I needed to replace all my upper teeth due to severe gum disease. I’ve since been able to get a handle on that. However, I’m having the hardest time adjusting to the denture plate. My dentist did worry I’d have a hard time with it because I have a pretty severe gag reflex. I’m wondering, because this is sort of a medical condition, if my medical insurance will cover the dental implants. They are quite pricey.
Marjorie
Dear Marjorie,
Implant Overdentures
Most medical insurance has a clause that they won’t cover anything dental. That means you’ll have to rely on whatever your dental insurance is willing to cover. There are ways to make dental implants more affordable. Just don’t confuse cheap with affordable.
Dental implants are an advanced procedure that requires a great deal of post-doctoral training. Some dentists invest more time and training than others. Some dentists cut corners to keep their prices down, but you still end up paying—usually as the result of a dental implant horror story.
Affording Dental Implants
There are a few things which can help you get the dental implants you want. First, you should know that the payments are usually done in two stages. First, in the surgical stage. Then, after a healing period, you pay the second half when it is time to get the porcelain crowns to place on top of the dental implants.
In addition to that, some dentists are willing to do payment plans to help provide affordable dental implants. There’s one other thing you can do as well. Instead of getting eight dental implants, you can get four, this will be half the cost.
Talk to your dentist. I’m sure the two of you can work something out. Patients with a strong gag reflex often have trouble with dentures. You’ll be happy to hear, they just as often find dental implants to be a wonderful solution.
This blog is brought to you by Atlanta Periodontist Dr. David Pumphrey.
