I’m losing my teeth and have been looking at my options. I think I’d like to get dental implants but wondered if dental insurance would cover them?
Benjamin
Dear Benjamin,
You’ve picked the best tooth replacement option. Dental implants are the closest thing to having your healthy natural teeth back. As for dental insurance, they tend to only cover the least expensive options. That doesn’t mean they won’t cover any portion of it; just not the amount you’re likely hoping they’ll pay.
If you don’t already have insurance, be aware that most plans have a waiting period for anything other than cleanings, some up to a year. Check with your plan if you’re trying to purchase a plan simply for getting dental implants.
Dentures Versus Dental Implants
The most affordable option is dentures. However, they are removable and have a lot of problems. The top arch is held in by suction and the bottom arch just sits on the ridge of your jawbone. Even the best fitting dentures will reduce your chewing capacity by 50%.
Unfortunately, that’s not the worst part about dentures. When your teeth are removed, your body recognizes the roots of your teeth are gone. In an effort to be efficient, it resorbs the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere in your body where it perceives they’ll be more useful. After ten years or more, you will no longer have enough jawbone left to retain your dentures. This is known as facial collapse.
Getting dental implants prevents all of that. The implants are surgically placed into your jawbone and signals to your body there are still roots there and your jawbone is needed so it leaves your bone intact.
This blog is brought to you by Libertyville Dentist Dr. David Potts.