Does Dental Insurance Cover Implants? The Facts About Dental Implants Insurance Coverage
One of the first questions we hear at Smile Now is, “Does dental insurance cover implants?” If you are considering a full mouth transformation, you may also wonder whether it makes sense to have your teeth removed elsewhere first—especially if your insurance promises to pay for those extractions in full. Below we break down how insurance really works, what happens when you delay implant placement, and why a coordinated, same-day approach with our team delivers the healthiest smile—and often the lowest overall cost.
Dental Implants Insurance Coverage
Most standard dental plans still answer “no” to the question, “Does dental insurance cover implants?” They will, however, often reimburse a portion of related surgical codes. Because an extracted tooth no longer needs coverage, insurers cap reimbursement per year—usually between $1,500 and $3,000—regardless of whether you use an in-network or out-of-network doctor. The surprise for many patients is that having extractions and implants completed together does not reduce the amount insurance will pay; it simply prevents unnecessary appointments and costly bone-loss complications down the road.
Tooth Extraction Cost With Insurance
- Annual Maximums Still Apply: Even if your plan advertises 100% coverage on extractions, the payout stops once you hit your yearly cap.
- One-Doctor Continuity: Completing extractions and implants in the same visit lets our surgeons plan ideal implant angles while bone is freshest.
- Transparent, All-Inclusive Fees: We submit the same extraction codes your general dentist would, but bundle them with implant services so there are no hidden surprises.
Should I Get Teeth Pulled Before Implants? What the Experts Say
Patients often times ask, “Should I get my teeth pulled before implants to save money?” This is a good question, but in reality separating the two procedures usually increases cost and healing time. Here’s why the best answer to “Does dental insurance cover implants?” often comes back to timing rather than location:
- Immediate Bone Preservation: Jawbone begins to shrink within weeks of extraction. Same-day implants preserve critical width and height, reducing or eliminating grafts.
- Fewer Surgeries, Faster Recovery: One surgical event means one set of medications, fewer days off work, and a single recovery timeline.
- Seamless Aesthetics: Planning starts with the end in mind—your final smile. Our prosthodontists, surgeons, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) work side-by-side so your teeth look natural the very same day.
Case 1: Saving Time & Bone with Same-Day Implants
Maria’s insurance promised to pay 80% of her extractions, and she almost scheduled them with a different office. After learning that Smile Now could obtain the same extraction reimbursement while placing All-On-4 implants the same day, she chose the streamlined path. Maria walked out with functional, attractive teeth and avoided the nine-month bone-graft delay her friend experienced elsewhere.
Case 2: Delayed Implants Led to Costly Grafting
Ron had his teeth removed first, believing it answered the question, “Does dental insurance cover implants?” in his favor. Twelve months later he came to us toothless—and with 40% bone loss. Additional sinus lifts and ridge augmentation added nearly $6,000 out of pocket and stretched his total treatment timeline to 18 months.
Case 3: One-Doctor Continuity Eliminated Hidden Bills
Angela combined extractions, 4-6 implants per arch, and zirconia bridges under a single plan. Because our team handled every phase—including anesthesia by a CRNA—her insurance check for extractions went straight toward the surgical package, leaving only her elective upgrades to finance.
Maximizing Coverage at Smile Now
Our insurance coordinators handle the paperwork so you can focus on healing—not billing codes. Whether your policy contributes a little or a lot, our goal is simple: make the most of every dollar. At Smile Now, we…
- Submit All Eligible Claims: Extractions and temporary prosthetics are filed for reimbursement when possible.
- Offer Flexible Payments:
- 0 % interest third-party financing
- Extended terms up to 96 months
- Package discounts for couples or full-arch cases
- Provide One Transparent Fee: Your written quote covers surgery, implants, sedation by our CRNAs, and final zirconia teeth—no surprises.
Bottom line: Asking “Does dental insurance cover implants?” is smart—but letting an annual maximum dictate your clinical sequence may cost you far more in grafts, extra office visits, and lost confidence. The healthiest, most cost-effective solution is to remove failing teeth and place implants in one coordinated visit.
Your Next Step to a Lifetime Smile
Ready for answers tailored to your mouth, budget, and policy? We’re here to help with a FREE Consultation that includes a CT scan, digital smile design, and a personalized treatment roadmap. Contact Smile Now today and discover how simple—financially and clinically—your full mouth dental implant journey can be.