Hi there,

I would like to get implants to replace my upper teeth. I have advanced perio disease but go in every six months for scaling and root planing. I think dental implants will help me more than something removable — I tried one of those and it made me gag. However, I don’t have dental insurance, only medical. If it’s considered a medical condition that affects my daily life, could my implant be covered? How much would an implant be without insurance?

Thank you,

Bruno, from Des Moines, Iowa

 

Hi there Bruno,

Unfortunately, medical insurance will not cover this. While your teeth do affect your general health, medical insurance has a clause preventing it from covering dental issues. Otherwise, everything would be covered. If you are injured in an accident — such as a broken tooth from falling down the stairs — then your medical insurance will cover the repair.

If a removable device made you gag, then going with an implant is a good idea. Removable devices, such as partial dentures, cover the roof of your mouth, and can cause problems. Dental implants have no extra pieces, so they feel more natural.

For estimates on how much implants cost without insurance, you will need to contact local affordable cosmetic dentists. Calling a few offices for quotes will give you a better idea of cost.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge dental implant provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher.