1. After a Fall
After a fall or accident, you may break a tooth off too far to save any of the base and the root in order to attach a cap or a crown. If the tooth is one that is visible when you open your mouth, you'll definitely want to replace it. A dental implant is a fake root on which you can attach a crown or bridge. It is freestanding and does not have to hook on to any nearby teeth. They are secure and, after the healing, you won't even know that you have them. While most dental plans do not cover dental implants, if the loss was due to an accident, you may get them covered under your medical insurance.
2. Lack of Insurance
Since most regular insurance policies do not cover dental implants, you should read the fine print in your policy before going ahead with the procedure. Your dentist's office can call your carrier to find out if any of the work might be covered. For instance, the insurance company may pay for the prep work that's done prior to the insertion of the implant. They may cover the dentist's time, but not the actual implant. Other policies impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, which may have contributed to the loss of the root.
3. Looking Good
Most insurance companies consider dental implants to be cosmetic surgery because they look so natural. They are not the cheapest way to fix the problem either. A bridge or partial is less expensive, but not as aesthetically pleasing. If you do find that your policy covers implants, most likely the coverage will be limited, probably to paying 50 percent of the charge. That can be a huge savings though, as the cost of an average implant can run as high as $3,000 to $4,000.
4. Shop Around
The costs of dental implants have been going down over the years. Many dental practices will offer specials and deals on implants if you shop around. You can always negotiate with your own dentist once you have gotten some quotes from discounters or other dentists in the area.
5. Protect Your Investment
Tooth and mouth injuries are by far the most common in contact and moving sports and fitness regimens. From falling off a bike to getting slammed in a football game, a hit to the mouth can create expensive and long-term problems. Wearing the proper helmet and mouth guards recommended for your sport is the best way to avoid those injuries. For particularly rigorous contact sports, look for a helmet with a full-face guard or separate mouthpiece.
