Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth and improving oral health. They provide functionality and aesthetics and are crucial for your oral health, but they can be pricey.
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One of the best ways to solve this problem is to look for reliable insurance coverage. Therefore, you should know everything about costs, factors influencing pricing, the best insurance companies, and the coverage benefits they provide. Let’s check how much dental implants cost with Cigna insurance.
Cigna dental insurance plans |
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| Service |
Bundled plan (Cigna dental vision hearing 2000) |
Bundled plan (Cigna dental vision hearing 3500) |
| Average monthly premium | $50 | $62 |
| The annual deductible for individuals | $100 | $100 |
| Dental benefits | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Dental check-ups, including routine X-rays and cleanings | $0 | $0 |
| Dental implants | Cover restorative services (fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges) | Cover standard restorative services and implants |
| Discount for dependents included in your policy | / | 15% |
| Dentist | Any but additional benefits with those in the network | Any but additional benefits with those in the network |
Dental Implants Costs
Dental implants are a permanent and reliable solution for people who miss their teeth, but most patients are concerned about this procedure’s cost. It typically depends on several factors, such as:
1. Implant number
You should count on different prices depending on the number of missing teeth. For instance, one dental implant costs approximately $1,500 to $3,000, but you also need to add $1,000 to $2,000 for abutment and $1,000 to $2,000 for a crown.
If you need a multiple-tooth implant with a bridge to fill a gap between two neighboring teeth, you can count on $6,000 to $10,000. Replacing more than four teeth is pricey and goes from $30,000 to $50,000.
Finally, a full mouth implant is an option for patients who need to replace all teeth. The most comfortable method is to replace each tooth separately, but such an intervention costs $60,000 to $90,000.
Therefore, most people choose more affordable implant-supported dentures. You should set aside about $8,000 to $17,500 for this procedure when choosing a removable All-on-4® dental implant. A fixed option is more costly and can go from $15,000 to $50,000.
Most dentists try to save as many patient teeth as possible, but it is not always the best solution. Implants are sometimes the only option to preserve bone structure and overall oral health.
2. Preparatory procedures
Unfortunately, implants are sometimes only a part of total expenses because you may need additional preparatory procedures, such as X-rays, bone grafting, tooth extraction, or sinus lifts.
These procedures are crucial to ensure the implant’s solid foundation and prevent pain and complications. However, they always increase the bill.
3. Implant material
You can recognize four implant material types used in contemporary dentist practice, including titanium, porcelain, zirconia, and ceramics. The material choice directly influences the final costs, so most dentists use affordable titanium implants. They are a long-lasting option that requires minimal maintenance.
4. Location
Dental implant prices vary significantly based on the city and state where you live. Since big cities and urban regions have higher living costs, you can count on higher dental implant fees than in rural areas.
Cigna Group Dental Insurance
Cigna is a well-known insurance provider that offers coverage for various dental procedures. However, only Cigna Dental Vision Hearing 3500 includes coverage for dental implants besides standard restorative services. You should know that it is an employee plan only available for employers to buy and is unavailable for individuals.
Cigna Dental offers group dental insurance coverage in all states with different rates. It includes dental implants, and the company allows employers to buy this insurance plan for employees in two forms:
- Cigna Dental Care DHMO Plan – This option includes crowns, dental implants, and teeth whitening coverage.
- Cigna Plus Savings – This offer of a dental discount plan lets participants save money when using in-network dentists.
Finding exact benefits is challenging since only employers implement these group plans, and offers are unavailable to the public. The only way to know what to expect is to connect with an agent to determine insurance costs for each employee and insurance limitations.
Crucial limitations apply to implants so employees can count on one crown, prosthesis, or inlay replacement within five years. Insureds also have a right to one implant per year and one dental implant replacement every ten years.
Cigna Insurance Coverage for Dental Implants
Once your employer chooses Cigna dental insurance, you can consider various dental procedures this company covers, including implants. The first step is to find an in-network provider specializing in implants.
Then, you can count on certain benefits the Cigna implant policy covers. Be aware that only one plan includes dental implant coverage, and you have a right to such a benefit in only some parts of the country.
Besides, you need to get prior authorization for dental implants from the company. Unfortunately, requirements are strict and an agent will allow only medically necessary procedures listed on the Patient Charge Schedule plan.
| Procedure | Estimated cost | Cost with Cigna dental care |
| Adult cleaning (two annually; additional two are available at $55 each) | $65 to $125 | $0 |
| Kids cleaning (two annually; additional two are available at $45 each) | $50 to $95 | $0 |
| Periodic oral evaluation | $95 to $180 | $0 |
| Comprehensive oral evaluation | $37 to $70 | $0 |
| Topical fluoride | $57 to $110 | $0 |
| X-rays (two bitewings films | $25 to $50 | $0 |
| X-rays (panoramic film) | $30 to $60 | $0 |
| Sealant per tooth | $40 to $75 | $12 |
| Silver-colored amalgam filling (two surfaces) | $110 to $210 | $0 |
| Tooth-colored composite filling (one surface) | $110 to $210 | $0 |
| Molar root canal | $800 to $1,515 | $305 |
| Comprehensive orthodontics for kids (up to 19th birthday) banding | $990 to $1.875 | $485 |
| Periodontal scaling and root planing (one quadrant) | $165 to $315 | $50 |
| Periodontal maintenance | $100 to $195 | $40 |
| Erupted tooth extraction | $110 to $210 | $6 |
| Impacted tooth extraction | $350 to $650 | $110 |
| Porcelain crown fused to high noble metal | $800 to $1,510 | $270 |
| Porcelain implant crown fused to high noble metal crown | $1,025 to $1,940 | $760 |
As mentioned, this insurance company covers one surgical dental implant placement per year, with a surgical implant replacement frequency limited to one in ten years.
Cigna Dental plans also cover some percentage of porcelain implant crowns and fillings. However, you can expect restrictions on this benefit depending on the tooth location. You can also get one prosthesis over implant replacement in five years if it is impossible to repair it.
Cigna plans don’t cover replacing a missing tooth with fixed or removable bridgework, dental implants, and initial dentures extracted or lost before the effective date of coverage.
Things to Check Before Calling Cigna for Implants
Without full dental insurance, implants typically cost up to $6,700 per one, depending on numerous factors, such as:
- Your oral health
- Your gums and teeth condition
- A jawbone density
- The necessity of an upper or lower implant
- The implant type you need
- The necessity of additional surgery
- Your location
As explained, only Cigna Dental Vision Hearing 3500 covers dental implants. However, you should talk to your dentist first to determine what procedures are necessary and what the final expenses are.
For instance, the final price depends on the implant type you need. You can recognize the following:
- Traditional implants made of titanium
- Less invasive and affordable mini implants are unsuitable for all patients
- Zirconia implants made from ceramic offer a natural tooth look but are the most expensive option
Additional factors to check are dental fees and the dental office location since they significantly affect overall expenses. Prices are always higher in big cities and urban areas and can increase depending on the dentist’s reputation, experience, and specialization.
Finally, you should be aware of additional procedures you may need, which add to the overall cost, like:
- Bone grafting when your jawbone is insufficient and can’t support the implant
- Sinus lift when there is not enough space for an implant in your upper jaw
- Infected and damaged teeth extraction before placing the implant
Besides, such a complicated procedure always requires dental X-rays since your dentist needs to know what to expect. The final bill also includes follow-up appointments and possible treatments.
It is time to consult the Cigna dental office only after checking all the details. Ask your dentist to send a predetermination (pre-treatment estimate) or call insurance customer service for general information about the dental coverage plan you have.
Be aware that you will never get full coverage for this procedure, but only 50% to 80%, depending on several factors. On average, a Cigna dental insurance policy covers approximately $1,500 per implant annually, depending on your plan.
However, getting actual quotes can be challenging and complicated since this insurer shows only average premium prices. Once you want to get their service, it is necessary to fill out a form with the required information, such as date of birth, state, zip code, desired coverage type, and coverage start date.
It is also impossible to compare plan features and prices without reviewing each benefit summary separately.
Summary
Dental implants offer a long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth while restoring oral health. With an adequate Cigna insurance plan, you can offset some expenses, but most exclude this procedure. Therefore, always check your insurance policy and consult your dentist before starting the process.