Do you need dental implants and you’re wondering, “does medicare cover dental implants?” Here’s everything you need to know about whether Medicare covers dental implants.
Three million people in the United States have dental implants.
Dental implants are a wonderful way to improve your smile and the functionality of your mouth. However, they’re not always cost-effective for everyone. Some people will not even approach the idea of dental implants if they think they’re out of their price range.
Does Medicare cover dental implants? If so, what does Medicare cover? Let’s explore more about dental implants and their relationship with Medicare.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a great way to replace lost or missing teeth. They are permanent fixtures that are fused to your jawbone and resemble your real teeth. Dental implants are fashioned from a variety of materials like porcelain.
A dentist implants a titanium screw into the jawbone that provides the base for the false tooth. This is considered oral surgery. Once the implant is in place and the jaw healed, the false tooth is hooked on.
Dental implants are popular because they fit seamlessly into your life. There’s no removal or extra cleaning. You can simply treat them like your real teeth with brushing, flossing, eating, and drinking.
How Much Are Dental Implants?
The cost of dental implants ranges greatly and is dependant on several factors.
If your jawbone is healthy enough to receive implants, then the cost may not be as much. However, if you need any skin grafts or other medical procedures to improve the strength of your jaw, that will cost more.
The cost also depends on how many dental implants you’re getting. Some people only get one, while others need several or even an entire mouthful. Because dental implants are considered oral surgery, the cost for one single implant could be between 3,000-5,000 dollars.
Your location, materials used, the expertise of the dentist, and more can all factor into your cost.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
Generally speaking, Medicare will not cover the cost of dental implants for cosmetic purposes only. They may, however, cover a portion of tooth loss is due to injury, trauma, cancers, or other medical care. Medicare also does not cover routine dental care.
There is a plan called Medicare Advantage, which may cover some parts of routine dental care like cleanings, check-ups, and so forth. Medicare Advantage works with private insurance companies to get you a variety of coverage. They may also cover more complicated dental issues like fillings and other dental procedures including dental implants.
The best course of action would be to contact Medicare and explain the situation to them. If your reason for getting dental implants is related to other medical issues, they may likely cover a portion. Some plans cover procedures related to dental implants, but not the implants themselves.
Medicare And Dental Implants
The question, “Does Medicare cover dental implants?” isn’t an easy one to answer because of all of the variables. But it’s important to know as much information as you can about Medicare coverage before moving forward.
Are you confused about all the Medicare plans? Our website can help.
Check out our Senior Dental Plans information article.