Dental professionals believe that implants are today's best replacements for broken, decayed, or missing teeth. One of the most common questions about dental implants is whether patients can receive insurance coverage.

Insurance may cover parts of the implant procedure, especially if the patient suffered a traumatic injury. However, some dental insurers consider implants cosmetic and do not cover them.

Procedures Most Likely to Receive Partial Coverage

• Tooth Extractions
• Implant Post and Abutment Placement
• Crown Placement

Many insurers do not cover the cost of pre-operative and post-operative care, bone graft procedures, or preoperative imaging scans.

When Medical Insurance May Cover Part of the Cost

Your medical insurance may cover part of the implant process if you have lost or damaged teeth from a traumatic injury or accident.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Attractive Appearance

Implants give patients complete, healthy smiles. They look and feel natural, matching your original tooth precisely.

Boost Self-Confidence

With a full smile, you will feel less self-conscious about smiling in photos or public. You can freely show your personality to the world without feeling uncomfortable with your smile. You may attract extra personal and professional opportunities.

Protect Oral Health

Implants protect oral health by keeping teeth from shifting and closing gaps where plaque and food can collect. Crooked teeth are harder to clean, leading to higher rates of gum disease and tooth decay.

A dental implant stimulates the jawbone in the same way as a natural tooth. Without the stimulation from chewing, the jawbone around the empty socket begins to break down, causing low bone mass and density.

How Dental Implants Work

A dental implant completely replaces your whole tooth, from the root to the crown. It comprises a small titanium post that bonds with your jawbone and a stainless steel abutment or cap. A crown, bridge, or denture matches your natural teeth and completes the restoration.

Dental implant surgery involves making a small opening in the gum and jawbone, inserting the post, and allowing it to heal over time. During the next procedure, 

Types of Dental Implants

Single-Tooth Implants

Each implant replaces one tooth. Single-tooth implants are an excellent choice if your missing teeth are not adjacent. They are easy to care for, requiring only brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits.

Implant-Supported Bridges

An implant-supported bridge improves on a standard bridge. It connects to sturdy implant posts rather than crowns on natural teeth. It does not strain adjacent natural teeth, and it lasts significantly longer.

Implant-Supported Dentures

An implant-supported denture can replace a complete arch of teeth with just a few posts. Implant-supported dentures are sturdier, longer-lasting, and more convenient than removable dentures. They do not slip, click, or trap food.

Getting the Most Coverage From Your Dental Insurance

Dental insurance plans vary so much that it is vital to understand your plan in-depth before scheduling implant treatments. Here is a list of questions you should remember when speaking to your dental insurer or reviewing a new policy:

• What portions of the implant process will you cover?
• Is there a waiting period for a new policy before implant coverage takes effect?
• Does my plan have a maximum coverage limit?
• Do I have a yearly or lifetime cap on my policy?
• What percentage of the implant post and crown placement will I need to pay?

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

What should I do if I don’t have sufficient bone mass to place an implant?

You can receive a bone graft from an oral surgeon. A bone graft adds bulk to the jawbone by introducing a ground and sterilized bone matrix for the natural bone to use as a scaffold.

What happens if I don't replace an extracted tooth?

Food and plaque will collect in the gap left by your extracted tooth. Other teeth will drift out of position, changing your dental bite and contributing to further tooth loss. Your jawbone will begin to break down around the empty socket, potentially leading to a sunken facial appearance.

Contact The Ricco Dental Group

We understand that dental implants may be a significant investment in your oral health and work to make them feasible for as many patients as possible. If you want to learn about implant procedures, please contact us at one of our convenient Long Island offices today.

Dental implants are today's best tooth replacements. They provide both cosmetic and oral health benefits. Many patients with damaged or missing teeth research dental implants as a solution.

Most healthy patients can receive dental implants without problems. However, not every patient is a candidate for the procedure due to medical issues or lifestyle choices.

Who is a Good Candidate?

Good candidates for dental implants share these characteristics:

Missing or Damaged Teeth

If you need to have teeth extracted or have a gap in your smile, dental implants may be an excellent option. Dental implants provide sturdy replacements for natural teeth, improving your chewing ability as well as your smile.

Positive Oral Hygiene Habits

To care for a dental implant, you need excellent oral hygiene skills. Brush thoroughly twice daily, floss, and keep all recommended dental appointments. If your oral hygiene suffers, you may have problems with gum disease and tooth decay which can interfere with your implant.

Healthy Gums

Dental implants rely on healthy gums. Patients with gum disease have trouble healing since the implant requires a solid attachment point.

Sufficient Bone Mass in the Jaw

The titanium post or anchor bonds with your jawbone in osseointegration, creating a solid bond and ensuring a stable implant.

If you do not have enough bone mass due to missing teeth, you may be able to receive a bone graft from an oral surgeon. A grafting procedure introduces ground and sterilized bone material, which the natural bone uses as a scaffold to grow new tissue.

No Medical Conditions Affecting Healing or Immunity

Some patients with trouble healing due to medical conditions need to receive other types of tooth replacements. These conditions may include cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, and immune system issues.

Non-smoker or Willing to Quit

Tobacco products impede healing, interfering with the gum and bone's ability to hold the implant in place.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

How soon after a tooth extraction can you get a dental implant?

The dentist can often place the implant during the same tooth extraction procedure. However, needing a bone graft from the oral surgeon will require additional healing time.

Is getting a dental implant painful?

Many patients worry about dental implant surgery being uncomfortable. Since the dentist uses extensive local anesthesia, you should not feel anything but pressure during the procedure. Many patients also choose some level of sedation for the surgery. After the procedure, you may have some soreness and tenderness, but these will pass during healing.

Call The Ricco Dental Group

Dental implants can improve your life and provide long-lasting performance. Even if you have one or more issues that could preclude implants, your dentist may be able to work with you to improve your oral health and make the surgery possible. 

Please contact us at our convenient Plainview and Massapequa, New York locations to learn more about implants and how they can brighten your smile.