Does Careington Dental Cover Implants? Understanding Your Benefits & Savings

If you’ve ever asked, “Does Careington dental cover implants?” you’re not alone. Dental implants can really change lives by bringing back smiles and confidence—but their price can be shocking. In this article, I’ll explain what Careington can do for you if you’re thinking about getting dental implants. I’ll go over what to expect, how discount plans work, ways to save even more, and what to do next. Reading this could help you make a choice that saves you lots of money and helps you smile for life.

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What Is Careington, and How Is It Different Than Insurance?

Let’s start with the basics. Careington International Corporation is a big company in dental discount plans. But here’s something a lot of people get wrong: Careington isn’t insurance.

With regular dental insurance, you pay each month, and the insurance company may cover some of your costs after you pay a certain amount—up to a yearly limit. If your costs go over that limit, you pay the rest.

Careington is different. You pay a yearly or monthly fee. Careington’s 500 Series or Platinum Dental Plan, for example, connects you with a large group of dentists who have agreed to charge lower prices for members. When you need care, you just pay the reduced price to the dentist. There are no claims, no waiting for money back, and—here’s something important—no yearly limit on how much you can save.

Why does this matter? When you see a bill for a dental implant (which can easily be $3,000 or more for just one tooth), any saving helps a lot.

What Are Dental Implants, and Why Should You Care?

Dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth. Instead of sitting on your gums like dentures or being hooked to other teeth like a bridge, a dental implant is put right into your jawbone. It acts like a real tooth root.

Here’s the usual process:

• Consultation—your dentist checks your mouth, takes x-rays, and plans the treatment.
• Tooth removal (if needed)—the problem tooth is taken out.
• Bone graft or sinus lift (sometimes)—if your jawbone isn’t thick enough, more bone may be added.
• Implant placement—a metal post goes into your jaw.
• Healing (osseointegration)—the bone grows around the post, holding it tight.
• Abutment attachment—a small connector goes on the implant.
• Crown, bridge, or denture placement—the new tooth or teeth are put on.

Implants look and feel like real teeth and can last for many years—maybe even forever. But all these steps make them expensive.

Does Careington Dental Really “Cover” Implants?

If you hope an insurance company will pay your dentist directly and you won’t have much of a bill—that’s not how Careington works. Careington plans don’t pay for procedures; instead, they give you discounts at certain dentists.

Problem: You need a new tooth, but the cost is way too high.

Agitate: Many dental insurance companies don’t pay for implants at all, saying they are “just for looks.” Even if they pay for some, their yearly limits mean you still pay a lot.

Solution: With Careington, you won’t get a payment, but you do get a set discount off the normal fee. For dental implants, this can really help. The dentist gives you the discount right away.

It’s like always having a coupon for dental care. But, you only get the savings if you use a dentist in the Careington network and your specific plan.

How Do Careington Discount Dental Plans Work for Implants?

Picture this: Instead of dealing with paperwork or waiting weeks for a check, you show your Careington card and pay the dentist the lower price right away.

Here’s why discount dental plans (like the 500 Series or Platinum Dental Plan) are good for big things like implants:

• No Deductibles: You don’t have to pay a certain amount before you start saving—your discount works right away.
• No Yearly Limits: You don’t “run out” of savings, even if you need more than one implant or a lot of dental work.
• No Waiting Time: Most Careington plans let you start saving money right away—even for big treatments.
• Fixed Discounts: Every dentist in the network agrees to charge set, lower prices for some procedures, including parts of getting an implant.

Table: Careington Dental Plan Features vs. Traditional Insurance

So, if you worry about hitting a limit or being told you have to wait before getting treatment, Careington might make things a lot simpler.

Which Parts of the Dental Implant Process Get Discounts?

When you think about “dental implant,” you probably picture the new tooth. But, getting an implant often means several steps and more than one dental pro. Here’s where your Careington plan can save you money:

1. The First Visit: From the first exam to x-rays and pictures, your Careington plan usually gives you a discount.

2. Prep Work: Things like tooth pulling, bone grafting, or a sinus lift. These steps can be pricey, but discounts help.

3. Implant Placement: This is where the specialist puts the metal post in your jaw. It’s often the most expensive step, but discounts apply.

4. Abutment and Crown: After healing, your dentist puts on the connector and the new tooth, bridge, or denture.

5. Check-ups and Fixes: Sometimes, extra visits (like making sure the new tooth fits right) are also discounted.

Not every step has the same discount. For example, the savings on the implant post might be 20%, while crowns might be 30%. Always ask for a breakdown before you agree.

Looking for a dental ceramics lab or info about the crowns and bridges process? Make sure your dentist uses a good lab that works with your Careington plan.

How Much Can You Save on Implants with Careington?

This is where things really matter. The cost of a single dental implant in the US can be $3,000 to $5,000 for one tooth—maybe more. The good news is, Careington discounts can lower that number a lot.

Example:

• Usual Cost per Implant: $4,000
• Careington Discount (About 30%): -$1,200
• You Pay: $2,800

Now, what if you need a crown and bone graft too? Here’s a rough chart:

Savings: $1,250! And if you need more than one implant, the savings grow.

Remember—discounts can change depending on your dentist, your plan, and where you live. Always double-check with your dentist. Want to know more about dental implant savings? This guide covers the details.

How Do You Find the Right Careington Dentist for Implants?

Finding a good dentist is like picking the right tool—you want someone who knows the job and works with your plan.

Here’s how to make sure you get your savings:

1. Use the Careington Provider Search Tool: Go to the Careington website and enter your zip. You can look for general dentists, specialists, or oral surgeons who do implants.

2. Ask Good Questions:

• Do you take my Careington plan for implants?
• Can you show me a list of costs with my discount?
• Does every step of the treatment get a discount?

3. Get a Written Plan: Always ask for a written treatment plan showing every step, normal price, and what you pay after the Careington discount.

4. Check Lab Quality: Some dentists work with special labs for implant parts. Quality matters! Make sure parts come from a trusted place.

Are There Other Ways to Save on Dental Implants?

Yes! Implants are still expensive, even with Careington. Here’s how you can mix Careington with other ways to save:

A. Regular Dental Insurance: Some plans pay for small parts of the implant process, like pulling a tooth or the crown—even if they don’t help with the implant post. Ask what’s covered.

B. Financing Plans: Many dentists let you use things like CareCredit to pay in monthly pieces.

C. Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA): You can use pre-tax money to pay for most dental work, including implants.

D. Dental Schools and Local Clinics: Dental schools sometimes do treatment for less money. Experienced teachers watch over your care.

Want to know more about removable denture lab work as another choice? Some people go this way if full implants cost too much.

Is Careington the Best Solution for Your Dental Implant Needs?

Is Careington good for you? Let’s wrap it up:

Good Things

• Big Savings: Discounts from 15% to 60% can make implants possible.
• No Waiting: Use savings as soon as you join.
• No Limits: Save on as much work as you need.
• Easy Process: Pay the lower price at the dentist—not to insurance companies.

Not-So-Great Things

• Not Insurance: You still pay most of the bill.
• Network Needed: Must use a dentist who works with the plan.
• Discount Can Change: How much you save depends on your area and which Careington plan you have.
• Membership Fee: You pay a yearly or monthly fee for the plan.

Who wins with Careington?

• People with no dental insurance
• Anyone who needs big dental work fast and doesn’t want hassles
• Those who can pick a dentist in the network

Careington isn’t for everyone, but if you need a way to take care of dental problems that can get worse (and more pricey) if you wait, it’s worth checking out.

Key Points to Remember

• Careington is a dental discount plan, not insurance—it gives instant savings, not payments.
• You can save a lot on implants and related steps, depending on your dentist and plan.
• Every step of getting a dental implant can have a discount—from pulling teeth to crowns.
• Always be sure your dentist is in the network and get a written treatment plan first.
• You can add Careington with financing, HSAs, or other discounts for extra savings.
• Start by searching Careington providers and ask questions about what’s included.
• For lab work on your new tooth, make sure your dentist works with a good dental lab.
• If dental implants aren’t right for you, removable dentures or partials are options, sometimes for even less.
• Do your homework, gather information, and compare deals—your smile and your wallet will thank you.

If you’re worried about how much dental implants cost, don’t put it off. Check your Careington plan, ask plenty of questions, and plan each part with your dentist. Your new smile is closer—and maybe more possible—than you think!