Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth that replace teeth that have fallen out or been extracted. They are designed to appear and feel indistinguishable from one’s real teeth, a quality that has made them a popular option for tooth replacement. Despite the clear benefits of dental implants, some prospective patients in the United States hesitate to undergo treatment because they worry about the cost. This has led many to the question: Does Medicare cover dental implants? We share the answer to this question below and offer more information about dental implants.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

It is essential that you understand the full scope of the dental prosthetic before receiving any work. This knowledge will help you determine if dental implants are the best option for restoring your teeth. The pros of dental implants include the following:

• Appear more natural than many other dental prosthetics
• Restore your chewing and speaking functions
• Prevent neighboring teeth from changing position
• Do not get cavities
• Can last for several years

Many patients find that dental implants represent a low-stress way to replace a missing tooth. However, some of the downsides of the dental implant procedure include:

• Require oral surgery to install
• May take several months to install from start to finish
• Can be more costly than alternatives, such as dental bridges
• Are not typically covered by insurance
• Are not usually appropriate for children

How Much Does a Dental Implant Cost?

After determining that dental implants are the tooth replacement option you want to pursue, you need to consider how you will cover the cost of the procedure.

If you are paying out of pocket for your dental implants, they can be quite expensive. Some estimates find that the cost of replacing a single tooth can range from $ 3,000 to $ 5,000, while replacing multiple teeth increases the cost even higher.

As a result, many patients turn to their insurance provider to help cover some of the costs associated with the procedure. However, this part of the process can be a challenge if not approached correctly.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?

Unfortunately, most Medicare plans do not cover the cost of dental implants. However, individuals who are covered under the Advanced Medicare Plan C can sometimes have their procedures covered because Plan C includes dental benefits. 

In addition, there is some possibility that you can convince your Medicare Plan A or B provider to support your dental implant procedure if you can convince them that there is some level of medical necessity for the procedure. Often, you can have your dentist or primary healthcare provider write a note stating that your procedure is medically necessary to some extent.

How Much Does Medicare Dental Coverage Cost?

Individuals looking to upgrade their Medicare coverage to include dental may not have to pay much more per month. In some cases, they may not have to pay anything additional at all. Much of this will have to do with the state in which you are receiving health insurance. 

Additionally, many individuals who qualify for low-income Medicare health insurance may already find that dental coverage is included in their healthcare package. In addition, even individuals who do not prequalify for this will find that the increase in their monthly payment is only about $30 at most. 

Dental Implants in LA

Samaritan Dental proudly offers the best in dental care to patients in Los Angeles. If you would like to receive dental implants and excellent dental care from a dentist with years of experience, contact us today to schedule an appointment.