Posted on September 15, 2021 by Kyle Walton
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While the overall prevalence of tooth loss in seniors has been decreasing for about 50 years, dental issues remain a serious concern for those over the age of 65. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, seniors have 18.90 remaining teeth on average, with 27.27 percent having no natural teeth remaining at all.
With this data in mind, it’s easy to see why proper dental care is incredibly important as we age. For some, this means that false teeth, or dentures, are an absolute necessity. But how much do dentures cost? Is dental care covered by Medicare?
Find your answers to these questions and more right here at MedicareInsurance.com.
Dentures, also known as false teeth, are prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth, allowing their wearer to chew food, speak normally, and retain facial structure even without natural teeth. Approximately 41 million Americans wore dentures as of 2020.
Dentures are made from composite material that resists bacteria and breakage. Typically, their framework is made from resin, acrylic, or metal, while the actual false teeth are made of porcelain or ceramic, giving an appearance that resembles natural tooth enamel.
The process of getting fitted for dentures usually begins with a prosthodontist (a dentist who specializes in oral prosthetics), who will determine the best type of dentures for a given patient’s mouth, take an x-ray, and create initial impressions based on the results. Those results are then sent to a denture manufacturer and created with incredible accuracy.
Like most medical or dental services and equipment, getting fitted with dentures can be extremely expensive for those who do not have insurance that covers the fitting process and the cost of the dentures themselves. On average, dentures can cost anywhere from $500 for partial pieces to $8000 for a full set depending on the level of denture needed.
Most dental insurers consider dentures to be a major procedure and will typically cover about 50 percent of the cost. The remaining balance must be paid by the patient out-of-pocket. Patients with dental insurance can expect to pay around $250 for partial pieces and up to $4,000 out-of-pocket for a full set.
When looking at the potential out-of-pocket costs for a set of false teeth, you may be wondering whether Medicare can assist you in paying for dentures. The answer to that question depends on the level of Medicare coverage that you currently have.
Currently, Original Medicare will cover some dental services, but only if the beneficiary suffers a traumatic injury that affects their teeth, mouth, or jaw, and the trauma is serious enough to require surgery or hospitalization.
Luckily, there are many Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans that do provide coverage for dental care, including dentures. Keep in mind, however, that Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and therefore their prices and exact benefits can vary.
Medicare Advantage plans can also provide additional coverage for other necessary healthcare that is not currently covered under Original Medicare, including eyeglasses, hearing aids, and transportation to and from appointments.
If you’re interested in learning more about the available Medicare Advantage plans in your area, don’t hesitate to contact the insurance experts at MedicareInsurance.com by phone, or via our online chat feature today!
Kyle Walton
Kyle is a professional writer with several years of experience helping to inform the public on many diverse topics and industries, including healthcare. He is a Kutztown University graduate, Class of 2017.