Dental implant procedure is becoming a commonplace today in the USA. The relative simplicity compared to root canal and crown treatment, a minimal chance of complications, and modern implant materials and procedures are making dental implant service a viable alternative to root canal and crown or a dental bridge. The question remains, and is asked of Dental Cool a lot: Can I get dental implants affordably.
With the price of an implant ranging from $1500 to $3000 or more for a single tooth, combined with the fact that many patients require several implants, the dental implants procedure is not cheap. How can you save money on dental implants?
One way of course is to shop around. Dentists determine their own price based on their cost, area in which they do business, within the general guidelines from American Dental Association. In this economy where access to capital is quite limited, a dentist may give you a lower price in exchange for a cash payment or a payment in a few installments.
The second way is to purchase a dental insurance that covers dental implants. Recently, several insurances are offering coverage for dental implants. This was not the case in the past when only the highest-level insurances even included dental implants. When picking up a dental insurance, watch for several "details" usually buried in the small print that could cost you dearly: Look into and ask about the "exclusion clauses". Do the exclusion clauses include dental implants or crowns? Look into "waiting periods". Are waiting periods pertaining to dental implants? They can be a year, sometimes two years long. Thirdly, what are the annual maximums of the given dental implant insurance plan? Are they comparable to the total cost of the dental implant work that you need? And, last, make sure you have qualified dentists in your area that are trained and perform dental implant surgery routinely.
The third and the simplest way to reduce cost of your dental implants is to purchase a solid, nationwide discount dental plan. Most of nationwide discount dental plans include dental implants. The savings will be anywhere from 15% to 25% on the implant work and 25% to 65% on the associated crown work. There is no question about "exclusion clauses" with dental implant discount plans - most of them include implant work. There are no waiting periods - you can use the plan as soon as you receive your package with the plan cards in the mail. Also, if you do need several dental implants, there are no annual maximums so there will be no surprises. With the discount dental plans for dental implants you are expected to pay the discounted price at the time of service. However, usually a dentist will probably be able to extend a payment plan to you. This will further help your finances. And, just like with the dental implant insurances, be sure to have a qualified local dentist or specialist in the network. A dentist you can trust and who has a solid record of performing dental implant procedures.
The three ways you can save money on dental implants do not preclude each other. You can use one of them and you can use all three of them for the same implant procedure. You can shop around for a great dentist that will take both your dental implant insurance and dental implant discount plan. Just make sure the dentist office participates with all the plans that you purchase.
--Dental Cool
Recommended Links
Check for participating dentists with dental implant insurance plans here.
Check for participating dentists with dental implant discount plans here.
Showing posts with label dental plan for implants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dental plan for implants. Show all posts
Friday, December 11
Thursday, December 3
Need Teeth Work. No Dental Insurance. Four Teeth Implants.
Q.:I need teeth work done. Got no insurance now whatsoever. I need two teeth in the back pulled, on each side, total of four. I need these four teeth replaced, again with two teeth implants on each side. These would be four implants on top. My bottom teeth seem fine, none of them are deteriorating.
I have toothaches on and off. Haven't seen a dentist yet but I know they charge at least $50-$100 for an exam, $50-$60 for X-rays, not including cleanings. The extractions would be $150 or more each and I have seen implants advertised at $825 each. I may need general coverage for root canals sometime later but not now. I also have no health insurance at this time. I would have seen the dentist already if it wasn't for the costs involved. What do you suggest?
G. N., Palm Springs, California
A.: G. N., at this time, no dental insurance will help you much. The problem is you are in pain, you need your services right away. Any insurance worth their salt would not insure you because they would lose money if they paid for any major services like root canals or dental implants right away. So you could get started with an insurance plan but it won't help because insurance plans will have long waiting periods and exclusion clauses for major dental work. Most insurances do not cover dental implant work for example.
Not all is lost though. What you can do is sign up for one of the nationwide discount dental plans. As opposed to insurance plans, you can go see a dentist right away, get your services, even the major ones, and get instant savings on all these services. The restriction is that you need to see a participating dentist in order to receive the savings. I will list some of the largest plans of this kind for you. So just pick one that has dentists and specialists in / around your zip code, sign up for the plan and start scheduling your office visit. The selection of dentists should not be a problem in Southern California at all. Good luck!
--Dental Cool
Resources
Nationwide discount dental plans, Site 1
Nationwide discount dental plans, Site 2
I have toothaches on and off. Haven't seen a dentist yet but I know they charge at least $50-$100 for an exam, $50-$60 for X-rays, not including cleanings. The extractions would be $150 or more each and I have seen implants advertised at $825 each. I may need general coverage for root canals sometime later but not now. I also have no health insurance at this time. I would have seen the dentist already if it wasn't for the costs involved. What do you suggest?
G. N., Palm Springs, California
A.: G. N., at this time, no dental insurance will help you much. The problem is you are in pain, you need your services right away. Any insurance worth their salt would not insure you because they would lose money if they paid for any major services like root canals or dental implants right away. So you could get started with an insurance plan but it won't help because insurance plans will have long waiting periods and exclusion clauses for major dental work. Most insurances do not cover dental implant work for example.
Not all is lost though. What you can do is sign up for one of the nationwide discount dental plans. As opposed to insurance plans, you can go see a dentist right away, get your services, even the major ones, and get instant savings on all these services. The restriction is that you need to see a participating dentist in order to receive the savings. I will list some of the largest plans of this kind for you. So just pick one that has dentists and specialists in / around your zip code, sign up for the plan and start scheduling your office visit. The selection of dentists should not be a problem in Southern California at all. Good luck!
--Dental Cool
Resources
Nationwide discount dental plans, Site 1
Nationwide discount dental plans, Site 2
Tuesday, October 20
Dental Implant Plan: Government Employee in California Seeking Supplemental Dental Insurance for Dental Implants. Has Basic Dental Insurance Now With a Low Annual Maximum
Q: I'm looking for a dental plan that would cover dental implants. I have state-sponsored Delta government dental insurance at the time. That plan is very basic, there is a lifetime maximum of $2,000 coverage on implants. However, cost of my teeth implants will be $4,000 each and I need two. I was looking for a supplemental dental insurance if there is such a thing that would help me pay specifically for my dental implants. Thanks.
F. K., Sacramento, CA
A: Well F. K., congratulations for even having a plan that covers implants. These days it is still difficult to find a reasonably priced dental insurance that even covers implants. However, as dental implants are becoming more and more common, more plans are starting to cover them. In your present situation, the best way to go would be to supplement your state-sponsored Delta with one of the supplemental discount dental plans. Many are featured by our sponsors even on this page. Most discount dental plans will save you 10-25% on implants and up to 60% on crowns that you may need on top of the implant.
However, your job is not finished with the purchase of an additional discount dental plan. As most plans offer percentage discount on implants, you would be well advised to continue to shop around among the dentists on the plan to find the dentist or specialist that best fits your needs concerning the cost and the type and quality of service that you require. With other words, make sure the dentist you pick is competent and that you feel good working with them.
--Dental Cool
Recommended links
Supplemental dental plan covering dental implants
F. K., Sacramento, CA
A: Well F. K., congratulations for even having a plan that covers implants. These days it is still difficult to find a reasonably priced dental insurance that even covers implants. However, as dental implants are becoming more and more common, more plans are starting to cover them. In your present situation, the best way to go would be to supplement your state-sponsored Delta with one of the supplemental discount dental plans. Many are featured by our sponsors even on this page. Most discount dental plans will save you 10-25% on implants and up to 60% on crowns that you may need on top of the implant.
However, your job is not finished with the purchase of an additional discount dental plan. As most plans offer percentage discount on implants, you would be well advised to continue to shop around among the dentists on the plan to find the dentist or specialist that best fits your needs concerning the cost and the type and quality of service that you require. With other words, make sure the dentist you pick is competent and that you feel good working with them.
--Dental Cool
Recommended links
Supplemental dental plan covering dental implants
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