What Are Some Affordable Dental Treatments for Seniors?
Seniors deserve to feel confident about their smile as they grow older. Whether you’re in need of new teeth or would prefer to have a straighter smile, there are treatments, such as dental implants and teeth aligners, that can help make that happen. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for seniors to find affordable treatments. A search online can connect you to dental insurance, payment plans, and other options to help pay for your desired treatment.
It’s never too late to improve your smile and overall dental health. Learn more about how dental implants and teeth aligners can help meet your goals by searching online.
Read on to learn more about dental treatments for seniors.
Dental Implants for Seniors
For seniors with missing teeth, dental implants might be something they’re interested in. It’s an artificial root made of titanium metal that’s inserted directly into the jawbone. From there, a tooth replacement is attached to the implant.
The Canadian Dental Association says you can get a single tooth implant or a bridge to replace multiple missing teeth. Once the procedure is done, you’ll treat the implant like a normal tooth with proper brushing and flossing. Your dentist may be able to work on you or they could refer you to a specialist.
Dental implant surgery is a costly procedure, especially since it’s not covered by traditional health insurance. For just a single implant, Highgate Dental says the price can range from $1,500 to $6,000. Multiple teeth implants can cost from $1,500 to a whopping $50,000.
There are a couple ways you could receive service at a lower cost and avoid one-time payments.
CareCredit
Rather than paying in full for dental implants, pay it off with monthly payments through CareCredit. This company works with over 225,000 health-focused providers and retail locations to provide people with affordable care.
Those with a CareCredit healthcare card can finance dental implant surgery with no interest in six-, 12-, 18-, or 24-month terms. If you need more time, there are longer term options that go up to 60-month periods.
You can find out what APR offers are available for you by searching online.
Dental Schools
Find out if there are any dentistry schools near you before heading to a regular dental office. There are dentistry students that are available to do dental work for you. NewMouth says you can save money on both preventive and restorative treatments if you choose to visit an on-campus clinic.
One of the procedures you can get done at a dental school is dental implant surgery. In fact, university programs offer 50 percent off what it would cost at an off-campus dental office. The on-campus clinics give students an opportunity to hone their skills and provide clients with excellent dental care.
Teeth Aligners for Seniors
If you’re a senior who never got braces when you were young or whose teeth are moving out of place, then teeth aligners are something to consider. Teeth aligners are essentially a clear mouthpiece that slips directly over the teeth and slowly moves them into place. Unlike braces, there are no bulky wires or brackets required.
Whether your teeth are crowded together or spaced apart, these devices are custom-built to meet your specific needs. A popular reason why adults gravitate towards teeth aligners is how discreet they are compared to braces. WebMD says it’s hard to see that you’re wearing them and treatments can take as little as 10 months.
Teeth aligners are an investment. NewMouth reports they can cost between $1,200 and $8,000. This price ranges based on the type you choose and the length of treatment. For Invisalign specifically, the Consumer Guide for Dentistry says the national average is $3,000 to $5,000.
If you need help paying for teeth aligners, there are some insurance plans that could help you save money on teeth aligners.
Careington
For seniors needing a dental savings plan, Careington is well worth considering.
The Careington 500 Dental Savings Plan connects you with dentists and specialists across the U.S. You can save as much as 20 percent off orthodontics with plans starting at $8.95 per month or $89 annually.
DentalPlans.com
You could save a significant amount of money by signing up for a plan with DentalPlans.com. This online marketplace has access to a network of over 140,000 dentists across the country. Seniors may save as much as 60 percent off braces.
The dental savings plan costs between $80 to $200 annually and there is no spending cap.
Aetna
Become one of Aetna’s 13 million customers by signing up for a dental plan. The insurance company is well rated with over 50 years of experience. In particular, the Aetna Vital Savings Dental Discount Card could save you between 15 and 50 percent off retail, as well as orthodontics.
The Balance says there are no waiting periods, there are no annual or lifetime limits.
Humana
With a network of over 260,000 dentists throughout 48 U.S. states, Humana is one of the most established insurance providers in the country. You can sign up for teeth aligners that cater to your needs and financial situation.
There are three particular plans that could save you money on dental implants:
- Loyalty Plus: Potential discount from participating orthodontists.
- Dental Preventive Plus: May offer discounts from participating providers.
- Dental Savings Plus: Get up to 20 percent off procedures from the HumanaDental PPO Network.
Learn More About Implants and Aligners Online
Seniors have options when it comes to their dental care. If you’re interested in getting teeth implants or straightening your smile with aligners, there are tons of professionals ready to help you out. You can potentially save money through insurance companies, payment plans, or visiting an on-campus clinic.
Start an online search to learn more about what’s involved with these procedures. You can learn about recovery times, aftercare, and other important factors to see if it’s something you’re interested in. Make sure to research your payment options to see if there are ways to score a discount.