| Company | Implant coverage in year 1 | Waiting period for implants | Deductible | Annual maximum benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Dental Best Overall |
50% | 6 months | $50 | $2,000 |
| MetLife Runner up |
50% | 12 months | $50 | $1,500 |
| Mutual Doctors The most affordable |
25% | 12 months | $0 | Unlimited; $1,000 for implants |
| Spirit Better waiting period |
25% | No one | $100 | $1,200 |
| DentaQuest Best for customer satisfaction |
50% | 18 months old | $100 | $1,250 |
What does dental implant insurance cover?
Some dental insurance plans provide coverage for implants, which may include extraction of an old tooth, bone grafting, placement of the implant, local anesthesia, and the addition of a crown. However, the amount of coverage depends on the plan and coverage amounts may vary for different stages of the process.
For example, Delta Dental’s PPO Individual – Premium Plan covers 50% of dental implant procedures after the deductible is met and you pay the remaining 50%. In comparison, the Spirit Core PPO plan covers only 25% of implant procedures, so you would pay 75% of the cost out of pocket.
Another coverage factor is the maximum amount a plan will pay each year. Annual maximum benefits for the plans we researched are generally between $750 and $2,500. Some companies, including Physicians Mutual, have an unlimited annual benefit, but they may balance it out by covering a smaller percentage of the cost.
How much does dental implant insurance cost?
The cost of dental implant insurance varies depending on a number of factors, which may include your age, the insurance company, and the specific insurance plan you receive.
Based on quotes from the 13 dental insurance companies we reviewed, monthly premiums for plans with implant coverage range from $31 to $70. Annual rebates can range from $0 to $150.
How to choose the best insurance for dental implants
There are some good dental insurance plans that cover implants, but there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing a policy.
- Consider premium: The cost of your dental insurance depends on many factors. Policies with high deductibles and high annual caps often have more expensive premiums. Get dental insurance quotes from different companies to see which one can offer you the most reasonable premium for the amount of coverage you want.
- See your out-of-pocket costs: Even the best dental insurance plans have some out-of-pocket costs. For example, many plans will only cover 25% to 50% of implant procedures after you reach the deductible. If you expect to need implants in the future, consider getting a plan that provides extensive coverage. You’ll need to consider the plan’s premium and deductible, which may be higher than a plan with a lower level of coverage, and do the math to consider whether it’s worth it.
- Choose a plan with a high annual maximum and a high implant maximum: The annual maximum is the most money your insurance plan will pay for covered dental care. Once you reach the annual maximum, you will have to pay 100% of the cost of your treatment out of pocket until the next year. Some plans also limit how much they will pay for implants separately from other primary care items. If you want the most coverage for dental implants, choose a plan with a high annual maximum benefit and a high implant cap.
- Read the summary of benefits: Be sure to read the summary of benefits before purchasing a dental insurance plan to check for limitations or exclusions. For example, some plans have a separate annual benefit for complex care or specific procedures. You should also check the waiting period for major dental services (including implants), which can vary between plans.
- Check customer satisfaction ratings: Some dental insurance companies have better customer satisfaction than others. Before you buy an implant dental insurance plan, check out customer satisfaction information from the NAIC and JD Power.
How to get dental implants covered by insurance
Many dental insurance plans cover implants when they are considered medically necessary or required after an accident. However, dental insurance plans typically exclude coverage for implant procedures for cosmetic reasons.
In order to have your dental implants covered by insurance, you may need to prove that the procedure is necessary for your oral health. Your dentist may be able to provide findings from their evaluation that would classify the implant procedure and associated treatment as medically necessary.
Average cost of dental implants
Dental implants can be incredibly expensive if you don’t have dental insurance. The average cost for the various procedures that the implant procedure may include is as follows:
- Export: $135
- Bone grafting during implant placement: $552
- Dental implant: $2,013
- Prefab Stump: $718
- Implant-supported crown: $1,511
- Total cost for one tooth: $4,929
Even with the best dental insurance, your plan may only pay up to 50% of the cost of your treatment. In this case, if the total cost of an implant is $4,000, your plan would cover $2,000 (after you’ve paid your deductible) and you’d pay the remaining $2,000.
However, most dental insurance plans have an annual cap. If the plan’s annual maximum was only $1,500, for example, you would end up paying $2,500 out of pocket for the $4,000 dental implant procedure described above.
Why you should trust us
Investopedia collected 595 key data points from 17 dental insurance companies to identify the most important factors for readers choosing a dental insurance company and plan. We used this data to review each company for premiums, waiting periods and other features to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia started in 1999 and has been helping readers find the best dental insurance companies since 2020.
Frequent questions
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Dental implants are medical devices that are surgically implanted in the jaw to replace a missing tooth (or teeth) lost to disease or injury. Implants provide support for artificial teeth such as crowns, bridges or dentures.
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Dental implant insurance is a plan that covers dental implant procedures and other dental restorative services. Most plans cover up to a certain percentage of the cost of the implants after you reach the deductible. Also, most dental insurance plans only cover implants after a waiting period, so you usually can’t use your benefits right away.
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Dental insurance for implants usually does not cover implants for cosmetic purposes. In addition, many plans do not cover implants if you are missing a tooth before purchasing your dental insurance plan.
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Some dental insurance plans cover implants immediately. One example is Spirit’s Core PPO plan, which has no waiting period for dental services, including implants and other complex cases. However, the plan only covers 25% of dental implant treatment, so you will pay for most of the procedure out of pocket.
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Dental implants can be very expensive—about $5,000 or more—so dental insurance that covers implants is beneficial for some people. We found that the average monthly premium for a PPO plan that covers implants in El Paso, Texas is about $38, and you’ll have to pay your premiums during any waiting period your plan requires. Typically, this is six months to a year. So it may be worth paying for a plan if you think you’ll need implants in the future. But it makes sense to first thoroughly research any plan you’re considering and get a detailed cost estimate from your dentist.
“Don’t buy dental insurance just because you’ve decided to get a dental implant,” said Dr. Mark A. Vitale, a dentist at Edison Dental Arts in Edison, New Jersey, and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA). “Many plans do not pay for implants and may only cover an alternative and less expensive treatment, such as a partial or full denture.”
Vitale also said most programs have a maximum return that exceeds the cost of dental implants. “Unless you have a unique plan that does not have annual maximum and comprehensive coverage, do not rely on dental insurance if you choose dental implant treatment. Always research the plan and its provisions carefully.”
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To find the best dental insurance for implants, we looked at the following insurance companies:
- Delta Dental
- MetLife
- Renaissance
- Mutual Doctors
- Humana
- Cigna
- Spirit
- Guardian
- Ameritas
- DentaQuest
- BCBS Anthem
- Denali Dental
- UnitedHealth One
How we review the best dental insurance companies for implants
To determine which dental insurance companies to review, we leveraged both market data and public sentiment. We used business and industry databases to obtain market share information and user-generated data from Google to understand trends and public interest in stand-alone dental plans. This analysis narrowed our focus to 13 key companies that offer implant coverage to individuals, regardless of whether their health insurance was purchased through state or federal marketplaces or independently.
We collected data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a standard-setting and regulatory support organization that maintains a database of customer complaints. We also collected data directly from companies through websites, media contacts and existing partnerships. The data collection process took place between October 9, 2023 and December 23, 2023.
We then developed a quantitative model that rated each dental insurance provider based on 10 criteria that fall into five broad categories and are critical to evaluating the company’s offerings and benefits. We weighted the five categories as follows for this article:
- Status availability: 5%
- Customer Satisfaction: 10%
- Cost-to-value: 35%
- Cover: 45%
- Customer service: 5%
To learn more about the process of finding the best dental insurance companies, read our full methodology.
Dental Insurance Guide
