Will health insurance pay for dental implants

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Dental implants replace the root of your tooth with permanent, screwlike posts and artificial teeth that can look exactly like real ones. Dental implants feel and work just like natural teeth and are made to last for several decades. Dentures, by comparison, may need to be replaced after as few as five years. Dental insurance for implants may cover some or all of the associated costs.

The best dental insurance for implants offers affordable options from companies with good reputations, have industry experience, and offer coverage tailored to your specific dental needs.

Best Dental Insurance for Implants of 2022

• Best Overall: Delta Dental Insurance
• Runner Up, Best Overall: Denali Dental
• Best for No Waiting Period: Spirit Dental & Vision
• Best Value: Ameritas
• Best Group Benefits: Cigna Dental

Best Overall: Delta Dental Insurance

 Delta Dental Insurance

• Policy Types: 3
• Coverage Limit ($): Varies 
• States Available: 50

Why We Chose It

Delta offers multiple dental policies, is available nationwide, and provides quotes online.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Dental implants covered by many plans

• Coverage tailored to your needs

Cons

• Annual maximums and deductibles

• Pre-existing conditions not always covered

• 50% coverage for major procedures like dental implants

Overview

Delta Dental, founded in 1954, has grown into a well-known dental insurance provider that currently insures more than 80 million Americans. Plans are designed for individuals, families, retirees, and businesses. You can choose from among PPO, HMO, and Direct Dental Plans with varying coverage options and deductibles to accommodate your needs.

Delta Dental plans vary in cost and coverage depending on where you live, but you can apply for a free quote online by heading to the Delta Dental website and entering your zip code in the site's Cost Estimator tool. There are three types of plans for individuals that you can purchase to cover implants:

• Delta Dental PPO Plan offers 50% coverage for implants
• Delta Dental Premier Plan offers 40% coverage for implants
• Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Plan offers 40% coverage for implants (or 30% coverage for out-of-network)

For a further example of pricing, we can look at the Delta Dental PPO Plan. This plan covers 100% of routine and preventive diagnostic procedures, 80% of basic procedures like fillings, root canals, and extractions, and 50% of major procedures like bridges and implants. Note that waiting periods, annual maximums, and deductibles apply, and these can drastically reduce the amount of coverage you can use toward implants.

Not all policies cover pre-existing conditions such as missing teeth, so don't expect to be able to purchase insurance for dental implants if your teeth already are missing.

The amount you will pay for a dental insurance plan with Delta Dental depends on where you live, your age, the number of people you need coverage for, and the plan you select. However, basic PPO plans can start at around $20 per month.

Runner Up, Best Overall: Denali Dental

 Denali Dental

• Policy Types: 2
• Coverage Limit ($): $6,000
• States Available: 34

Why We Chose It

Denali Dental plans can be tailored to cover your needs, are available in many states, and the coverage amounts increase each year.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Secure a higher level of coverage the longer you wait

• Major services like implants covered in both plans

• Tailor your dental insurance coverage

Cons

• $6,000 maximum for individual and family plans

• Prices varied around the country

• Not available in 16 states

Overview

Denali Dental has been insuring people for dental care for more than 60 years. This coverage is underwritten by Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America, which boasts an "A" rating for financial strength from AM Best.

This company offers two variations of coverage that includes dental implants:

• The Denali Summit Plan provides 100% coverage for preventive services, 50% for diagnostic services, and 30% for basic and major services in the first year. Coverage amounts grow through the fourth year, when you get 60% coverage for basic and major procedures.
• The Denali Ridge Plan provides 100% for preventive services, 50% for diagnostic services, and 10% for basic and major services in the first year. Coverage amounts grow through the fourth year, when coverage for diagnostic services increases to 80% and coverage for basic and major procedures increases to 50%.

Implants are included in the major procedures category, which means you’ll have only limited coverage for this area of your dental health each year. Also, note that an annual maximum applies for individual and family plans and that a one-time lifetime deductible of $100 to $200 will apply as well, depending on the plan you have. 

The amount you’ll pay for a plan varies widely depending on who you’re buying coverage for, the plan you select, and where you live. The premium for an individual Denali Summit Plan can range from $51 to $116.

Best for No Waiting Period: Spirit Dental & Vision

 Spirit Dental & Vision

• Policy Types: Multiple
• Coverage Limit ($): Up to $5,000
• States Available: 50

Why We Chose It

We chose Spirit Dental & Vision because coverage starts immediately, and there is no waiting period.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• No waiting periods on plans; coverage starts immediately

• Get a free quote online

• Major services like dental implants covered

Cons

• Pre-existing conditions, including missing teeth, not covered

• Graduated annual maximums; low annual coverage limits applied until the third year of coverage

Overview

Based in St. Paul, Minn., Spirit Dental & Vision has been providing its services for more than 20 years. This coverage is underwritten by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp, which boasts an A rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from Standard & Poor’s for financial strength.

Spirit Dental & Vision offers coverage that includes dental implants as well as other major services. A dental insurance plan for an individual with $1,200 in coverage the first year, $2,500 in coverage the second year, and $5,000 in coverage the third year and beyond can start at $60 per month. All plans have an annual deductible of $100. 

Spirit also is known for having coverage that doesn’t require a waiting period, although coverage for implants doesn’t apply to teeth that already were missing. Pricing varies depending on factors such as how many people are on your plan and where you live.

Best Value: Ameritas

 Ameritas

• Policy Types: Multiple
• Coverage Limit ($): $2,500
• States Available: Enter ZIP code for coverage areas

Why We Chose It

Ameritas offers plans for major procedures that provide coverage up to the limits, and you can get a free quote online.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• No waiting period on multiple plans

• Implants included up to coverage limits

• Free quote online

Cons

• Annual maximums

• Limited first-year coverage amounts

• Low coverage the first year

Overview

Ameritas offers dental coverage directly to consumers with an A rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from Standard & Poor’s for financial strength. This company was founded in 1887 and started offering dental insurance in 1959.

Benefits start from day one with many of its insurance plans, and preventive visits are covered at 100% when you use an in-network provider. Like other providers, however, Ameritas offers plans that vary widely in terms of coverage and cost depending on your age, where you live, and other factors.

Annual maximums apply to the company dental insurance plans, which may be as low as $1,000 and up to $2,500, based on the quotes we received. Also, its dental plans cover up to only 20% of major procedures such as dental implants for the first year and up to 50% after the first year.

Cost depends on an array of factors, but a dental plan for one person with a maximum benefit of $2,500 per year, including dental implants, can be around $50 per month.

Best Group Benefits: Cigna Dental

Cigna Dental

• Policy Types: 2
• Coverage Limit ($): Varies
• States Available: Contact for details

Why We Chose It

Cigna is a highly rated company with two group plans for employers to offer that cover implants.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Strong financial ratings

• Well-known company

• Premier group benefits plan

Cons

• Limited plan details available on website

• Implants not covered by all plans

• Implant limits

Overview

When it comes to group dental insurance coverage, it’s hard to beat Cigna Dental. Coverage that includes dental implants is available for employers to purchase for their employees, and it comes in two forms:

• Cigna Dental Care DHMO plans include coverage for dental implants, crowns, and even teeth whitening, and you can save with copayments, coinsurance, and discounts.
• Cigna Plus Savings is a dental discount plan that lets participants save money on all dental procedures with participating providers.

The exact benefits are difficult to obtain since these are group plans implemented by employers and quotes are not available. Employers must connect with an insurance agent to determine how much it will cost for each employee.

Some limitations apply to implants, including that you are limited to one replacement of a crown, inlay, or prosthesis over an implant every five years. The surgical addition of an implant is also limited to one per year, and the replacement of current dental implants is limited to one every 10 years.

Final Verdict

All of our best dental insurance providers for implants have different pros and cons. Some have large networks of nationwide providers and others offer tailor-made policies. Some companies are backed by larger insurance companies with strong financial ratings and others offer low deductibles. 

Overall, we recommend checking out Delta Dental Insurance. The company offers four different plans for implants, is available nationwide, and you can apply for a free quote online.

Compare the Best Dental Insurance for Implants

Guide to Choosing the Best Dental Insurance for Implants

Do You Need Dental Insurance for Implants?

It’s always a good idea to explore your options to determine if dental insurance for implants is the way to go for you. First, assess your needs and determine if implants are the best choice or if you should consider some other options such as dentures. Then, get some prices for implants with and without insurance.

Dental insurance that covers 50% of your implants still may save you thousands of dollars. 

Comparing Dental Insurance for Implants

It’s important to shop around and compare the different plans and companies so you know that you’re getting the coverage you need at the best available price. When comparing dental insurance for implants, you want to get a fair comparison, so compare and contrast deductibles, monthly payments, services and procedures covered, waiting periods, and in-network providers. Make sure coverage is offered in your state and research the company’s reputation, reviews, and ratings.

Choosing Dental Insurance for Implants

There are several important consideration points to keep in mind when choosing dental insurance for implants. Consider how easy it is to apply, get a quote online, how you can manage your account, and if the company offers any extra perks or discounts.

Keep the following in mind when choosing dental insurance for implants:

• Coverage options: You want to research what type of coverage options are available, how many plans there are, what each plan offers, and their respective costs.
• Sign-up process: How easy it is to sign up is important. Can you sign up online or do you need to sign up with an agent over the phone?
• Geographic availability: Find out where the company offers coverage and then check out the providers in your area that accept this type of insurance.
• Customization: Find out if plans can be customized and how you would do that. You want to pay for the coverage that you need and not things you won’t use.

What Is Dental Insurance for Implants?

Dental insurance for implants is important because many basic dental insurance policies don’t cover major procedures or surgery to replace newly missing teeth. Since dental implants are expensive, having that extra coverage for a percentage of the cost can help make dental implants considerably more affordable.

There are two main types of dental implants. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, endosteal implants are placed in the jawbone, and subperiosteal implants are placed under the gum but above the jawbone.

Endosteal implants often are preferred, but subperiosteal implants make more sense for patients who don’t have enough healthy jawbone and don’t want to endure another procedure to improve their jawbone strength for endosteal implants.

What Does Dental Implant Insurance Typically Exclude?

Dental insurance typically excludes procedures for cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and complicated oral surgeries that need to be handled in a hospital setting.

While the insurance plans we highlighted do cover dental implants, it’s important to consider how much this coverage will help. Many dental insurance plans have annual maximum limits of a few thousand dollars, which will cover only so much when you’re planning a pricey dental implant procedure. Deductibles also can apply, as well as coinsurance or copayments that require you to pay more out-of-pocket outside of your monthly insurance premiums.

Many dental implant insurance policies won’t pay for implants for teeth that already are missing when you sign up. In the same way that you can’t buy homeowners insurance once your house is already on fire, you can’t buy dental implant insurance for teeth that already are missing.

What Are the Expected Costs of Dental Implant Insurance?

How much you’ll pay for dental insurance depends on how much coverage you want, your age, and other factors. Also, on top of your monthly insurance premiums, you may need to pay coinsurance or copayments when you visit a dentist, and you’ll likely face an annual out-of-pocket maximum for coverage.

Each plan covers a percentage of preventive, basic, and major procedures, after which you’ll pay out of pocket. For example, the least expensive plan, Denali Ridge, covers 100% of preventive care but only 80% of diagnostic care and 50% of major dental work.

Note that deductibles also apply for these plans and could range from $100 to $200 or more, depending on the plan you select.

Is Paying for Dental Implant Insurance Worth It?

Paying for dental insurance with the hope of getting coverage for dental implants can be worth it, but it all depends on your unique situation and how much dental work you need. With annual maximums on policies coming in as low as $1,000 in some cases, it’s important to make sure you select a dental insurance plan that offers enough coverage to actually help with the cost of dental implants. Many policies cover only a percentage of major services, so you’ll need to be prepared to pay for the rest of your implant surgery yourself.

Having some coverage is usually better than having none. Plus, dental insurance can kick in to pay for preventive care like cleanings and X-rays, as well as any fillings work you need to be done over the course of the year.

Before you pay for a dental insurance plan, make sure to shop around among plans to find the best deal. You should look for a plan with a high annual maximum coverage amount, low copayments and out-of-pocket costs, and a monthly premium you can afford.

Methodology

When carefully selecting the best dental insurance for implants, we compiled a list of the top 20 dental insurance plans to find companies that offer coverage for dental implants. We compared waiting periods, the annual maximum coverage amounts, and evaluated if those amounts were fair and reasonable. We looked for dental insurance providers that boast strong independent rankings for solid financial strength and a good industry reputation for quality service. Lastly, we assigned categories to the best dental insurance for implants companies.