A common question we receive is, “Will Insurance cover dental implants?” Most dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of dental implant procedures. Some health insurance plans cover dental implants under certain circumstances. The CG Smiles staff would be happy to recommend financing options to make related costs more manageable.

Unlike other types of dental prosthetics (bridges, partials, dentures, etc.), dental implant seek to do two things the others do not: recreate the function and stability of natural teeth and prevent loss of jawbone material (resorption). With dentures, the jawbone material is less stimulated, which causes it to demineralize and become slowly absorbed by neighboring tissue. Dental implants, on the other hand, stimulate the jawbone tissue in a manner similar to natural tooth roots, therefore there is much less bone loss.

Dental implants are not recommended in children and adolescents. Factors which may prevent adults from receiving dental implants are osteoporosis, advanced periodontal disease, diabetes, heart disease, and chemotherapy in the maxillofacial region. The doctor will perform a full health evaluation before recommending dental implant surgery.Dental implant patients should meet the following criteria:Missing one or more teethFavorable oral and general healthHealthy, mature jawboneNot immunocompromisedPass an oral health exam

All surgical procedures come with some degree of risk, and the same is true with dental implant surgery. Fortunately, complications from dental implant surgery are rare. Implant dentistry is considered low risk. The American Dental Association and National Institutes of Health estimate 98% of dental implant procedures are successful and free of adverse events. Although uncommon, issues such as surgical-site infections, nerve damage, and/or blood vessel damage can occur. Before each patient is approved for dental implants, CG Smile performs a thorough health check and screening process.

Any type of surgical procedure will come with significant cost. Some health insurance plans cover dental implants under certain situations. Although, standard dental plans rarely cover the full cost of dental implant procedures.The Consumer's Guide to Dentistry offers some general averages for what patients can expect to pay for dental implants.

$700 to $1,000 (per tooth)$15,000 to $30,000 per arch (row of teeth)The figures provided are based on national averages. A multitude of factors can influence the total cost of the procedure, such as materials, geographical location, and the practitioner’s level of experience and expertise. Then are the cost of materials; as a newer form of implant technology, you can expect to pay upwards of 50% more for zirconia implants compared to industry-standard titanium implants.

A majority of cosmetic treatments cause very little pain or discomfort. During some procedures, a local anesthetic will be applied to minimize any discomfort and to ensure you are comfortable throughout the process. If you have dental anxieties, we can also recommend a form of conscious sedation such as nitrous oxide.