by sld | Jun 15, 2024 | Dental Implants
Dental implants represent a significant advancement in dental care, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for missing teeth. However, for many patients considering this treatment, the cost can be a major concern, particularly for those who rely on Medicaid. In Illinois, Medicaid coverage for dental services can be complex, and understanding whether it includes dental implants requires a nuanced examination of state policies and available options.
Medicaid Coverage Varies By State
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that offers healthcare coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. The scope of dental coverage under Medicaid varies significantly from one state to another and is often limited to essential services. Typically, Medicaid dental coverage focuses on cost-effective treatments deemed medically necessary, with an emphasis on preventative and basic dental care to mitigate more severe health issues.
In Illinois, Medicaid dental benefits are administered through managed care organizations (MCOs) that contract with the state. These MCOs provide a range of dental services under the HealthChoice Illinois plan. As of the latest updates, the inclusion of dental implants under Medicaid is generally rare, as they are often considered elective rather than essential. Medicaid’s primary goal in dental care is to prevent disease and address acute dental issues that could lead to more significant health problems if untreated.
However, it’s important to note that there are exceptions where dental implants might be covered if deemed medically necessary. For instance, if a patient has undergone significant facial trauma or has a condition that has led to severe jawbone deterioration, implants might be essential to restore basic oral functions and prevent further health complications.
In such cases, obtaining coverage for dental implants under Medicaid requires thorough documentation from a dental professional to demonstrate medical necessity. The process involves detailed medical records, a clear treatment plan, and often, a prior authorization request submitted to the Medicaid program. This information can provide reassurance and a sense of clarity for those considering dental implants.
Medicaid For Dental Implants In Illinois
For Illinois residents considering dental implants and relying on Medicaid, it is of utmost importance to seek guidance from a qualified dental professional. They can provide a comprehensive assessment and expertly navigate the intricacies of Medicaid coverage. At Smile League Dental, patients can receive a thorough evaluation to determine the best course of treatment and understand the financial options available, including exploring the scope of Medicaid coverage.
Patients should also be aware of the potential for financial assistance. Some nonprofit organizations and dental schools offer reduced rates for implants as part of training programs for dental students. Additionally, third-party financing options might be available to help manage the costs of such treatments. This can provide a sense of hope and relief for those concerned about the financial aspect of dental implants.
Your Road To A Confident Smile Begins With Smile League Dental
For individuals seeking dental implants, the journey to a restored smile can be filled with various financial and medical considerations, particularly when relying on Medicaid. It is advisable to engage with dental professionals who can provide clear, personalized guidance tailored to your specific health needs and financial circumstances. At Smile League Dental, we are committed to helping our patients navigate these challenges and work towards achieving the best possible outcomes for their dental health.
Choosing Smile League Dental means choosing superior care and a commitment to your enduring oral well-being. Your journey to a confident, beautiful smile starts with a call to Smile League Dental in Joliet, Illinois. Contact Smile League Dental to discuss our dental implant service in Joliet at 815-782-6243 and take the next step toward your dream smile. We also serve the communities of Bolingbrook, Crest Hill, Lockport, New Lenox, Shorewood, Elwood, Romeoville, Homer Glen, Plainfield, and, Channahon.
by elision | Jul 17, 2023 | Dental Implants
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, modern dentistry offers a range of options that can restore your smile and improve your quality of life. Two popular choices for tooth replacement are partials (also called partial dentures) and dental implants. But how do you decide which one is right for you? Let’s explore the key factors to consider when making this important decision.
Oral Health
The first step in determining the most suitable tooth replacement option is to evaluate your oral health. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your mouth, gums, and teeth to assess the overall condition of your mouth. This evaluation will help determine if you have sufficient bone density and healthy enough gums to support dental implants, which need a certain amount of jawbone tissue to integrate with.
Longevity and Durability
Both partial dentures and dental implants are designed to be durable and long-lasting. However, dental implants are known for their exceptional longevity. With proper care and maintenance, implants can last a lifetime, while partial dentures may require adjustments or replacements over time. If you prefer a more permanent solution, dental implants could be the ideal choice.
Aesthetic Considerations
Your smile is a central part of your appearance and self-confidence. When deciding between partials and dental implants, you might consider the aesthetic appeal of each option. Dental implants provide a natural-looking and seamless result, blending nicely with your existing teeth. Partial dentures, on the other hand, may feature pins or clasps that are visible when you smile or speak. There is nothing wrong with that, but some people might find this aspect of partials to be less appealing.
Functionality and Comfort
The ability to eat and speak comfortably is crucial for a high quality of life. Dental implants offer excellent functionality, mimicking the natural structure and function of your teeth. With implants, once your mouth has healed from the implant procedure, you can enjoy your favorite foods with little dental restriction.
Partial dentures may require an adjustment period before the wearer can comfortably enjoy eating with them, and some individuals may experience slight discomfort or difficulty when chewing certain foods. However, modern advancements have greatly improved the fit and comfort of partials.
Cost
Cost is another factor in the choice between partials and implants. Partial dentures are generally more affordable than dental implants. However, it’s important to weigh the long-term benefits and potential maintenance costs of each option. Dental implants, while initially more expensive, can provide lifelong value and may require fewer replacements or adjustments in the future.
Smile League Dental
Deciding between partial dentures and dental implants is a personal choice that should be made in consultation with your dentist. At Smile League Dental in Joliet, we can assist you in making an informed decision that aligns with your unique needs and preferences. Remember, both partials and dental implants have their advantages, and we are happy to guide you toward the best solution for achieving a healthy, beautiful smile that you can confidently show off to the world. If you have questions about dental implants call Smile League Dental at 815-782-6243.
by elision | Sep 19, 2022 | Dental Implants
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Are you looking for dental implants in Joliet? If you are anywhere in the area here in southwestern Chicagoland, stop by Smile League Dental. The best, quickest, and most reliable way to know that you’re a good candidate for implants is to get a professional recommendation.
We’re going to give you some more information than that, but, please, consider booking an appointment. We are one of Joliet’s best-rated dentists and we’re accepting new patients — why guess about implants when you could know for sure?
With that out of the way, let’s look at who can get implants. We’re also going to talk about why people get implants during the course of this article.
Are You a Candidate For Implants?
If your jawbone is done growing, and if you do not have serious bone loss, you are probably a good candidate for dental implants. Let’s look at each of those points.
Dental implants are really only for adults. In theory, 18 years old is the earliest that anyone would want to get implants. In practice, it might be safer to wait a few years more to make sure that your jaw is fully matured. In the meantime, there could still be other options for you if you have missing teeth. Don’t hesitate to get a professional opinion just because you’re too young.
The next qualification is that you have to have adequate bone left in your jaw to support the implant. If you have some bone loss, you also might be able to get a bone graft to provide stability for the implant. Implant technology has come quite a long way, even in the past decade or so. Check in with us at our Joliet office to see if your level of bone loss still keeps you from getting implants.
Should You Get Implants?
Just because you could get implants doesn’t mean you necessarily should. While dental prosthetics are the gold standard for replacing teeth, they aren’t the best choice for everybody. Here are some indicators that you should consider getting dental implants:
- You can accept undergoing simple surgery in our Joliet dental office to install the implant
- You want the most permanent tooth replacement option available
- You want to match the look and feel of natural teeth
- If you have significant bone loss, you feel healthy enough to undergo a grafting procedure, recovery period, and implant
- You’re willing to invest a significant amount more than dentures require, potentially financing your procedure or using insurance
- You have teeth to replace!
Implants aren’t scary or abnormal. Ask around — you’ll probably find that quite a few of your neighbors, friends, and coworkers have dental implants. If you’re asking around the Joliet area, some of those acquaintances might have even had their implants installed right here at Smile League Dental. Contact us at 815-782-6243 to get started with a professional consultation.
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by elision | Jan 14, 2020 | Dental Implants
Your smile can light up a room. It is one of the first things a person sees when you meet them. Since it influences first impressions, don’t you want to ensure the best care for your teeth? If you have missing teeth and want to improve your smile, the best option for replacement (in most cases) are dental implants.
What Is A Dental Implant?
Unlike dentures, which are removable, or bridges, which are fixed to other adjacent teeth, a dental implant is a metal post inserted into the bone in the jaw. With time, it fuses with the bone in the jaw and can then be restored with a crown – if replacing a single tooth, or with a full denture or prosthesis – if replacing all the teeth in the jaw.
Types of Dental Implants
You can choose between two types of implants, depending on the status of your teeth.
Endosteal Implants
These are the most common types of dental implants. Made of titanium and shaped like tiny screws, these are placed directly in the jawbone.
Subperiosteal Implants
These implants are placed under the gum line, but above or directly onto the jawbone. This procedure is recommended for individuals who have weak teeth or a delicate jawbone. It is also preferred by people who don’t want to undergo bone augmentation to correct the issue.
Types of Restoration materials in Dental Implant
Dental implants are made of titanium, which has been used for years because it resists corrosion.
For a dental implant to be functional it needs an abutment and then a crown (if a single tooth or teeth are restored) or a prosthesis, like a denture (if all the teeth in the arch are restored)
The abutment, which connects the implant in the jawbone to the prosthesis (which is either a crown or denture), may also be made of titanium. Some dentists may use abutments made from ceramic depending on factors like site and esthetics.
The crown or the artificial tooth comes in different materials as well. For example, if you want to replace your front teeth, the crown inserted may be made of porcelain or metal. Porcelain (ceramic) crowns may be used in anteriors or front teeth or posteriors or back teeth. These have the same sheen as natural teeth and can be easily tinted to match the rest of your teeth. Metallic crowns may be recommended for back molars because those aren’t as visible. These also have higher tensile strength and are more resistant to fracture. Hence, durability during function, like chewing of food is ensured. They are a very good choice for people who brux/grind or people who have a high mastication or chewing force index.
Who Should Get Dental Implants?
Anyone can get dental implants if they are able to undergo the procedure without difficulty. In other words, if you have a healthy jaw and gums and have good oral hygiene, the procedure is perfect for you. However, if you smoke heavily, have heart disease or poor oral hygiene, or underwent radiation therapy near the mouth (such as in your neck and head), you may not qualify. Your dentist will ask you to go through some tests to see if you can get receive implants without any issues.
At Smile League Dental, we are committed to serving individuals and families with the best dental procedures in Illinois. This includes children, adults and elderly clients. Our clinic is located just two minutes from the Louis Joliet Mall – between Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill and Aurora axis. We provide excellent diagnostic assessments and cosmetic and preventive dental services in these areas as well as the wider Chicago area. Book an appointment today by calling 815-782-6243 and take charge of your oral health.
The abutment, which connect the implant in the jawbone to the prosthesis, which is either a crown or denture, is made of the same material.
Some dentists may use ceramic abutments (an abutment is the connecting piece between the implant and as well.
The crown or the artificial tooth comes in several materials. For example, if you want to replace your front teeth, the implants put in will be made of porcelain or ceramic because these have the same sheen as natural teeth and can be easily tinted to match the rest of your teeth.
In some cases, metallic crowns can be recommended for back molars because those aren’t as visible. Another reason these are made of metal is the material is durable enough to chew food with them. It is also a good choice for people who may damage their implants with time.
Who Should Get Dental Implants?
Anyone can get dental implants if they are able to undergo the procedure without difficulty. In other words, if you have a healthy jaw and gums and have good oral hygiene, the procedure is perfect for you. However, if you smoke heavily, have heart disease or poor oral hygiene, or underwent radiation therapy near the mouth (such as in your neck and head), you may not qualify. Your dentist will ask you to go through some tests to see if you can get receive implants without any issues.
At Smile League Dental, we are committed to serving individuals and families with the best dental procedures in Illinois. This includes children, adults and elderly clients. Our clinic is located just two minutes from the Louis Joliet Mall – between Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill and Aurora axis. We provide excellent diagnostic assessments and cosmetic and preventive dental services in these areas as well as the wider Chicago area. Book an appointment today by calling 815-782-6243 and take charge of your oral health.
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