How do you afford to pay for dental implants? Sometimes you must get creative and have an open mind to reduce what you must self-fund for this costly procedure for replacing missing teeth.
Supplemental insurance and lending programs unlock the financial assistance hidden in the tax code. However, plans without waiting periods often include missing tooth clauses.
Learn the implications of the hidden fine print.
What is the best way to afford dental implant surgery or dentures? Have somebody else give you the money via financial assistance or by government grants.
Unfortunately, charitable organizations rarely provide help for cosmetic procedures. However, the government provides grants hidden in the tax code.
How can you afford your dental implants or dentures is you cannot estimate your out-of-pocket costs? Know what you are likely to spend before you undergo the procedure.
Knowing the average costs helps you shop around to find the right periodontists, and enables you to take advantage of several forms of financial assistance.
People should begin shopping for dental insurance before their oral health declines. After all, the purpose of any coverage is to protect your finances against unforeseen future expenses.
Therefore, expect to find a missing tooth clause in any plan covering dental implants, including those without waiting periods or annual maximums.
However, buying coverage can help you qualify for grants.
Patients need every little bit of help when paying for pricey dental implants out-of-pocket – even when they have insurance. Fortunately, these expenses are tax-deductible per IRS rules.
Make the most of your IRS discounts by choosing the money-saving vehicle that matches the number of teeth you are replacing: Schedule A, Flexible Spending, or Health Savings Account.
Bite-sized morsels are more comfortable to swallow than trying to down an elephant all at once. Likewise, monthly payment plans fit a patient’s budget more readily.
However, do fool yourself into thinking that in-house financing for dental implants is the way to go. Your local provider will most likely refer you to a third-party finance company that might not offer the best terms.
Paying for dental implants out-of-pocket can be so expensive that many people cannot afford to replace their teeth this way. A full-mouth restoration can cost $80,000 or more!
Your health insurance may cover a more significant share (with no annual maximum to limit benefits) if you can show medical necessity: tie your tooth loss to an accident or illness.
Senior citizens on Medicare often cannot continue work-based dental plans that might cover a significant portion of implant costs. Plus, the alternatives are not great since many already have missing teeth and other pre-existing conditions.
The patients who can afford to wait gain the most value from purchasing an individual plan. Meanwhile, oral surgery is sometimes medically necessary.