With the holidays rapidly approaching, it is once again the season full of smiles, laughter and joy. However, if you are missing teeth, you may feel too embarrassed to take part in the family holiday photo or other festivities. Fortunately, dental implants in Memorial can effectively restore your smile and boost your self-confidence. Depending on your dental insurance plan, now may actually be the most economical time of year to begin implant treatment. Keep reading to learn how to maximize your dental insurance benefits to achieve a complete, beautiful smile with dental implants.
First Step: Check with Your Insurance Provider
Although dental implants are one of the most popular and effective ways to replace missing teeth and restore dental function, not all insurance plans cover implant treatment. If you are considering getting dental implants, you should first check with your insurance provider to better understand your coverage. If you would like help navigating this process, do not hesitate to ask your dentist for help! Dental staff are well-equipped with the knowledge and expertise to help you understand and maximize your insurance benefits.
Split Treatment Costs Over Two Years
If your dental insurance in Memorial covers at least a portion of dental implants, the end of the year may be the perfect time to begin treatment.
Why? Most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum, which is the upper limit the plan will pay for dental care costs per calendar year. If you do not reach this threshold before the end of the year, any remaining benefits will vanish.
So, by starting implant treatment now, you can use your remaining 2020 benefits before they expire, then take advantage of your renewed benefits next year once you have met your annual deductible.
Essentially, you would be saving money by splitting the cost of dental implants over two years and maximizing your insurance coverage!
Preliminary Treatments for Dental Implants in Memorial
Even if your dental insurance plan does not cover dental implants, you may be able to use your benefits to cover the costs of related procedures, including the following.
Initial consultation
Before you can begin implant treatment, your dentist will first examine your teeth, gums and mouth to determine if you are a good candidate. Routine preventive visits, including initial consultations, are typically covered at 100% by most dental insurance plans.
Gum disease therapy
Gum disease and other oral infections can increase the risk of implant failure. Most dental insurance plans cover some form of gum disease therapy.
Bone graft
A bone graft procedure is designed to strengthen a jawbone that has deteriorated over time due to the lack of stimulation from missing tooth roots. If deemed medically necessary, your dental insurance may cover this procedure.
This year, give yourself the gift that truly keeps on giving – a beautiful, complete smile. Talk to your dentist today about dental implants and how you can take advantage of your remaining insurance benefits to achieve your smile goals.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Gray has over 30 years of experience helping restore patients’ smiles with crowns, dentures and dental implants. He is in-network with Delta Dental and also accepts most dental insurance plans. To learn more about dental implants in Memorial or how to maximize dental insurance benefits, visit Dr. Gray’s website or call 281-493-9395.