Losing teeth after serious medical treatments can feel overwhelming. Many patients explore dental implants after chemotherapy when cancer treatments and trauma damage their teeth. While medical insurance rarely covers dental procedures, there are still treatment options that can help restore your smile and improve your quality of life.
Elaine
Dear Elaine,
Dentures are much more secure when used in tandem with dental implants
I’m sorry for what you are going through. You are a strong woman to endure all of this. It seems like you are doing it with grace as well. Unfortunately, medical insurance will not cover this at all. They tend to leave dental care to the dentists.
That’s one of the reasons we try to discourage people from going to an emergency room for a dental emergency. They won’t do anything for you and you’ll end up with a huge bill for not much more than some ibuprofen. Instead, we suggest you see a dentist who will treat non-established patients in dental emergencies.
Options in Tooth Replacement Options with Insurance
Each dental insurance plan is different. Unfortunately, they usually only will cover the least acceptable option. Fortunately, dental implants are generally paid for in two stages. Once for the surgical procedure and once for the implant crowns. This may help with your ability to cover your dental implants.
I wouldn’t try to do a one-to-one ratio replacing your teeth with dental implants. That would end up costing you way too much money. Instead, my recommendation is for you to get fit for dentures which you can have anchored to dental implants. Doing it that way will only require about four to six dental implants per arch. This is known as implant overdentures.
Final Thoughts on Dental Implants After Chemotherapy
Choosing dental implants after chemotherapy can significantly improve comfort, stability, and quality of life for patients who have lost teeth due to trauma or cancer treatment. While insurance coverage may be limited, options like implant overdentures can make treatment more affordable while still providing long-term benefits.
A consultation with an experienced implant dentist can help you explore the best solution for your specific situation.
This blog is brought to you by Glendale Dentist Dr. Robert Thein.