Dental insurance no waiting period for implants

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If your dentist recommends that you pull a failing tooth and replace it with a dental implant, this replaces the root of a tooth with a metal, screwlike post and has a prosthetic tooth attached to it. However, it is not an inexpensive dental restorative treatment. In the U.S., replacing just one tooth can cost between $3,000 and $4,500, while a full set replacement can average between $20,000 and $45,000.

The good news is that multiple options for dental insurance for implants exist to help pay for them. The best dental insurance for implants has substantial annual maximums, short or no waiting periods, reasonable or no deductibles, and generous coverage amounts. In addition, the best dental insurance for implants has an affordable monthly premium. Here are our top picks.

Best Dental Insurance for Implants of 2022

Best Overall: Anthem Essential Choice Platinum

Anthem Essential Choice PPO Incentive

Key Specs

• Coverage: 1 individual plan covers implants
• Maximum: $2,000 per year, with annual maximum carryover
• Availability: 14 states

Why We Chose It

We chose the Anthem Essential Choice Platinum because it has a generous annual maximum of $2,000. It also provides an annual maximum carryover benefit, which means they add your unused benefit to the following year's allowable amount.

Pros

• $2,000 in annual maximum

• Only a 6-month waiting period for major services

• Waiting period waived with proof of previous coverage

• Excellent group plans available through employers, too

Cons

• Rates vary based on geography and demographics

• Only available in 14 states

• Rates are not as low as some plans researched

With over 41 million subscribers, Anthem is an exceptional dental insurance provider with a sizeable network of more than 108,000 participating providers and 41 million insured subscribers. Anthem has a stellar rating from AM Best for financial strength.  Although its subsidiaries are state-based, Anthem Inc. is based in Indianapolis. It offers plans both directly and through employers for individuals and families and several programs in many states that supplement Medicare Part C coverage for seniors.

Anthem has the best overall dental insurance plan for implants. The $2,000 annual maximum is one of the highest we saw for the premium rate, and the annual maximum carryover for any unused benefit enhances the following year's allowance. The waiting period for implant coverage is only six months. At about $50 for an individual and roughly $150 for a family, the deductibles were in line with the other dental insurance companies we researched.

While they were not the lowest we saw, the monthly premiums for individuals were reasonable, given the benefits they provide. For example, for a woman under 50 in California, the monthly rate for the Anthem Essential Choice Platinum was around $60. Anthem dental insurance plans are available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

Best Budget: Renaissance Plan II

Key Specs

• Coverage: 2 policies that cover implants
• Maximum: $1,000 per year
• Availability: Nationwide

Why We Chose It

Although dental savings plans have even lower premiums, Renaissance's Plan II dental insurance for implants is an affordable option for dental insurance. Their less expensive policy came in at half the best overall rate and provided good coverage for subscribers.

Pros

• Pays 50% of implant services up to annual maximum of $1,000

• Lower monthly premiums than many plans that include implants

• Can choose any dentist

Cons

• Major coverage requires a 12-month waiting period

• Not all plans available in all states

Founded in 1957, Renaissance is part of the Renaissance Health Service Corporation and has top marks for financial strength from AM Best. Renaissance has a PPO network that gives subscribers 300,000 dental access points. Per the website, Renaissance Dental is available in 14 states and manages the claims of over 13 million people within its family of companies. Their dental plans are available through an employer or individually. 

Renaissance's Plan II and Plan III offer 50% coverage of implants up to the $1,000 annual maximum per subscriber. We chose Plan II as the most affordable because the premiums were lower per month than Plan III. The tradeoff is that preventative care is covered at 100% in-network for the Plan III subscribers and isn't for Plan II. We also liked that their subscribers could choose any dentist.

There is a 12-month waiting period for implant coverage and roughly a $50 individual deductible, but the plan premium for a woman under 50 in California was only around $35 per month.

Best for No Waiting Periods: United Healthcare Premier Plus

 UnitedHealthOne Dental Insurance

Key Specs

• Coverage: 1 plan covers implants
• Maximum: $2,000 per year
• Availability: 44 states and the District of Columbia

Why We Chose It

We thought United Healthcare Premier Plus was the best for no waiting periods because, unlike most dental insurance plans for implants, this plan covers dental implants on day one of coverage for 10%. The benefit grows each subsequent year to 40% for year one and 50% for year two. 

Pros

• No waiting period for implant coverage

• No age restrictions

• No claims to file when you get care in-network

• Access to a wide dental network

Cons

• Not offered in every state

• Takes two years to get to 50% coverage for implants

United Healthcare is a well-known and reputable insurance company. With a stellar rating from AM Best, United Healthcare insures around 30 million people nationwide and has over 182,000 network providers. The parent company Golden Rule Insurance offers employer and individual plans. United Healthcare dental insurance is not available in every state, but subscribers can sign up in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The coverage may vary along with premium rates depending upon where you live.  

United Healthcare's Premier Plus plan covers 10% of dental implants on day one of coverage with no waiting periods, unlike most plans. After a year, dental implant coverage rises to 40%, and by year two, it covers 50% of dental implants. The annual maximum is higher than many plans at $2,000, and the deductible is in line with other companies at roughly $50 for individuals and around $150 for families. Implant coverage is for one implant per tooth every 60 months.

There are also no age restrictions and no dental claims forms to file when you go in-network. Rates vary based on a few factors, but for reference, the monthly premium for a woman in California under 50 is about $60 per month.

Best for Seniors: Physicians Mutual Preferred Plus

Key Specs

• Coverage: 3 policies that cover dental implants
• Maximums: No annual maximums
• Availability: All 50 states

Why We Chose It

Physicians Mutual Preferred Plus is seniors’ best dental insurance for implants because it covers 350 procedures, including dental implants, with no annual maximums and no deductibles. 

Pros

• No annual maximums

• No deductibles

• 500,000 in-network providers

• Covers over 350 procedures, including implants

Cons

• 12-month waiting period for major coverage

• No senior discount

Headquartered in Omaha, NE, Physicians Mutual has been around since 1902. It offers dental insurance to individuals and families, as well as life and health insurance. They also received rave reviews in financial strength from AM Best. It is available in all 50 states and has 500,000 providers in its network. 

Physicians Mutual Preferred Plus is an excellent seniors’ dental insurance plan for implants because it covers dental implants and 350 other dental procedures at a generous amount. Also, the program has no annual maximums or deductibles associated with the benefits. However, there are two other plans, the Standard Plus and the Economy Plus plans, that also cover implants. The difference between the implant benefit for each tier of coverage is around $70.

The extensive nationwide network makes it easy for senior subscribers to maximize their benefits with a dentist nearby.  The premium rates are affordable for seniors, ranging in California from about $30 for the lowest tier at Economy Plus up to roughly $47 for the Preferred Plus.

Best for Veterans: MetLife VADIP High Program

Key Specs

• Coverage: 2 programs 
• Maximums: $3,000 to $3,500 in-network for the VADIP High Option
• Availability: All 50 states

Why We Chose It

MetLife’s VADIP (Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Programs) dental plans are excellent for veterans eligible for VA benefits. They have high annual maximums and excellent dental implant benefits, particularly with the High Program benefits available.

Pros

• 2 plans to choose from

• High Plan offers $3,000 in annual maximums per subscriber

• Has generous benefits for routine dental care and comprehensive services

• No waiting periods

Cons

• Has a 12-month lock in

• Effective dates could take up to six weeks to begin

• Implants are limited to no more than once in 10 years

MetLife provides benefits to 20 million people and has 490,000 participating dentist locations nationwide. The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York underwrites it.

With some of the highest benefit amounts available, the MetLife VADIP plans are veterans' best dental insurance plans for implants. There are no waiting periods for implant coverage, although effective dates could take up to six weeks. However, after 12 months, subscribers enjoy another $500 in annual maximum benefit at the High Plan option. Also, the MetLife VADIP program covers many different types of implants, including implant-supported fixed dentures, repairs to implants, and implant-supported cast restorations.

The Standard option also covers implants but has a lower annual maximum of $1,300 the first year and $1,500 the second year. The deductible is about $50, both in and out-of-network. Rates vary by region, and the Standard Plan ranges from roughly $28 to $33 for the veteran and around $58 to $72  for the High Plan. The family range is approximately $74 to $91 for the Standard Plan and $157 to $193 for the High Plan.

The VADIP program is available to any veteran eligible for VA benefits and covers dental services provided in the U.S., the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.

Best for Group Benefits: Cigna DHMO

Key Specs

• Coverage: 5 group plans
• Maximums: None
• Availability: 49 States and the District of Columbia

Why We Chose It

The Cigna Group Dental HMO is the best for group benefits because the plan has no maximums or deductibles. Also, it covers implants and implant-supported dentures, including placement, repair, and removal or restoration.

Pros

• No annual maximums or deductible

• Reasonable rates for a plan that covers implants

• Covers many types of implants

Cons

• Must choose a primary care dentist

• Referrals required for specialty care

Established in 1972, Cigna has grown from local Philadelphia-based insurance provide to a global health organization, with over 180 million customers and relationships in over 30 countries. Cigna has 93,000 in-network providers at 297,000 locations nationwide. Cigna offers plans through an employer or direct, but the coverage varies based on where you live and the plan you choose. 

We chose Cigna's Group Dental DHMO as the best for groups because the plan is affordable, comprehensive, and covers dental implants, unlike Cigna's direct plans. However, it is essential to mention that getting the particulars on group plans is not easy. Many times, the plans and the rates are custom-quoted and unavailable online to make comparisons. Moreover, your employer often directs how to write the programs and what they cost and cover. 

Despite these limitations, we felt the Cigna DHMO was an affordable option with excellent coverage based on the other group coverage we found online. It covers implant placement, repair, and removal or restoration, as well as implant-supported dentures. Subscribers also qualify for one replacement every ten years. However, the plan requires subscribers to choose a network general dentist to manage the care and require a specialty care referral. The rate for the DHMO is about $19 for an individual and roughly $37 for a family.

Final Verdict

Dental implants are not always covered by insurance, so finding the best insurance for implants requires some research. Once you find the plans with coverage, you'll see that some have less expensive monthly premiums, like Renaissance's Plan II. And, for a few dollars more, you get extra benefits, like United Healthcare's premium plus, which has double the annual maximum of Plan II. The best overall dental insurance for implants, Anthem's Essential Choice Platinum, isn't the least expensive. Still, it does have additional benefits that make the higher premium a better value than a low premium might have been.

Anthem's Essential Choice Platinum is excellent for many reasons. It has a reasonable wait time of six months for major services, relatively affordable rates, and exceptional benefits for dental implant coverage. Moreover, with a generous annual maximum that is twice as much as many other plans, an extensive network of providers, and the annual maximum carryover feature for any unused benefit, Anthem's Essential Choice Platinum is an excellent overall dental insurance plan for implants.

Compare the Best Dental Insurance for Implants

How to Choose the Best Dental Insurance for Implants

Keep in mind that dental insurance is not specific to dental implants. In other words, there is no such thing as a dental implant policy. Instead, dental implants are a type of treatment covered by your dental insurance, typically in the "major" services category.  

There are many options for dental insurance plans for implants to consider when deciding what dental insurance policy is ideal for your circumstances. To help you prioritize your search, consider these essential factors:

• Annual maximum: Dental insurance policies often limit how much they pay for a subscriber in a given year, usually $1,000 to $1,500.  
• Coinsurance amounts: Coinsurance is what you pay out-of-pocket after the insurance benefit (e.g., if the insurance pays 50%, you have 50% coinsurance to pay). Some companies increase their percentages the longer you subscribe, which would decrease your coinsurance amounts.  
• Deductibles: Subscribers must pay a set amount before their dental insurance benefits and coverage begin. Some policies have one that resets every year, while others have a lifetime deductible that doesn’t renew annually.
• Exclusions: These are what the policy doesn’t cover. An example in terms of implants is an exclusion for teeth that were already missing when you signed on for coverage.  
• In-network vs. out-of-network: Dental insurance plans have agreements with dentists and dental care professionals. In most policies, the subscriber pays less out-of-pocket when working with an in-network dentist than one out-of-network.  
• LEAT Clause: The Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (LEAT) clause is in some dental insurance policies. The insurance will sometimes not cover an implant if there is a less expensive treatment available. 
• Waiting periods: This term describes how long until the insured can access the benefits for some services. A 12-month waiting period is standard for major services, like dental implants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Dental Insurance for Implants Cover?

Dental insurance coverage for implants varies by policy. However, most insurance companies that sell individual policies have their benefit summaries available online, so you can see what to expect. To ensure that the dental insurance plan you buy is right for you, we recommend reviewing the policy’s benefits. 

After familiarizing yourself with what the policy covers, review what isn’t covered. These are often in the limitations and exclusions sections after the summary of benefits. Here is where you learn what conditions apply to the benefits of the insurance policy. 

In most of the policy benefit summaries we read, dental insurance for implants covers the placement of the implant and the restoration that replaces the missing tooth. The most common exclusion regarding implants is for teeth that were missing before coverage began. However, that isn’t always the case. For example, the VADIP plans cover teeth that were already missing. Also, many policies limit how often you can treat a specific tooth. Usually, it is once every 10 years, but some policies only limit it to five years. 

Both general dentists and oral maxillofacial specialists, who place dental implants, work with dental insurance companies every day in their practices. Moreover, when dental practices are part of the network (i.e., an in-network provider), the team usually knows the details of what is covered by your policy. We recommend asking your dental practice team for help determining how your coverage and coinsurance amounts work before scheduling treatment. 

Is Dental Insurance for Implants Expensive?

The type of policy you choose affects what you pay. Usually, the most affordable dental insurance plans often do not cover restorative work; the full coverage dental plans, which tend to have higher monthly premiums, are the ones that will cover procedures like implants. 

Another option is to invest in a dental savings plan. Unlike insurance, a dental savings plan has pre-negotiated a discount on your behalf. Participating providers will bill the rate that the savings plan members pay directly to the practice. These plans are often less expensive per month than dental insurance and can offer significant savings on dental implant treatment. 

Does Dental Insurance for Implants Cover Dentures?

The short answer to this question is sometimes. Most dental insurance policies spell out precisely what they cover in the summary of benefits and what they don't cover in the exclusions.

Many of the policies that cover implants also cover dentures and denture-related maintenance. In our research, we saw that the Cigna Group DHMO and the VADIP both cover implant-retained dentures, which are restorative appliances that are fixed in the mouth on two or more dental implants. However, we should also note that many of the policies that don’t cover dental implants still covered dentures. 

Is Dental Insurance for Implants Different From Full Dental Coverage?

The short answer here is no. Dental insurance plans vary based on their state and the type of treatments they cover. Full coverage plans mean they cover preventive care, like cleanings, fluoride treatments, and X-rays; basic care, like fillings and extractions; and major services, like bridges, crowns, dentures, and dental implants, among other treatments. 

The plan might cover bridges, crowns, and dentures but not dental implants and still qualify as full dental coverage. Here is another way to think of it: All dental insurance plans for implants will be full coverage, but all full dental coverage plans will not cover dental implants. 

Methodology

When choosing the best dental insurance plans for implants, we researched the offerings of several carriers online. We compared factors like the plans available that covered implants, the number of in-network providers, the annual maximums covered, and the deductible required. Also, we looked at the company’s reputation scores and published ratings by unbiased sources. In addition, we also provided links to the company’s sites for further exploration based on patients' specific circumstances. As always, we recommend searching after inputting the state where you live because dental coverage varies by state, and not all plans are available in all states.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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