It is important to one’s health to be able to eat a variety of foods. Many foods are hard to chew. In addition, having a nice, complete smile makes one look more professional, and gives more self esteem. Tooth loss happens, though, very frequently.
For someone who is missing teeth there is a variety of replacement options. These include going without replacing teeth, or getting partial dentures. Sometimes a crown and bridge will solve the problem. If there are a lot of teeth missing a full denture may be called for. The most modern option; however is to receive dental implants.
Dental implants are permanently installed false teeth. A post is put into the jaw bone and then a tooth is made to attach to the post. Cost wise this is more expensive than dentures, usually, but the advantages are a well fitting permanent replacement. Getting dental implants tends to maintain the health of the jaw bone. Having a deteriorated jaw bone causes denture plates and partials to fit uncomfortably and insecurely.
Government funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for dental care for adults. That includes dental implants. In addition most regular dental plans won’t cover implant surgery. Crowns, bridges, braces, veneers and teeth whitening are considered to be cosmetic dental care. These are nice to have, but not essential.
Some dental insurances make dental implant options available as an additional policy or rider for an additional, higher premium. The usual coverage available is about half the cost of the implants. Many dental insurance policies require that you be covered for an extended period of time before cosmetic services are covered. In some cases that is as much as five years waiting time before implants are covered.
There are some options available to apply for Cosmetic Dental Grants. That is not insurance, but rather is a gift or grant to cover cosmetic work. It does not cost anything to apply for such a grant, but if work is needed on teeth like cleaning and filling it is unlikely that a grant will be awarded.
Healthy teeth throughout the mouth promote good physical health. They also improve professional appearance and self esteem. Generally the most natural looking and secure dental replacements are dental implants. Unfortunately they are also the most expensive options for the dental patient.
General dental insurance does not cover implants. Dental policies that provide implant coverage often are only partial coverage, with extended waiting periods required. Another option, which is not insurance is available through some employers. It is a flexible spending account for health. The patient pays for the work by having money taken out of each pay check before taxes, resulting in a tax savings for the consumer. It is a possible way to pay for dental implants since affordable insurance coverage is often not available for dental implants.
Dental implants for many are the best way to deal with missing teeth, but generally insurance does not cover the patient who needs them.