How Much Do New Teeth Cost With Insurance? Which Dental Insurance Should You Buy?

Did you just visit your dentist? Did they advise you on getting a new tooth or whole dental implants? We’re pretty sure you will be blown away by the cost of new teeth. One of the most expensive medical services is dental work. A single visit can cost you a lot of money, which is why many people simply avoid going for a dental checkup.

Dental implant surgery is one of the high-priced surgeries. A normal wage person is sure to struggle with paying for the surgery to get new teeth.  This is why dental insurance exists; they help you cover the cost and keep it within the budget.

If you are looking for ways to save up money, then buying dental insurance is essential. Furthermore, if you have a major surgery like dental implants, insurance can help you cover the cost.

Many people have dental insurance, so they might wonder how much do new teeth cost with insurance? Just because you have dental insurance does not mean it can cover every dental cost; It depends on what plan you buy.

The answer to the question: how much do new teeth cost with insurance is quite extensive.  Read the following article to find out every detail about new teeth’ cost with or without insurance.

Know everything about dental insurance, how much do dental implants cost, and the best insurance companies for dental implants through the complete guide below:

Dental insurance

Dental insurance is a type of insurance offered by various insurance companies or policyholders to individuals. It is a contract signed between the insured person and the insurer over some agreed policies. An individual has to pay some amount of fee every month as a premium to gain benefits from the insurance company.

Dental insurance is solely for dental benefits. Some insurance companies offer it with medical insurance as an addition, but you can also buy it separately without health insurance.

Most people buy medical insurance and add dental benefits, while others prefer to buy proper dental insurance to ensure their teeth’ health with more cost benefits. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend on the insurance fees.

How does dental insurance work?

Since dental insurance is only related to teeth, it does not have any complicated plans. In fact, compared to medical insurance, understanding dental insurance is quite easy.

For dental insurance, there are a few options from which you can choose to buy. It all depends on your preferences and needs. You can either get insurance to see specific dentists if any insurance company has a network of those dentists. For example, if you prefer going to the dentist from ABC Hospital and an insurance company gives coverage to ABC Hospital in their network of organizations, then you can buy that insurance and continue seeing your dentist. The plan will also be less expensive in terms of premium.

Another option is if you do not have any specific dentist, then buy dental insurance and pick one from their network of organizations. All the dentists mentioned in the network are highly competent; the insurance companies go through great lengths to include the best medical practitioners in their network. You also save time and effort in looking for the right dentists.

You can also buy dental insurance if the dentists are not included in the network, but note that, just like medical insurance covers less for out-of-network medical bills, the same is the case with dental insurance. More money goes out of your pocket than insurance.

Then comes the most common medical insurance with dental benefits. In this case, the insurance company gives the most basic coverage like preventive care checkups.

Dental insurance works the same way as any other insurance. There is a deductible, copayment, and coinsurance set that the insured person must follow to gain benefits. For example, if the insurance plan says $100 deductible, once the insured person pays $100 out of their pocket, the insurance company will cover the cost for the remaining year or until the term ends.

What does dental insurance cover?

Insurance companies offer almost all the coverage for dental care. The medical professionals and insurance experts sit together to devise the best plans that cover all the needs of insured individuals. Before you ask how much do new teeth cost with insurance, you should know what dental insurance covers.

Dental insurance plans are offered by most insurance companies are mainly three categories:

Preventive plans

Preventive plans are the cheapest because you only get coverage for the most common preventive care. These plans are usually for those who need dental checkups once or twice a year and need coverage for that.

Preventive plans cover costs for:

• Dental checkups
• Preventive care
• X-rays
• Cleanings

According to many insurance companies, the preventive category covers 100% cost for these procedures.

Basic plans

Basic plans are cheaper in cost and cover basic stuff related to dental care. Most people choose to buy this plan because it covers the cost for:

• Cleanings
• Fillings
• Root canal
• Crowns

To ensure that your teeth are in great health, you can get routine exams whenever you want to without worrying about the cost. Most basic plans will cover 80% cost of these procedures; the individuals themselves should cover the rest.

The premium is usually cheap for individuals as well as for families. If you have a good income, you can buy these plans with medical insurance.

Full coverage plans

Full coverage dental plans are more specific and cover the cost of complex surgeries as well. These plans do not just help you pay for surgery costs, but also the regular checkups are fully covered with no out-of-pocket cost.

These plans are quite expensive but not enough compared to actual dental expenses. When you buy a full coverage plan, you save a lot of money and stay on budget. By full coverage, it does not mean 100% cost, but that most percentage is covered by the insurance company. For example, if you require dental surgery and have insurance that covers 50% of the cost, then the rest 50% should be paid by you. The 50% also comes once you fulfill all the deductibles and copayment costs.

In a full coverage plan, the insurance company covers the cost for:

• Surgical extractions
• Dentures
• Veneers
• Dental implants
• Clear aligners
• Braces
• Other restorative and orthodontic treatments

These procedures are most expensive, and people dread paying for treatments. However, smart people who buy dental insurance save money and also gain maximum benefits.

Does insurance cover dental implants?

Yes, if you buy an implant-specific plan or sign with an insurance company that offers coverage for implants. Otherwise, No. Even if you buy the full coverage or major procedure dental plan, a common insurance company will still not cover the cost for dental implants.

A lot of insurance companies consider dental implants part of cosmetic procedures; therefore, they don’t provide coverage for it. Furthermore, The basic plans that you buy with medical insurance also do not cover the cost of dental implants since they only give coverage for dental checkups.

If you are looking for ways to save money to get dental implants, then we advise you to buy insurance that specifies it. It will not only save money but keep you on budget.

How much does dental insurance cost?

Many people wonder how much budget they should set aside for dental insurance. According to insurance agents, the average dental insurance for an individual is around $50 per month and $360 per year.

The cost can be higher than this if you choose to buy the major dental insurance because those procedures cost more money than basic checkup plans. The cost can also vary based on which insurance company you are buying from, which state you live in, and what your medical condition is.

Top 7 dental insurance companies for implants in 2022

For your convenience, in case you haven’t bought dental insurance yet, we have compiled insurance companies that offer the best dental plans in the country. All offer dental implants coverage but vary in percentage.

As long as you are a legal citizen of the United States, you can buy dental insurance from any of the companies. Here are some of the best dental insurance companies for implants in 2022:

Anthem

Anthem insurance company offers the best coverage for implants. Once you sign with Anthem Essential Choice Platinum dental plan, you get the out-of-pocket maximum of $2,000 per year, which is quite generous and cost-effective for individuals.

This insurance company is specifically famous for providing coverage for implants. Although the rates of premium are quite expensive compared to other insurance companies, their waiting period for implant coverage is only six months, and you can get waived from that period if you have proof of previous coverage.

Anthem Essential Choice Platinum is only available in 14 states, so people who don’t live in those states cannot buy the insurance plans. According to the website, the insurance plan premium costs around $50 for an individual, and for a family, it is $150.

Delta Dental

Delta is one of the well-known insurance companies that offer implant coverage in their dental plans. There are different plans made for each age group and family to ensure every individual gets maximum benefits.

Delta Dental offers three categories:  PPO, HMO, and Direct Dental Plans. You can pick either of the plans. Each plan varies in terms of coverage, i.e., the higher the premium, the higher coverage you get. This can be convenient because you don’t have to worry about a lack of options.

Many people buy Delta Dental insurance to afford implants surgery. They have specific Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans that solely cover dental services costs for the insured person. You will find out the exact figure for how much do new teeth cost with insurance through dentists who are in-network with Delta.

With Delta, you can only get 50% coverage for dental implants and other major surgeries, and they have deductibles and copayments on a yearly basis. If you have a pre-existing dental condition, then the insurance will not cover the cost of its treatment. However, unlike other insurance companies, Delta Dental insurance is the only one that provides a variety of plans for dental implants.

Cigna

The first choice for every individual should be Cigna to buy dental insurance. They have very specific dental plans and the best network of organizations. According to many Cigna-insured individuals, this insurance company has at least 93,000 dentists in their network that they can choose.

Cigna is available in 50 states and offers up to $1,500 coverage for insured individuals. You can either sign for basic plans for a cheaper premium or a major plan for an expensive premium. Cigna is known for giving cost benefits to treat restorative and orthodontic procedures.

However, only a few plans give the facility for restorative or cosmetic procedures coverage. Cigna Dental Care DHMO is one of the dental plans that offer dental implants coverage, but there is a limit to it.

Once you sign with Cigna, you get the benefit of no deductibles and copays for preventive care checkups. This means you can get checked whenever you want to without worrying about money. Note that if you need major surgeries, Cigna’s waiting period can take 6-12 months.

Just to give an idea about Cigna’s premium and coverage. If you buy Cigna Dental 1000, then the premium costs around $30 per individual. The insured person gets Up to $1,000 of restorative care cost benefits per year.

Denali Dental

Offering up to a $6,000 coverage limit, Denali Dental offers two policy plans for dental implant surgery coverage. Although prices vary from one state to another, this insurance company is famous for providing the best plans that cover major dental surgeries and treatments.

Denali Dental is one of the oldest insurance companies for dental plans. They offer only two dental plans:

The Denali Summit Plan provides 30% for major procedures, 100% for preventive, and 50% for diagnostic in the first year; as the year spans, the percentage also increases. You can get 60% coverage for major procedures by the fourth year of the insurance plan.

The Denali Ridge Plan offers 100% preventive care, 10% major procedures, and 50% diagnostic. When you continue your plan for four years, you can receive 80% coverage for diagnostic treatments and 50% for major.

This insurance is the best for long-term insurance subscriptions. With Denali Dental, you save yourself from worrying about dental checkups, and the coverage also increases every year.

Spirit Dental & Vision

If you are busy and don’t have the patience to wait, Spirit Dental & Vision is the best option for you. They include dental implants in their coverage plans and have a big reputation in the market for giving maximum benefits, especially for deductibles.

You only have to pay a $100 deductible per year, and the insurance plan covers the rest of the year. However, if you have a pre-existing condition, the insurance won’t pay for the treatment. You will have to pay for it yourself.

The best thing about Spirit Dental & Vision is you don’t have to observe the waiting period for the insurance to start. The coverage plan begins as soon as you sign with the company.

When an individual buys the insurance plans, they get $1,500 coverage for the first year, then $2,500 for the second year, and so on. The premium, in the beginning, is $60 per month, and it increases each year.

Humana Dental

Humana Dental is known for being the best in the country. Although they are mostly known for their medical insurance plans, their dental insurance plans are also of top-notch benefits.

Humana is best for people who look for basic plans and low premiums. What’s more? They have $1,000 to unlimited coverage benefits. Furthermore, they provide 100% coverage for preventive care, saving you the cost of paying for checkups every time you visit.

The insurance company also has the largest network of dentists in the country, around 270,000, which means if you have a private dentist, they are likely to work with Humana.

To get implants or any other major surgery through Humana Dental, you may have to wait for a long period. Only some plans have a long waiting period; it depends on how busy they are.

The insurance company offers two options, either you can get a lifetime deductible or an annual deductible. The premium price is around $50 per person. Visit one of Humana’s in-network dentists to know how much do new teeth cost with insurance.

Ameritas

Ameritas is a U.S.-based insurance company committed to providing the best dental plans in the country. They offer various plans to get dental implants and have a coverage limit of $2,000. When an individual signs a contract with Ameritas, they don’t have to wait a certain period for the coverage plan to be effective.

Although if you get implants in the first year of the plan, the company will only cover 20% of the cost. In the second year, you will get 50% coverage.

Ameritas provides one of the best services in the country within its network of dentists. The insurance company has included every important dental service to facilitate its members.

Ameritas is spread around the country, and each area has a different coverage limit. To know a specific coverage plan about your state, you can visit their official website and enter your ZIP code to find out. The website also has details to know how much do new teeth cost with insurance through Ameritas.

Now that you know the best insurance companies for dental implants, you can pick out any of them and buy them based on your preferences. Each company has specific facilities, some are only available in a few States, and some vary in terms of plans for different States.

Be sure to do thorough research before you buy insurance.

How much do dental implants cost?

Everyone wants to look perfect, and there is no harm in that if done moderately. A smile is one of the charming points that win people’s hearts; therefore, many people get dental implants or other cosmetic surgery to perfect their smiles. Sometimes, dentists also recommend dental implants due to some complications like a missing or broken tooth by replacing it with a fake tooth.

Dental implant surgery comes under the major category. It is one of the most expensive dental procedures that can cost you a fortune. According to many dentists, dental implant surgery can cost around $4,300 to $6,500 for one tooth. However, this cost can vary based on the patient’s mouth condition.

The procedure follows an artificial tooth surgically placed on the jawbone that works the same way as the natural tooth. The dentist measures the tooth space, shapes, and colors of the artificial tooth that can fit well in your mouth. This procedure takes a lot of precision and hard work. The material cost is also high; the price varies based on whether you get a composite, acrylic, or porcelain material for the tooth. Thus, the cost of getting an implant is also high.

Permanent teeth implants cost

For a permanent dental implant set, the average cost is around $34,000 for the upper mouth or lower mouth; this cost is not fixed because every mouth’s situation is different.

There are mainly four types of dental implants, and each type’s costs vary.

1. Single Tooth Implant for a single implant
2. Implant-Supported Bridge for people who have several teeth missing
3. All-on-4 Implants is permanent restoration for missing teeth
4. 3-on-6 Dental Implants for six dental implants with three individual dental bridges attached to them. It’s for the whole mouth.

Some people might need to correct their jaw by adding missing teeth or need to replace the whole upper part for having decayed teeth. Your dentist will diagnose what type of permanent teeth implant you might need and then give you an estimated cost.

How much do dental implants cost with insurance?

Based on the price mentioned above, dental implants with insurance can be affordable. Instead of paying the total price, the insurance will pay some portion of the cost, and you pay the rest of it. However, the percentage varies based on what kind of procedure you are taking.

Before, insurance never covered dental implants, but now they slowly add up dental implants coverage. The top 7 companies giving dental implants coverage are mentioned above, so if you have not bought any dental insurance yet or plan to buy one, try picking one of them.

Dental implants cost with insurance also depends on other factors like getting multiple implants, single tooth, or complete implant.

If we were to give an estimate, dental insurance could reimburse you $1,500 for every implant. The cost is taken out from HSA if you have one for medical insurance.

If you already have insurance, then applying for dental implant coverage is easy. You just need to get an official statement from the dentist to prove that you need implants and observe the waiting period.

Dental implants waiting period

Some insurance companies have set a waiting period of around 6-12 months. Although it is a long wait, it is worth the coverage you are about to get. If you don’t have insurance, we recommend buying the one with the least or no waiting period so that you don’t have to wait.

Furthermore, dental implants surgery also takes 2-3 months to complete. So, even if you reach the waiting period, the surgery is going to take time.

Note that waiting periods are only limited to major procedures like dental implants. For regular checkups and cleanings, there is no waiting period. You just visit the dentist whenever you want and get it done.

How to apply for dental insurance?

Applying for dental insurance is the same as applying for medical insurance. You have four options to apply for dental insurance:

Buy it with medical insurance

If you buy medical insurance, you can add dental benefits. These dental benefits are the same as separate dental insurance in most cases, but some companies only offer coverage for preventive care. So, before buying medical insurance, read about the dental benefits first.

Buying dental coverage with medical insurance can save costs and the effort to apply again.

Apply through website

Applying for dental insurance is easy through the official website. Most insurance companies offer the facility for people to submit their applications through the website and save the effort of physically going to their office and applying.

If you know which dental plan is the best for you, buying dental insurance through the website is a piece of cake. Just visit the official website. There will be a link to apply; click on that. The website will direct you towards the online application form. You need to have soft copies of official documents, or they might ask you to mail them later after you receive a verification call from the official operators.

Read the instructions carefully before you apply, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Apply by phone

Some insurance companies offer you the facility to apply by phone.

For example, if you plan to buy a dental plan from Covered California, you can talk on the phone with the official operator to ask questions about the plan and detail you on the procedures. You just need to keep your official documents near and a good working phone. Visit the Covered California website and click on ‘Have an enroller call you.’ Once you submit the online form, the operator will call you within 30 minutes.

Other insurance companies also offer the apply on-call facility. You can also inquire about their plans and then apply.

Apply through agent

There are two types of insurance agents: representative agents from an insurance company or private agents who advise on various dental plans from different insurance companies.

Representative agents give service free of charge. For example, if you want to buy Covered California, then their agent will help with all the procedures.

Private agents take a commission for their service but provide the best dental plan advice that suits your income and needs. They are aware of all hidden and suitable details of each plan, so they save you the effort of searching for the right one and give you two or three options to pick.

Bonus: dental insurance terms

Now that you have read everything about how much do new teeth cost with insurance, you might want to buy dental insurance. Before buying one, you should be aware of some common terms used in dental insurance, so you don’t get confused when some agent is explaining the dental plans to you.

• Balance Billing: The bill by in-network dentists charges an amount not allowed by the insurance company or the allowed amount for the member. It is also called surprise billing.
• Contracted Fee: The fee agreed on by dentists and insurance providers as the full cost of every treatment
• Deductible: The amount an insured person has to pay. Once they complete the deductible, the insurance company pays the remaining dental procedure cost.
• Copayment: The fixed amount an individual has to pay after they reach their deductible, the rest of the amount the insurance provider pays.
• Coinsurance: A percentage amount the person must pay after they complete their deductible limit. The remaining percentage is covered by the dental plan.
• Coordination of Benefits (COB): If an insured person has more than one dental plan. COB is a process to decide how much each plan will cover.
• Annual maximum: Annual maximum is the amount the insurance provider will pay for dental costs each year for an insured individual or a family member.

Final words

Dental implants surgery is very complex and expensive. We hope you know how much do new teeth cost with insurance after reading this article.

Everyone dreams of having the perfect smile that makes their personality stand out. Compromising because of expensive costs should never be an option, especially if you have insurance. Although the waiting period can be quite frustrating, it is better to get implants than suffer from a broken tooth, especially if the dentist has recommended it to you.

If you still haven’t bought dental insurance, this article is a good guide to get the best dental insurance coverage in the United States.

So, buy or use your dental insurance to get the best dental implant in the country today!