Does EDP Dental Cover Implants? My Honest Guide to Benefits, Costs & Maximizing Savings
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Implants Question & My EDP Dental Plan Experience
- Understanding EDP Dental Plans: Not Your Traditional Insurance
- What Is EDP Dental? Discount Plan vs. Insurance
- How Traditional Dental Insurance Differs
- Does EDP Dental “Cover” Implants? The Reality Check
- What Coverage Actually Means with EDP Dental
- How Discount Plans Work in Practice
- Breaking Down Dental Implant Costs with EDP Dental
- What Makes Up Dental Implant Costs?
- EDP Dental Discounts: The Numbers
- Real-World Example: My Own Cost Comparison
- How I Maximized My EDP Dental Plan for Implants
- Check the Discount Schedule for Implants
- Go In-Network, Always
- Request a Pre-Treatment Estimate
- Compare Providers, Even Within EDP
- Ask About Payment Plans and Financing
- Other Ways I Managed Implant Costs
- Financing Options
- HSAs, FSAs, and Dental Schools
- Exploring Alternatives: Bridges & Dentures
- What I Did Before Committing to Dental Implants
- Consultation Steps
- Conclusion: Is EDP Dental Right for Implants? My Verdict
- FAQs: Answers to Your Top Questions
Introduction: The Implants Question & My EDP Dental Plan Experience
Not long ago, I was missing a tooth (well, a couple, to tell the truth), and my dentist said getting a dental implant was my best bet to look and eat like I used to. I was really interested—until I found out how much it costs. Implants are awesome, but they cost a lot.
I had an EDP Dental Plan, and like you, I had one big question: Does EDP Dental cover implants? My experience took me on a wild ride through small print, crazy codes, odd insurance words, and talks with a bunch of dentists. I’m going to tell you everything I figured out, in plain English, and help you see if your EDP Dental card will actually save you money—or if you should try something else.
Let’s break down how EDP Dental really works for implants, what “coverage” means with discount dental plans, and some easy tips to help you get the most bang for your buck.
Understanding EDP Dental Plans: Not Your Traditional Insurance
What Is EDP Dental? Discount Plan vs. Insurance
When I first signed up, I didn’t know there’s a big difference between a dental discount plan and dental insurance. EDP Dental is a discount plan.
Here’s my simple explanation:
- EDP Dental isn’t insurance. It’s like a membership club. You pay once a year or every month so you can get set discounts at certain dentists.
- No deductibles. No yearly limits. No waiting time. The discounts start as soon as you join.
- You still pay the dentist yourself, but you pay less than the usual price—sometimes a lot less.
Regular dental insurance is different. With insurance, the company pays some of your bill after you pay your deductible. There’s usually a “yearly maximum” (the most they’ll pay in a year), and you usually have to wait a long time before they help with big stuff, like implants.
How Traditional Dental Insurance Differs
When I compared both, here’s what stuck out:
- Insurance: Pays part of your bill after you hit your deductible, but almost all insurance plans don’t pay for implants at all (or only help a tiny bit, not covering much of the cost).
- EDP Dental: No limit on discounts, no waiting, but the discount comes off your bill instead of getting money from insurance.
For lots of people—especially if you need something big like implants—plans like EDP can actually mean you save more when you really need it.
Does EDP Dental “Cover” Implants? The Reality Check
What Coverage Actually Means with EDP Dental
Let’s get straight to the point. The question I typed into Google a ton of times: Does EDP Dental cover implants?
The answer is… kind of. EDP Dental does not pay part of your implant bill the way insurance might (if it even covered implants). Instead, what you get is a discounted price, usually about 20-50% less than the dentist’s regular price. That discount can save you thousands—but you still have to pay the rest, so it’s not “free” money from an insurance company.
When I got my first implant, I was pretty sad at first that “coverage” didn’t mean they’d pay the whole thing. But when I looked at the numbers, I saw that even with normal insurance, I’d pay most of it myself—if they even helped with implants. With EDP, I just got a discount I could use right away.
How Discount Plans Work in Practice
Here’s what happened for me:
- I told my dentist I had EDP Dental.
- The staff got out their EDP fee schedule.
- Every part of the job—x-rays, implant surgery, the piece that goes on top, the crown—had its own lower price.
- I paid the bill (with discounts already taken off) straight to the dentist.
Simple enough, but you have to know which parts are discounted (and by how much) before you start.
Breaking Down Dental Implant Costs with EDP Dental
What Makes Up Dental Implant Costs?
Dental implants are made up of a few different parts, and each one has its own price. Here’s what I got billed for (yours may be different, but this is common):
- Consultation & X-rays: First visit, x-rays, and maybe 3D scans.
- Implant Post: The metal (or ceramic) screw they put in your jaw.
- Abutment: The tiny piece that connects the screw and the fake tooth.
- Crown: The tooth part you see—usually porcelain or ceramic.
- Extra Procedures: Things like bone grafts or sinus lifts if your jaw needs help.
Almost every part above can have a discount with EDP Dental. I remember thinking, “Wait, I have to pay for a bone graft and the implant?!” Good news: the discounts usually work for all of it, not just the main part.
EDP Dental Discounts: The Numbers
When I asked my dentist’s office, here were the average discounts I got at the time:
| Procedure | Local Price Range | EDP Discount Range | My Out-of-Pocket with EDP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implant Post + Abutment | $3,000 – $6,000 | 20% – 50% | $1,500 – $4,800 |
| Implant Crown | $1,000 – $2,500 | 20% – 40% | $600 – $2,000 |
| Bone Graft | $200 – $3,000 | 15% – 40% | $120 – $2,400 |
| Sinus Lift | $1,500 – $3,000 | 15% – 35% | $975 – $2,550 |
| Consultation & X-rays | $50 – $300 | 10% – 30% | $35 – $270 |
| 3D Cone Beam CT Scan | $250 – $600 | 10% – 30% | $175 – $540 |
Some people get even bigger discounts, especially if there are lots of EDP dentists in the area. Sometimes it’s less, depending on your dentist and city.
Real-World Example: My Own Cost Comparison
Here’s what my first implant cost, before and after EDP Dental:
- Quoted (No Plan): $6,500 (everything, including x-rays, tooth pulling, graft, implant, and crown)
- With EDP Dental Discount: $4,300 (saved $2,200!)
That’s real savings. I even used part of it to finally buy a night guard (no more teeth grinding at night!).
How I Maximized My EDP Dental Plan for Implants
After my first implant, I picked up a bunch of ways to get the most out of EDP Dental.
Check the Discount Schedule for Implants
Sounds simple, but I almost missed this. When you join, you get a price/discount chart for your plan and state. Not every dentist gives the same discount, and the percent can be really different for each part. I made sure to read the list and circle everything that might be part of the implant work.
Pro tip: Learn the codes for implant parts (like D6010 for the post). Makes it easier when talking with the dental office.
Go In-Network, Always
EDP Dental discounts only work with certain dentists. I asked my old dentist if he’d do the discount. He said no. So, I switched to a dentist on the EDP list.
If you’re curious about tooth options, a crown and bridge lab can tell you about different materials in your area. But for saving money, stick with EDP’s network.
Request a Pre-Treatment Estimate
Before starting, I asked the dental staff for a “pre-treatment plan.” It showed every step and every price with the EDP discount already knocked off. That meant no surprise bills, and I could plan for other stuff (like bone grafts or x-rays) that’s easy to forget.
Compare Providers, Even Within EDP
Not every EDP dentist charges the same! I called two EDP dentists less than five miles apart. One wanted $1,000 more for the same work. It pays to check around.
Ask About Payment Plans and Financing
A lot of EDP dentists let you pay over time. If they don’t, I looked at CareCredit, which is like a credit card for medical stuff—with special rates if you pay fast.
Other Ways I Managed Implant Costs
Discounts help, but implants are still pricey. Here’s how I made it work:
Financing Options
Besides CareCredit, I spoke to my bank about personal loans. Some credit unions give simple loans for medical stuff with low interest. I stayed away from fast-cash loan shops—they’re trouble.
HSAs, FSAs, and Dental Schools
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use pre-tax money for dental implants. The paperwork was a pain, but I saved some cash. Just double-check if your procedure counts.
If you’re really short on funds or don’t mind waiting, dental school clinics charge way less. The process is slower, and students do the work (with experts watching), but the job was better than I expected. (It’s a good backup if you can handle it.)
Exploring Alternatives: Bridges & Dentures
I thought about my options before saying yes to implants. Dental bridges and removable dentures are usually much cheaper (and yes, they’re discounted with EDP too). So if you’re still thinking, talk with your dentist about all the choices.
If you want to see how these things are made, some places just do removable dentures and bridges, and the tools have gotten way better!
What I Did Before Committing to Dental Implants
Implants are for life, so I did my homework first:
Consultation Steps
Doing this saved me lots of worry and a few hundred bucks I could have lost to “surprise” fees.
Conclusion: Is EDP Dental Right for Implants? My Verdict
So, here’s my honest answer: EDP Dental doesn’t pay for implants like regular insurance does, but it can make things way cheaper. The best things for me were:
- No yearly spending limits or waiting
- Big, quick discounts on every part of the implant process
- Clear prices as long as you ask
But it’s not magic: I still paid a lot out of my own pocket. For me, the EDP plan made implants a real option. If you want to pay just a tiny co-pay and walk out with a new tooth—EDP isn’t going to do that. If you just want a big, fair discount now, especially if your insurance says “Sorry, we don’t help with implants,” EDP is worth checking out.
Just remember: always compare, double-check your dentist’s prices, and shop around. What works for one person may not be right for another.
FAQs: Answers to Your Top Questions
Q: Can I use EDP Dental with other insurance?
A: Usually, no. Most offices won’t give EDP discounts if you already have insurance paying.
Q: Are there waiting times for implants with EDP?
A: Nope. The discount starts as soon as your membership does.
Q: Does EDP Dental cover stuff you already had before joining?
A: Yes—the plan doesn’t block anyone for pre-existing stuff, because it’s a discount, not insurance.
Q: How do I find a dentist in EDP’s network for implants?
A: Look on the EDP website or call their customer service for a list close to you. Always check if they actually do implants.
Q: What if my dentist isn’t in the EDP network?
A: You don’t get the discount if you go out-of-network. I switched, and it was worth it to save money.
If you’re looking into new options, don’t forget to check out a good dental ceramics lab or what’s new at a digital dental lab. For deep info about dental implants, I found this detailed guide really helpful.
If you’ve read all this, you really care about your teeth—and your wallet. I hope my story with EDP Dental and implants helps you make a smart choice for your smile and your money.
