Key Takeaways
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Implant cover is usually limited in the UK. Most dental insurance focuses on routine/general dentistry, so implants are often excluded or only partially covered.
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“Covered” can mean very different things. Some policies may cover only the crown (not the implant), pay a % up to an annual cap, or cover implants only after an accident/trauma.
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Check the fine print before you rely on it. Watch for waiting periods, annual maximums, per-tooth limits, and exclusions (including pre-existing missing teeth / previously planned treatment).
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Expect insurance to be a contribution, not the full bill. The article highlights that typical caps can mean you’ll still pay most
Find us: MyoDental 40 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8AB.
Dental Implant Insurance (UK): What’s Covered and What Isn’t?
Wondering if you can get dental implants under dental insurance? It’s possible. But it can often be a grey area on some policies, as the treatment can sometimes sit between a medical need and an elective, cosmetic treatment.
Our dental practice in Surrey accepts dental insurance payments.
Dental insurance plans in the UK
Most dental insurance plans in the UK focus on routine care and general dentistry, with implants often excluded or only partially covered. However, there are a few exceptions, particularly when there has been an injury or trauma.
Dental insurance companies such as AXA Premium, Vitality Dental Insurance, and Denplan’s Implant Upgrade Cover offer dental implant insurance plans with partial coverage or optional add-on upgrades.
Overview of coverage
Considerations and common limitations
- For Denplan: The implant cover is only for dental injuries caused by a sudden external blow to the mouth. It does not cover implants you need for other reasons (e.g. decay, bone loss, or elective tooth replacement).
- For Vitality: Even though implants and dentures are listed, the relatively low annual cap (£400) + 80% reimbursement means that for a typical implant (which costs £2,150 at our clinic), you’ll likely receive only a small contribution.
- For AXA: The £500 per year limit for implants and major restorative private dental work is modest, so the plan serves more as a partial subsidy rather than full coverage.
In all cases, you’ll need to check the fine print; many plans require a waiting period before major work/implant claims are eligible, and pre-existing conditions or previously planned work may be excluded. Question? Email us at hello@myodental.co.uk.
What’s typically covered
When a policy says it covers implants, it may mean:
- It covers the crown but not the implant fixture
- It pays a percentage of costs up to a yearly cap
- It covers only if the tooth loss was due to an accident
- It only covers implants if deemed clinically necessary (policy wording matters)
Always read the policy and check:
- Waiting periods
- Annual maximums
- Per-tooth limits
- Exclusions (pre-existing missing teeth, gum disease, cosmetic dentistry, smoking, etc.)
What you’ll likely be able to claim back
- If you take out AXA Premium and get a private implant, you might get up to £500 back, but you’ll likely pay the bulk of the cost yourself.
- If you choose Vitality’s dental add-on, the benefit towards implants is small — perhaps helpful for minor costs.
- If you use Denplan + Implant Upgrade, coverage applies only if the implant is needed after an injury in Surrey.
Full funding breakdown to help cover your costs
FAQs
Can I claim for implants on Surrey’s NHS?
Dental implants are not typically covered on the NHS, only in rare circumstances. Learn more.
Can I insure myself after I’ve already lost the tooth?
Many plans exclude pre-existing conditions (including already missing teeth) or apply waiting periods.
Is dental finance the same as insurance?
No finance spreads the cost, and insurance reimburses in accordance with policy rules. Patients can use dental finance as an alternative to dental insurance. Learn more.
