Does insurance cover dental implants? Would my health care insurance cover any of it, or is it strictly under dental insurance?

Unfortunately there is no simple answer to your question. In my experience, most of the time dental insurance covers little or nothing for dental implants. This has started to change in the last few years though, and I have had patients who have received some coverage (for example, the crown only). I can think of one patient with traditional dental insurance who had two implants completely covered (implant, abutment and crown), but this is the exception not the rule. It really depends on what type of insurance coverage was purchased. I don't believe I've ever had a patient whose implants were covered by medical insurance, but my oral surgeon friends tell me it's possible.

This can be a tricky question to answer. I have never heard of health insurance covering dental implants unless there is a trauma involved. Dental implants will sometimes be covered by insurance but typically it is in part. For instance, some companies will cover bone grafting procedures or the placement of the crown, but will not cover the implant itself. The best thing you can do is to call your insurance and ask for yourself before your procedure. If they do not cover much, you can ask your dentist if they offer payment plans or financing of some sort. Most offices do offer something of the sort to help their patients with the costs.

More and more dental insurances are paying for a portion (40%-80%) of dental implant placement and restoration.  You or your dental office would have to call your dental insurance carrier to find out if there’s any coverage.  Medical insurances don’t usually pay for dental implants.  But some medical insurance companies will pay for bone grafting or sedation for the procedures.  Your dental office will have to get in touch with the medical insurance company to find out. Good Luck!