Paying for Dental Implants

The majority of questions we are asked in Dr. Krakora’s office revolve around paying for dental implants.“Do you participate with my insurance?” “How much will my insurance cover?” “What payment plans do you offer?” And the list goes on and on.Investing in dental implants is a big decision, which is why we make sure our patients are provided an in-depth explanation of how the payment process works, how costs are allocated between our office, the general dentist, and the dental implant and prosthetics manufacturer, and the insurance coverage each patient will receive.Since every patient’s case is so unique, it’s difficult to provide an accurate estimate of the treatment cost without seeing the patient first. We receive many calls inquiring about an exact cost, but after the initial consultation, our team will walk you through the entire process after your treatment plan is mapped out.  However, for those who would prefer to have a rough estimate of procedure costs beforehand, I’ve provided a detailed outline on how to determine what your insurances will cover and the financing options our office provides. 

What Will Your Insurance Cover?

Dr. Krakora’s office participates with all major insurances, and these plans range from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Freedom Blue, Security Blue, UPMC, MetLife, etc. However, even if two patients have the same insurance plan, the coverage still varies for each person.For example, if two people have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, they aren’t guaranteed the same procedure coverage since they are classified into different groups under the insurance company.You must make sure our office participates with your plan before looking into how much coverage you may receive. Simply call our office at 724-223-0579 and our team will check your status. Sometimes this may require having your Group Number and ID ready.After ensuring our office participates, we recommend calling your provider with the correct procedure code. Each treatment is designated a specific code to send to the insurance company. It may be difficult to determine what procedures you actually need without visiting Dr. Krakora, but it never hurts to check what your plan covers!Below are common procedure codes used for dental implant surgery: 

D0330 - Panoramic X-Ray

A panoramic x-ray is taken during (or before) your first implant exam. This aids in assessing the best course of treatment for your condition. 

D0362 - CT Scan

After your consultation with Dr. Krakora, you will schedule a second appointment to have a CT Scan taken. This is a 3-D x-ray providing a more accurate picture of your jawbone and sinus cavity. 

 

D7210 - Surgical Extractions

Before implants are placed, any decayed, broken, or infected teeth in the way must be extracted. In many cases patients already have their teeth missing before getting dental implants. 

D7230 - Partial Impaction  OR  D7240 – Complete Impaction

If you have impacted teeth that need to be extracted, these two codes describe the degree to which your teeth are impacted. 

D6010 – Endosseous Implant (Dental Implant)

This code refers to a single dental implant.

 

D6104 – Bone Grafting

In some circumstances, bone grafting is necessary to place an implant. If a patient doesn’t have enough bone initially, it has to be re-built in order for the implant to be successful.This procedure code also covers indirect and direct sinus lifts, platelet rich plasma, and socket grafting.Feel free to call our office with any further questions regarding insurance coverage. 

Financing Options

There is no need to panic if your insurance provider doesn’t cover as much of the cost as you were hoping for. Many people do not have any insurance coverage for dental implants and are still able to proceed with (and afford) their surgery. The majority of patients choose to charge their surgical expenses to credit cards and make monthly payments from there.If you think about it, millions of people don’t hesitate to charge cars, furniture, and other large material items to their credit cards, and these items don’t last forever! With dental implants, you are investing in a lifelong solution to improve your smile, health, and confidence. 

CareCredit

Paying for dental implants can also be done through CareCredit. Essentially, CareCredit is a credit card specific to medical procedures. This program is designed to make paying for dental and medical procedures less stressful through a convenient financing alternative. 

 So you may be wondering, “How does CareCredit differ from other credit cards?”Through Dr. Krakora’s office, short term financing options completed in 12 months or less will not be charged with any interest! A longer term healthcare financing is also available for 24, 36, 48, or 60-month periods with Equal Fixed Monthly payments and a 14.9% APR until payments are complete.To apply for CareCredit simply visit their website or call 1-800-677-0718. 

All-On-4: New Teeth New Life Breakdown

It’s important to note that the All-On-4 dental implant procedure is different than placing four single implants. All-On-4 is priced as one bulk cost covering all of your exams and follow up appointments with Dr. Krakora, warranty on your implants for 2 years, a temporary and permanent set of teeth, and any extractions or bone grafting (if necessary) to complete the surgery.This procedure differs from individual dental implants because the four implants placed act as a system. Two implants are placed at an angle allowing an entire bridge of teeth to be supported by only four implants as opposed to having an implant per tooth. For more information on how the procedure works, visit our New Teeth New Life page.In regards to financing for the All-On-4, there isn’t an “all-on-4 procedure code” to request coverage from your insurance. There have been some cases where insurance companies covered portions of the surgery, but it’s best to schedule a consult with Dr. Krakora and review the financing options in further detail with our team. 

Conclusion

Unfortunately, the cost of dental implants is one of the biggest factors holding patients back from taking the necessary steps to regain optimum oral health and improve their confidence. Although the cost may seem like a lot up front, dental implants are a lifelong solution. If you consistently practice proper dental care, there is no reason your implants shouldn’t last you a lifetime!We see patients everyday struggling with less efficient options, such as bridges, partials, and dentures. These alternatives may be cheaper at first, but over the years, the cost of maintenance and repairs exponentially add up. Not to mention, the physical and emotional problems these teeth replacement options may cause.Don’t let financials be the sole reason holding you back from the smile you deserve! Our office is here to help you every step of the way.