Les MastersonDeputy Editor, Insurance
Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove...
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Les MastersonDeputy Editor, Insurance
Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove...
See Full Bio
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Les Masterson
Les MastersonDeputy Editor, Insurance
Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove...
See Full Bio
Les MastersonDeputy Editor, Insurance
Les Masterson is a deputy editor and insurance analyst at Forbes Advisor. He has been a journalist, reporter, editor and content creator for more than 25 years. He has covered insurance for a decade, including auto, home, life and health. Before cove...
See Full Bio
Deputy Editor, Insurance
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine...
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine...
Michelle Megna
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine...
Michelle MegnaLead Editor, Insurance
Michelle is a lead editor at Forbes Advisor. She has been a journalist for over 35 years, writing about insurance for consumers for the last decade. Prior to covering insurance, Michelle was a lifestyle reporter at the New York Daily News, a magazine...
Reviewed
& 1 other
Updated: Aug 8, 2024, 5:01am
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Anthem Essential Choice PPO Silver is the best dental insurance for implants, according to our analysis of 37 dental plans.
Dental implants can lead to a transformed smile and make eating an enjoyable experience again. But dental implant costs can also devour your wallet if you don’t have dental insurance. Many dental insurance companies cover the procedure that provides a base for crowns, bridges and dentures, but those companies may have waiting periods for that care.
Read more
Dental Insurance Guides
- Best Dental Insurance
- Best for Braces
- Best for No Waiting Period
- Best for Seniors
- Best Health Insurance
Show Summary
- Summary: Best Dental Insurance For Implants of 2024
- Best Dental Insurance For Implants
- What Does Dental Implant Insurance Cover?
- Cost of Implants Without Dental Insurance
- Cost of Implants With Dental Insurance
- What To Do if Dental Implants Are Not Covered by Your Insurance
- Methodology
- Other Dental Insurance Companies We Rated
- Best Dental Insurance for Implants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Next Up In Health Insurance
Summary: Best Dental Insurance For Implants of 2024
Editor's Take | Company | Company - Logo | Forbes Advisor Rating | Forbes Advisor Rating | Plan name | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | LEARN MORE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best overall for implants | Anthem | 5.0 | Essential Choice PPO Silver | See Plans | On Dental Insurance Guide's Website | Get A Quote | ||
Best for cheapest policy | Guardian | 4.5 | Core | See Plans | On Dental Insurance Guide's Website | Get A Quote | ||
Best for no waiting period | Spirit Dental | 4.2 | Spirit Core PPO | See Plans | On Dental Insurance Guide's Website | Get A Quote | ||
Best for annual maximum coverage | UnitedHealthcare | 4.2 | DentalWise 2000 | See Plans | On UnitedHealthcare's Website | Get A Quote |
How We Chose the Best Dental Insurance For Implants
Best Dental Insurance For Implants
BEST OVERALL FOR IMPLANTS
Anthem
Essential Choice PPO Silver
50%
Six months
Editor's Take
Anthem’s Essential Choice PPO Silver stands out in our analysis because it offers excellent monthly premiums and 50% coverage for dental implants, which is better than many competitors.
Pros
- Low monthly premiums.
- Covers major care at 50%, though there’s a six-month waiting period.
- Low annual deductible ($50 per person or $150 for a family).
- Covers dentures at 50%.
Cons
- Annual maximum coverage of $1,000 is below many competitors.
- Orthodontia isn’t covered.
Expert’s Take
Anthem’s Essential Choice PPO Silver is notable for its broad network and decent coverage for major services, including implants. The waiting period can be a downside—typically around six months to a year for major services—but the overall cost-benefit balance is positive given the comprehensive care offered.
– John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance
BEST FOR CHEAPEST POLICY
Guardian
4.5
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring plan
Core
Percent of dental implant care covered
50% ($700 lifetime max)
Dental implant waiting period
12 months
Core
50% ($700 lifetime max)
12 months
Editor's Take
We like that Guardian Core’s monthly premium is well below the average for policies with implant coverage for companies we assessed. We also like the generous percentage offered for dental implants, but that comes with a low lifetime max and 12-month waiting period and a $700 lifetime max.
Pros
- Cheapest monthly premiums of the policies we compared that have implant coverage.
- Low deductible for non-preventive services ($50).
- Major care is covered at 50% from the start, which isn’t offered by many competitors, though that comes with a 12-month waiting period.
More:Guardian Dental Insurance Review
Cons
- Annual maximum coverage limit is only $500 in the first year, $750 in second year and $1,000 in the third year and beyond.
- Preventive care is only covered at 80%. Many competitors cover those services at 100%.
Expert’s Take
Guardian’s Core plan strikes a balance between affordability and coverage. It’s appealing due to its lower premiums and competitive rates for implant coverage. However, clients should be prepared for waiting periods of up to a year for major services. Despite lower annual maximums, the plan promises essential care without heavy financial burden.
– Ben Klesinger, co-founder and CEO of Reliant Insurance Group
BEST FOR NO WAITING PERIOD
Spirit Dental
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring plan
Spirit Core PPO
Percent of dental implant care covered
First year: 25%; second year and beyond: 50%
Dental implant waiting period
None
Spirit Core PPO
First year: 25%; second year and beyond: 50%
None
Editor's Take
We love that Spirit Dental’s Spirit Core PPO doesn’t have a waiting period for implants or any other service. The policy offers 25% coverage for dental implants in the first year and 50% in the second year and beyond once you reach your policy deductible.
Pros
- Average annual premium is cheaper than average for policies with implant coverage.
- Covers orthodontia (for children) with no waiting period.
- $100 lifetime deductible means you don’t have to deal with an annual deductible.
Cons
- $25 enrollment fee.
- Basic care is only reimbursed at 50% and major care 25% in the first year. These percentages increase to 80% and 50% respectively once you reach your third year with coverage.
Expert’s Take
What sets Spirit Dental apart in our analysis is the absence of waiting periods for implants. This is particularly beneficial for those needing immediate dental work. While the premiums are higher, the lifetime deductible and multiple annual cleanings offer significant value, making it a savvy choice for urgent implant needs.
– Ben Klesinger, co-founder and CEO of Reliant Insurance Group
BEST FOR ANNUAL MAXIMUM COVERAGE
UnitedHealthcare
4.2
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Top scoring plan
DentalWise 2000
Percent of dental implant care covered
50% ($1,500 maximum lifetime benefit for implants)
Dental implant waiting period
12 months
On UnitedHealthcare's Website
DentalWise 2000
50% ($1,500 maximum lifetime benefit for implants)
12 months
Editor's Take
We picked UnitedHealthcare’s DentalWise 2000 because it has a $1,500 maximum lifetime benefit for implants, which is better than many dental policies. The policy also offers one of the highest annual maximum coverage amounts for overall coverage ($2,000 per person).
Pros
- Lower monthly premiums than the average for policies with implants for the companies we evaluated.
- No waiting periods for preventive, basic or major care.
- Dentures covered at 15% in the first year before increasing to 50% with no waiting period.
Cons
- Annual deductible of $100 per person is higher than many competitors.
- Major care is only reimbursed at 15% in the first year before increasing to 50%.
Expert’s Take
UnitedHealthcare’s DentalWise 2000 provides a robust plan for implants with reasonable annual maximums and a respectable network of providers. Its cost structure is competitive, especially for families needing comprehensive dental care.
– John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance
What Does Dental Implant Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance with implant coverage may cover:
- Anesthesia.
- Consultations.
- Crowns.
- Pre-surgery treatments, such as bone graphs.
- X-rays.
The specific types of coverage may vary by dental insurance policy. It’s crucial to look closely at the fine print of a dental insurance plan and understand what’s covered.
Digging into the policy information will help you make an informed decision about dental implant treatment and your expected out-of-pocket costs related to implants. Learn more about each of the following, and contact your dental insurance company about any of these factors that aren’t clear:
- Out-of-network care costs: You may face higher costs if you can get care outside of your dental plan’s provider network.
- Pre-existing conditions: Look for any pre-existing conditions restrictions. For example, if you had a tooth missing before you had the dental policy, the treatment may not be covered.
- Usual, customary and reasonable: If your dental insurance company determines that implant-related costs were not “usual, customary and reasonable,” the policy may not cover your costs or reimburse you only partially.
EXPERT TIPS
How To Choose Dental Insurance Companies for Implants
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Penny Gusner
Insurance Senior Writer
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Look Into Coverage Limits
I suggest you keep in mind coverage limits for implant care. Not all dental insurance policies offer implant coverage, and those that do often cap coverage. A policy that covers 50% for dental implants may sound great, but if the coverage limit is well below $1,000, you may still wind up paying the bulk of the costs.
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Be Mindful of Waiting Periods
I’ve seen dental insurance policies with multiple waiting periods. You may have to wait six months or longer to use your policy for many services, including implants. If your top reason for dental insurance is implant coverage, make sure you understand how long you may have to wait to get that coverage.
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Look for Exclusions
I’d suggest checking for pre-existing conditions that may exclude you from coverage, such as a “missing tooth clause.” That clause means the policy won’t cover the implant if the tooth it’s replacing was extracted before your dental plan was in place.
Penny Gusner
Insurance Senior Writer
See How Much Is Covered
Dental policies don’t cover implants at 100%. Coverage can vary from not covering it at all to picking up 50% of the costs. However, I’ve found that 50% may also come with maximum coverage limits for implants, so make sure you understand exactly how much the policy will cover.
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Find Out About Deductibles
Dental insurance policies have deductibles, either annual or lifetime. Choosing a policy with a lifetime deductible may save you money in future years, but I’d say you shouldn’t sacrifice choosing a lifetime deductible if it means paying much higher premiums.
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
More: Best Dental Insurance For Seniors
Cost of Implants Without Dental Insurance
The average cost for a dental implant without insurance is between $3,000 and $4,500 per tooth and may reach between $20,000 and $45,000 if you need a mouthful of implants, according to the American Dental Association.
Consider that many treatment steps are involved with implants, each of which can be expensive. For starters, a tooth that needs to be extracted will have its own cost. The implant itself—a ceramic or metal screw—and its placement into the jawbone will be another separate cost.
You’ll also need an abutment, a component that connects your implant to a crown, as well as the crown itself. You may require a bone graft or sinus lift, as well, which has its own price tag.
Cost of Implants With Dental Insurance
How much you may pay for implants with dental insurance varies depending on your specific coverage, deductible and maximum coverage limits.
- Let’s say you have a dental implant procedure that costs $3,000 and you’ve had no other work done this year.
- You have a $100 annual deductible and 50% coverage for implants.
- At that point, you may have to pay $1,600 when the coverage amount and deductible is factored in. But don’t forget to factor in a policy’s annual coverage maximum and any limits on implant care.
Dr. Jaclyn Tomsic, a Cleveland-based oral and maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in implants, warns that additional costs may go beyond the implant costs, including the dentist’s fee for the crown and its replacement. If you have annual coverage maximums, you may want to spread out dental implant work over two calendar years. Talk to the dentist and oral surgeon about what work will be involved.
More: How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?
What To Do if Dental Implants Are Not Covered by Your Insurance
There are other avenues if your current dental insurance plan doesn’t provide coverage for implants and you can’t qualify for or can’t afford a different plan that offers that coverage.
- Consider a dental discount plan: Dental discount plans work with a network of dentists who agree to provide patients discounted rates. You pay a fee when you sign up for the discount plan, receive a membership card and present it when you go for dental care to get your reduced price. There are no annual maximum coverage limits and typically no waiting periods. Dental discount plans generally provide an in-network discount of at least 10% for covered procedures, which can include major work like implants.
- Negotiate cost with your dentists: You may be able to negotiate an affordable fee with your dentist and/or oral surgeon or enter into a flexible payment plan. Your dentist/oral surgeon may also provide in-house financing or refer you to a third-party lender.
- Check your health insurance plan: Investigate whether your separate health insurance plan may cover dental implants. This may be true if, for example, you require a tooth replacement after the loss of a tooth from oral cancer or another medical complication.
Methodology
We compared the top policies from Forbes Advisor’s analysis of the best dental insurance companies by reviewing each plan’s dental implant coverage and waiting periods. Our ratings are based on:
- Costs. We compared costs for a 30-year-old female in California: 40% of score.
- Implants coverage amount: 40% of score.
- Implants waiting period: 20% of score.
Other Dental Insurance Companies We Rated
Company | Plan name | Forbes Advisor rating |
---|---|---|
Anthem | Essential Choice PPO Gold |
|
Anthem | Essential Choice PPO Platinum |
|
Guardian | Achiever |
|
Guardian | Diamond |
|
UnitedHealthcare | DentalWise Max 2000 |
|
UnitedHealthcare | DentalWise Max 3000 |
|
Ameritas | PrimeStar Boost |
|
Anthem | Essential Choice PPO Incentive |
|
Denali Dental | Summit Plan |
|
Spirit Dental | Spirit Pinnacle PPO |
|
Spirit Dental | Spirit Senior Preferred PPO |
|
Ameritas | PrimeStar Complete |
|
Denali Dental | Ridge Plan |
|
Best Dental Insurance for Implants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is dental implant insurance?
Dental implant insurance is a dental insurance policy that includes coverage for dental implants. It’s not a separate policy but instead included as part of a dental insurance policy’s offerings.
Many dental insurance companies and policies cover dental implants, but an insurer may have a waiting period before you can get implants and make a claim. You might also find that there’s a lower reimbursem*nt percentage for dental implants in the first year of coverage.
Is there dental insurance that covers dental implants immediately?
Ameritas, Anthem, Denali Dental and Spirit Dental offer dental insurance plans that don’t require waiting periods for dental implants. Most of those insurers were named to the Forbes Advisor best dental insurance companies.
Do you need dental insurance for implants?
You don’t have to have dental insurance that covers implants to receive treatment for one or more implants. Anyone can self-pay for dental treatment.
However, dental insurance with implant coverage can reduce the cost you pay for the care. Dental coverage can also cover preventive services like cleanings and pay for a percentage of other types of dental care, such as fillings and extractions.
How do you get dental implants covered by insurance?
The best way to get dental implants covered by dental insurance is to make sure you choose a policy that covers these procedures.
If you’re getting dental insurance through an employer, dig into the policy information to understand the coverage. If you’re buying coverage on your own, check out the companies’ websites for coverage details.
Next Up In Health Insurance
- Cost Of Dental Insurance
- Cost Of Dental Work
- Cost Of Tooth Extraction
- How Does Dental Insurance Work?
- How to Get Dental Insurance
- Is Dental Insurance Worth It?
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