network of over 108,000 participating providers and 41 million insured customers. Anthem has an excellent AM Best rating for financial stability. Anthem Inc. is a health insurance corporation based in Indianapolis that has many state operations. Although its affiliates are based in various states, it is incorporated in Indiana. It provides plans both directly and through employers for individuals and families, as well as several programs in numerous states that add to Medicare Part C coverage for retirees.
The best overall dental insurance plan for implants is Anthem. The premium rate’s $2,000 annual maximum is one of the most significant we discovered, and any unused benefit carryover increases the following year’s allowance. The waiting time for implant coverage is only six months. The deductibles were comparable to those of the other dental insurance providers that we looked into, with costs ranging from $50 to $150 per person and upwards of $250 per family.
While the monthly premiums for individuals were lower than those we found elsewhere, given the benefits they offered, they were reasonable. The Anthem Essential Choice Platinum’s monthly rate for a woman under 50 in California, for example, was approximately $60. In California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine (ME), Missouri (KS), and Nevada; as well as New York and Ohio; Anthem coverage is accessible.
Major features to consider before choosing Anthem
- Individual plans cover only one implant.
- $2,000 per year is the maximum annual spending limit, with a yearly maximum carryover.
- It’s also available in 14 different US states.
We at HalfofThe choose the Anthem because?
We went with the Anthem Essential Choice Platinum because it offers a maximum annual benefit of $2,000. It also has an annual carryover advantage, which means they add your unused allotment to the next year’s allowable amount.
Advantages of choosing Anthem over others out there
- $2,000 in annual maximum
- The wait time for major services is 6 months.
- With proof of prior coverage, the waiting period is waived.
- Employers may also sponsor excellent group packages.
