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If you’re exploring how to afford dental implants, you’re not alone. With a single implant costing $3,000 to $5,000 or more, it’s one of the most expensive dental procedures—and often among the least consistently covered by traditional insurance. Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, or realizing your current plan doesn’t offer the implant coverage you expected, it’s essential to understand your options. This guide breaks down how dental insurance and dental savings plans (DSPs) handle implant costs and helps you decide which is the right fit for your needs.
Why Are Dental Implants Often Not Covered by Insurance?
Dental implants are typically classified as major restorative procedures, and many dental insurance policies are designed to prioritize preventive care – which is critical to oral health – than advanced treatments. Traditional insurance plans may exclude implant procedures altogether or cover them only under medically necessary and limited conditions.
Here’s what you might run into with typical insurance plans:
- Annual maximums: Most cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500 per year, barely covering part of one implant.
- Waiting periods: It can take 6–12 months before you’re eligible for major services.
- Missing tooth clauses: If your tooth was gone before your coverage began, implants might not be covered.
- Partial reimbursement: Even if covered, implants may only be reimbursed at 50% of the cost.
- Substitute services: Some policies only pay for lower-cost alternatives, like dentures or bridges.
Given that a single implant can run over $4,000—and that doesn’t even include preparatory work like bone grafting or the final crown—many patients may face significant out-of-pocket costs even with insurance.
What Insurance Gets Right—and Where It Falls Short
While insurance can be useful for bundling preventive and major care, its value for implant coverage is often limited. For those who already have a plan and are close to completing their waiting period, insurance may cover part of the cost, especially for patients who can space treatment over time to stay under annual caps. But for those needing implants soon or facing exclusions, insurance may not go far enough.
Why Choose a Dental Savings Plan?
Dental savings plans are ideal for those who:
- Need implants immediately.
- Have been denied coverage by traditional insurers.
- Want predictable, upfront savings with no surprises.
Dental savings plans are especially useful for those without dental insurance or who need care that isn’t covered by their existing policy. Plus, there are no deductibles, waiting periods, or annual caps to worry about.
Dental Insurance vs. Savings Plans
Not sure which option suits you best? Here’s a quick guide based on your situation:
Choose Dental Insurance If:
- You already have a policy and are past (or close to) the waiting period.
- You want to combine preventive and major care under one plan.
- You can schedule your implant in stages across multiple plan years to avoid hitting the annual max.
Choose a Dental Savings Plan If:
- You need your implant soon and can’t wait for insurance coverage to kick in.
- Your insurance denies coverage or excludes implants entirely.
- You prefer straightforward, upfront discounts with no limits or delays.
Note that you cannot use dental insurance and a dental savings plan simultaneously for the same procedure. You typically can use your dental savings plan to get dental care after you’ve reached your annual maximum spending limit and to reduce the costs of treatment that dental insurance typically doesn’t fully pay for or may not be covered by dental insurance at all.
You can also use your dental savings plan to reduce the cost of procedures that are subject to a waiting period under your dental insurance. Your dentist can help you determine how to best use your insurance and your dental savings plan. And you should always check with your insurance policy and provider for any exclusions.
Make the Best Choice for Your Budget and Timeline
Dental implants are a serious investment—and often not fully covered by traditional dental insurance. While insurance plans can be helpful for long-term dental care and preventive services, they may fall short when it comes to the high cost and urgency of implants. Dental savings plans offer a flexible, affordable solution for those who want to start treatment quickly and save significantly at the point of service.
Use this plan comparison tool to explore what’s available in your area—and start saving on dental implants today.
Disclaimer: Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan. All cost averages obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool, and independent research.
