Will Dental Insurance Pay For Dentures?
Are you in need of dentures but are unsure if your dental benefits will cover the cost? Each insurance company will offer different dental coverage plans. Either a certain amount or certain percentage that will cover the cost of procedures that aren’t considered cosmetic. Though there currently aren’t many dental insurances that will cover the expense of dentures, there are government-funded dental care programs for seniors.
What Is The Difference Between Full & Partial Dentures?
Partial dentures are for patients who still have healthy teeth left but need to fill in the gaps between. They can be made for both the upper and lower jaw and are still removable. They’re typically made from acrylic materials and held together by wires, but they look and feel completely natural. They’re a good solution for those who can’t receive dental bridges.
Full dentures are just that – a full solution to fill in all your missing teeth, also commonly referred to as complete dentures. They’re made to replicate both your gums and teeth. They’re easily removable as they’re only held together by saliva between your gums and dentures. They can drastically improve chew, speech and overall appearance, but they will need to be readjusted over time as your gums change shape.
Implant-supported dentures aren’t for everybody as they require certain qualifications like a healthy and strong jawbone. If you haven’t been missing teeth for a while or don’t have diabetes or gum disease, you’ll likely qualify. Heal time is longer since implants need to be surgically attached to your jawbone, but once they heal and false teeth can be screwed on, the wait will be worth it. Implants are a great way to preserve your jawbone and shape of your face and don’t require readjustments.
Denture maintenance is fairly easy. They should be removed after eating or drinking and set in denture cleaner and water. It’s best not to leave them sitting out of water all night because they can dry out and change shape.
What Do Health Insurance Dental Plans Cover?
Most dental insurance plans from companies like Manulife, OHIP, Blue Cross, Medicare, and more cover general dental procedures:
- Checkups
- X-rays
- Cleaning, scaling and polishing
- Oral surgery
- Wisdom teeth removal
- Tooth extraction
- Root canals
- Fillings
- Crowns and bridges
- Dental implants
Each insurance company offers a different method of payment, like either covering a certain percentage or a set amount for the year. However, these dental care plans do not pay for dentures.
Why Do Dental Benefits Not Cover Dentures?
Insurance companies typically cover the cost of general checkups and major procedures listed above. But they do not cover cosmetic procedures. If you’re choosing to receive a crown, dentures or teeth whitening services because you want to improve the appearance of your smile, you won’t be covered. If your insurance plan does cover dentures, you’ll be limited to the insurance’s annual spending amount, which could be anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500. Dentures can cost more than that, so you’re still paying out-of-pocket for more than half the cost.
What Do Dentures Cost?
Complete, customized dentures can cost anywhere from $1,300 to $2,700 each, meaning for both the top and bottom. It largely depends on the materials being used. This doesn’t include the cost of your examination, tooth extraction (if necessary), and reshaping gums (if necessary). Acrylic dentures tend to be a cheaper option, but it’s best to discuss with your dentist what the best material for you is as each patient’s needs vary.
How The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program Works
There is a new publicly-funded dental program for seniors in Ontario who have a low annual income and do not have current dental benefits. The new program covers things like:
- Regular checkups/exams
- X-rays
- Cleaning, scaling and polishing
- Oral surgery
- Fillings
- Anesthesia
- And dentures!
But just like with other dental insurance plans, the amount that’s covered will be limited.