Did you know that veterans can get dental implants through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at no cost to them? If you already qualify for VA dental care, you can get dental implants at no extra cost.
You may need to shoulder dental implants yourself if you’re not qualified for VA dental care. Exactly how much are these dental implants going to cost?
Let’s look at the different factors in determining the VA dental implant cost so that you can make an informed decision about your care.
Cost Factors For VA Dental Implants
Implant costs vary depending on the type of implant, additional procedures like bone grafting or sinus lifting, and the materials used.
Generally speaking, dental implants fall into three categories based on their size and complexity: single-tooth implants, multiple-tooth implants (also known as bridges), and full-mouth restorations.
Single Tooth Implants
Single tooth implants typically involve placing a single titanium post in the gum and attaching a crown or bridge. This is usually done as part of a larger restoration procedure, such as replacing a missing tooth or repairing damaged teeth.
The cost for this type of implant can range from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the procedure's complexity and materials used.
Multiple Tooth Implants
Multiple tooth implants involve placing two or more posts in the gum and using them to support a bridge to replace several missing teeth. This type of implant is often used when there is insufficient space between existing teeth for single-tooth implants or when more extensive repairs are needed due to significant damage or wear and tear.
This type of implant can range from $2,500 to $8,000, depending on how many posts are needed and what materials are used.
Full-Mouth Restorations
Full-mouth restorations involve replacing all or most of your teeth with permanent dentures supported by multiple dental posts. This type of implant is usually recommended if you have severe damage to your teeth due to disease or injury and cannot be treated with other restoration options. These are crowns.
This type of implant can range from $10,000-$25,000, depending on how many posts are needed and what materials are used.
How To Qualify For Free Dental Implants
Veterans can get free dental implants. You can also get dental grants from other non-profit organizations or government programs.
Check out their website to find out if you qualify for VA Dental Care. You can qualify if you meet any of the following conditions:
- 100% service-connected rating
- 10% or higher service-connected rating for a dental condition
- Former prisoner of war
- Combat-related service-connected dental condition rated at 0%
- With a dental condition aggravating a service-connection condition
- Requested dental care within 180 days of military discharge
- Enrolled in the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program but your condition interferes with employment or rehabilitation
- Enrolled in a VA-sponsored program for homeless veterans
- Receiving VA care for a medical condition, and a dental complication is preventing the medical care
With VA dental care, you can eliminate complications or ensure excellent oral health no matter what the condition is. If a dental implant is discovered necessary, it will be given for free.
However, any ongoing maintenance of the dental implant is not included. Dental implants for cosmetic purposes will also not be included.
Affording Quality Dental Care As A Veteran
For veterans who need dental work done but cannot afford it out-of-pocket, getting dental implants through the VA may be worth considering. However, you need to meet the qualification requirements of the VA so you can get free dental implants or other types of dental care.
If you don’t qualify, it's important to understand that several factors may affect a dental implant's final cost, including how complex your procedure is and what materials are used. So it’s always best to discuss all available options with your dentist before making any decisions about treatment plans.
You can also always check with the local VA office if there are other grants or options you can take advantage of. With proper research and planning, you can get quality dental care at an affordable price.
You can also check out our How To Find Low-Cost Dental Assistance Programs guide.
