Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants

Original Medicare - Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) - does not cover dental implants. In fact, Medicare explicitly excludes most routine dental care, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, and implants. This exclusion has been in place since Medicare was established and has not changed in 2026.

The only narrow exception is when a dental procedure is directly tied to a covered medical service. For example, if a jaw reconstruction is required as part of a covered surgery for facial trauma, Medicare Part A may cover the hospital stay and surgical costs - but the dental implant itself would still not be covered. Similarly, if tooth extraction is medically necessary before radiation treatment for oral cancer, Part A may cover the hospitalization, but not the dental work itself.

Because Original Medicare provides no dental benefit, beneficiaries who need implants must look to supplemental coverage options. The 2026 Part B standard premium is $202.90 per month and the Part B deductible is $283 - costs that go toward covered medical services, not dental implants.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are sold by private insurers and must cover everything Original Medicare covers - but many go further by offering supplemental benefits, including dental coverage. In 2026, a significant number of Medicare Advantage plans include some level of dental benefits, though the scope of coverage varies widely from plan to plan and by ZIP code.

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer basic dental coverage (preventive care such as cleanings and X-rays) at no extra cost, while others offer comprehensive dental riders that can include major restorative work like dental implants. However, even plans that cover implants typically impose annual maximums - often between $1,000 and $3,000 - and may require prior authorization. The in-network vs. out-of-network distinction also matters: using a dentist outside the plan's network can result in significantly higher out-of-pocket costs or no coverage at all.

The 2026 maximum out-of-pocket limit for Medicare Advantage plans is $9,250 for in-network services. This cap applies to Part A and Part B covered services, not dental benefits, so dental costs may be separate. For a full overview of what these plans include, see our guide to Medicare Advantage plan options. It is important to speak with a licensed agent to compare plans available in your area before enrolling.

Medicare Supplement plans (also called Medigap) are designed to fill the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare - things like the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026), Part B coinsurance, and hospital costs. Because Medigap only pays secondary to Original Medicare, it cannot cover services that Medicare itself does not cover. Since Original Medicare excludes dental implants entirely, a Medigap plan will provide no benefit for implant costs.

Keep in mind, Medicare Supplement plans only pay secondary to Medicare. So, if Medicare does not pay first, your Medicare Supplement plan will not cover any costs. Beneficiaries who have a Medigap plan and need dental coverage should consider a stand-alone dental insurance plan. These plans are available separately and can be combined with any Medigap policy. They often bundle coverage for vision and hearing as well, since Original Medicare also excludes those services.