Navigating Dental Insurance: What Implant Patients Should Be Aware Of

Dental implants offer a second chance at a complete smile. If you’ve lost teeth due to damage, decay or ageing, you can opt for replacement options such as a bridge or a partial denture, but only a dental implant will offer a truly authentic replacement.

Dental implants look, feel and function just like natural teeth. The implant portion replicates the role of a tooth root, providing a solid anchor for a dental restoration such as a crown, bridge or even a full denture.

This advanced dental procedure comes with a higher price tag than alternative treatments such as crowns and even dentures. The price reflects the complex nature of the procedure (which takes place over multiple visits) and the lifetime value of the treatment.

Patients have a number of options when starting dental implant treatment. They can either pay for the treatment out of pocket, using savings or a personal loan. They can use an interest-free credit payment plan offered by their dental practice. Or, in some cases, they might be able to make a claim on their dental insurance.

In this guide, we’re looking at the process of claiming the cost of dental implants on your dental insurance, including which dental insurance providers are most likely to cover the cost of treatment.

Does insurance cover dental implant treatment?

This all depends on your provider and the policy you have chosen. Some dental insurance providers would consider dental implants to be an elective or cosmetic procedure, and this would mean that they would not cover the cost.

However, some insurance providers will see dental implants as a restorative treatment, and they may therefore cover the cost of the treatment – or at least a portion of it.

The best way to find out if your dental insurance provider covers implants is to call them and check what your coverage includes. You may have the option to expand your coverage for a minimum term in order to benefit from this level of care.

Some patients do not have dental health insurance, but they do have a health plan with their dentist. In this case, they might get a healthy discount on the cost of cosmetic treatment. This can help to make the cost of treatment much more manageable.

Which insurance providers offer dental implant coverage?

There aren’t many insurance providers that will cover the full cost of treatment, but some will contribute towards the cost through a co-payment agreement. Many of them will have a minimum waiting period between securing the insurance policy and being able to make a claim.

It’s also worth noting that you will likely have to have the highest level of coverage available to be able to claim for the cost of dental implants. If this is the case, it might be worth exploring if dental insurance is really making the treatment much cheaper, or if an interest-free payment plan would be a better route.

If you’re interested in getting dental insurance to cover the cost of dental implants, consider the following providers:

AXA Health

The Premium plan from AXA Health does offer coverage for dental implants. You can claim up to 50% of the cost of the treatment, up to a limit of £1,000 per year. You’ll have to be a member for 3 months before you can make a claim.

Your insurance premiums will depend on your past medical history and any pre-existing conditions. You’ll have to arrange a quote to get a better idea about how much you will have to pay in order to access these benefits.

Bupa

Bupa Dental Insurance is often provided as an employment benefit. Some levels of coverage will offer support for covering the cost of dental implants. However, you will be limited in which providers you can choose for your treatment.

Dental implants offered through Bupa dental practices tend to be more costly than the national average, so the savings to be made through dental insurance might be minimal.

Denplan

Denplan’s extended coverage will pay out up to £2,100 for the cost of a single dental implant, if the implant is required due to an injury incurred while you are on the insurance plan.

This type of coverage is great for peace of mind that you’ll be covered in the event of an emergency, but it won’t provide coverage for dental implants required to close gaps in your smile that have been there for a while. All of the Denplan insurance plans will offer a discount on treatments offered through their partner dental practices. This could help to make your dental implant treatment much more affordable.

Check your coverage

When signing up for something like dental insurance for a specific purpose, you should always check the fineprint. Carefully read the policy documentation so that you know where you stand.

If you would like to explore dental implants as a treatment option but aren’t sure if this is affordable, speak to our treatment coordinators. We can help you to explore the available options, which could include insurance or payment plans to help spread the cost of your treatment.

We want to make premium quality dental care accessible and affordable for everyone. If you’re struggling with the high cost of dental treatment, get in touch with our team to find out how we can help. We may be able to offer solutions that will enable you to access the care you want without compromise.