Dental implants: costs and coverage

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made of titanium alloy. The shape is similar to a screw, and the implant is placed in your jawbone to bond with your natural bone. Once the bond forms, the implant becomes a sturdy base to support one or more artificial teeth, called crowns.¹

According to the American Dental Association 2020 Survey of Dental Fees, a single dental implant can range from $540 to $2,868.¹ The cost can vary for many reasons, including: 

• Your dental plan
• Where you liveThe dentist or oral surgeon you use
• Extraction of teeth (if necessary)
• Installation and placement of implant(s)
• Fabrication and placement of replacement tooth

To avoid surprises in cost, be sure to get a detailed estimate before the surgery.

The full answer depends on the details of your individual plan. There are many cost factors to consider when getting a dental implant, including:

• Consultations
• X-rays
• Treatment before surgery, such as extractions or bone grafts
• Anesthesia
• The crown

If your dental implant is medically necessary, your dental insurance plan may cover some of the costs. You can also use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for medically necessary dental implants. HSAs and FSAs let you save money in an account before it’s been taxed to pay for eligible medical expenses.

There are 3 common dental implant types: endosteal, subperiosteal and zygoma.

• Endosteal (in the jawbone)—The most common implant, endosteal, starts with small screws or cylinders surgically placed into the jawbone. Once the wound heals, artificial teeth can be attached to the top of the implant. To be eligible, your jawbone must be healthy enough to hold the implants.
• Subperiosteal (on the jawbone)—This implant involves a metal framework getting installed on or above the jawbone and under the gumline. Once the gums heal around the framework, artificial teeth can be attached to posts sticking through the gums. Subperiosteal implants are a good option if your jawbone can’t hold an endosteal implant.
• Zygoma (in the cheekbone)— Zygoma implants are placed in the cheekbone instead of the jawbone. The implants are much longer than traditional implants and placed at an angle into the dense zygoma bone (cheekbone). Zygoma can be a good alternative if you don’t have enough bone in your upper jaw for traditional implant bridges.

Preparation

Before the procedure, your dentist or oral surgeon will give you a comprehensive examination. This may include an oral exam, X-rays, taking impressions of your teeth and color matching your natural teeth with the implant. Once you’ve been medically cleared, your dentist or surgeon will create a plan and schedule your surgery appointment.

Placement

Dental implants are done in phases. The first phase is the surgical placement of the implant. To block away the pain, your dentist or surgeon will likely sedate you by IV or give you local anesthesia to numb your mouth. Once you’re ready for surgery, they’ll make a cut in your gums in your to place the implant in the jawbone or cheekbone. Next, you’ll need to recover for a few months before the replacement teeth can be placed. The jawbone or cheekbone need to grow around the implant to make it strong enough to stay in place. You may have some swelling, minor bleeding and pain during recovery. The second phase begins when your dentist or surgeon says the implant is secure and your gums are healed. This is when the replacement tooth will be attached to the implant.

Long-term Care

Like dentures, dental implants typically need the same dental hygiene as your natural teeth. Be sure to brush them twice a day, floss every day and get a professional cleaning twice a year. The replacement teeth can’t get cavities, but the surrounding gums and can be affected by periodontal disease.

Humana offers a broad range of dental plans with varying levels of coverage, many with low monthly premiums. Some of our plans also feature no waiting periods, which means you could get covered in about 5 days. To see plans and prices in your area, check out our Humana dental insurance page.