Does OHIP Cover Dental Implants? A Simple Guide To Your Choices In Ontario

Have you just found out you need dental implants, and your stomach sank? Maybe your dentist told you, or maybe you unexpectedly lost a tooth and need to figure out what comes next. If your big worry is: “Will OHIP help pay for dental implants?”—you’re not the only one.

Let’s be real. Dental implants are expensive. It’s totally normal to hope your Ontario health card (OHIP) will cover the bill. You pay into the system, so shouldn’t it help with stuff like teeth?

Take a breath. I’ll break down what OHIP covers (and doesn’t cover), why these rules are in place, what rare exceptions exist, and all the other ways you might pay for implants in Ontario. I’ll keep it plain, honest, and easy to follow. Let’s help you feel more in control about what to do next.

Does OHIP Pay for Dental Implants?
What Dental Services Are Covered by OHIP?
The Truth About “Medically Necessary” and Dental Implants
What Do Dental Implants Cost in Ontario?
How Can You Afford Dental Implants? Other Choices and Help With Costs
What Should You Do if You Need an Implant?
Common Questions About OHIP & Dental Coverage
Key Takeaways and Your Next Steps

Does OHIP Pay for Dental Implants?

Let’s answer your main question right up front.

The truth:

OHIP does not pay for dental implants for most people, in almost all situations.

That’s not fun to hear. But there’s a reason for it, and it might be helpful to see how it works.

Why Not?

OHIP, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, is made to pay for “medically necessary” care. That means OHIP covers things that are needed to keep you alive or healthy—like surgeries, hospital visits, and some doctor trips. But regular dental work like fillings, cleanings, or dental implants isn’t on the list. For OHIP, teeth are your own job unless it gets very serious.

Why Aren’t Dental Implants “Medically Necessary” For OHIP?

Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. They’re strong, look real, and help you chew and smile with confidence. But OHIP says they are “restorative” or “cosmetic,” instead of something that will save your life or health. Unless it’s part of a big hospital surgery or an emergency, you have to look for some other way to pay for them.

What Dental Services Are Covered by OHIP?

If dental implants aren’t covered, what is? This is where things get picky. OHIP pays for dental work only in a few situations, when it’s for serious emergencies or mixed with tough medical problems.

1. Emergency Dental Work in Hospitals

If you have a really bad dental emergency, OHIP might help. For example, if you break your jaw in a car accident, get a deep infection that closes your throat, or need surgery in a hospital for a huge abscess—OHIP can help cover it.

Examples of OHIP-covered dental care in hospital:

Fixing broken jaws after an accident
Surgery for big tumors or cysts in the jaw
Infections that need you to go to the hospital
Surgery to fix big face or jaw problems

But even here, OHIP only pays for the hospital part they believe is needed—not for the dental implants later on.

2. Dental Plans for Some Groups

Some people can get government dental care, but these are just for basic needs and still don’t pay for implants. Quick rundown:

Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO): For kids and teens in low-income families. Covers things like checkups, cleanings, pulling teeth, and fillings (not implants).
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Plan (OSDCP): For low-income seniors (age 65+). Helps with exams, cleanings, simple dental work, and dentures—not implants.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW): Some dental help for those who qualify. Might help with crowns or dentures, but not implants.

3. Does OHIP Ever Pay for Implants?

Only in really rare cases:

If you need to rebuild your face after losing your jaw to cancer or trauma, OHIP will usually pay for the main hospital surgery, but not the dental implants that would come later. The cost for the actual implant and tooth usually comes from you or your insurance.

It’s tough but true: OHIP helps with fixing the bone, not putting in a new tooth.

The Truth About “Medically Necessary” and Dental Implants

So, what does “medically necessary” really mean here?

What Does “Medically Necessary” Mean for OHIP and Dental Work?

For insurance, “medically necessary” means something has to save your life or serious health. A broken jaw? Yes. A big infection that could spread? Yes. But a missing tooth, even if it’s hard to chew or feels embarrassing? Not urgent enough for OHIP.

Think of it this way:

If your problem could be handled with something cheaper (like a denture), OHIP says that’s enough. Implants are awesome, but not the only answer.

Covered: Hospital repair after accident, surgery for bad infection

NOT covered: Fixing missing teeth, making your smile look better, full sets of implants to help you chew

Sometimes, after cancer or a big accident, you might get surgery in hospital supported by OHIP. But putting in the actual implants after that is almost always up to you and your dental team to cover.

What Do Dental Implants Cost in Ontario?

If insurance doesn’t pay, what will you pay for implants?

The Real Numbers (2024 Averages)

One Implant (post, connector, crown):

Plan for $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth in Ontario. Big jobs can cost more.

More Than One Implant:

Doing a few at once, or a bridge supported by implants, might lower per-tooth cost, but the total price is still high.

Full Mouth/Full Arch Implants (like “All-on-4”):

These are much more, from $15,000 to $30,000 or more for one arch (top or bottom teeth).

Extra Steps (if needed):
Bone graft: $500 – $3,000
Sinus lift: $1,500 – $3,500
Tooth out: $150 – $500

What Makes It Cost More?

There’s lots that can make the price go up:

How many teeth need to be done
Do you need bone rebuilding first
Type of material used
Which city you’re in, and specialist fees
If your jaw or bite is tricky to fit

Almost always, dental implants are not cheap in Ontario.

How Can You Afford Dental Implants? Other Choices and Help With Costs

So, the price sticker is real. If OHIP won’t help, what can you do? Here’s a simple look at your choices:

1. Private Dental Insurance

Does insurance ever pay for implants?

Sometimes. If you have workplace or personal dental plans, check your details:

Implants might be called “major restorative” work.
Common: 50% covered up to your yearly limit (often $1,000–$2,500 per year). If you do more than one implant, you might have to spread it out each year.
Many plans have a waiting time for big work, like 6–12 months.

TIP:

Ask your insurance before you start. Some don’t pay for implants at all, and most need a form filled in first.

2. Government Dental Plans: The Limits

Remember: ODSP, OSDCP, HSO, and OW cover some simple dental needs (like fillings, checkups, dentures)—but not implants except in those rare hospital cases.

3. Dental Payment Plans and Loans

Many dental offices give you payment options for big bills.

You may be able to split your implant cost into monthly payments.
Outside dental financing companies: Special loans for dental or medical work. The cost and rules are different everywhere, so watch for added fees or rates.

4. Health Spending Accounts (HSAs)

If you get an HSA at work, or you’re self-employed, you might use it to pay for dental implants before taxes. Not insurance, but it can help lower taxes so the cost doesn’t sting quite so much.

5. Dental Schools and Community Clinics

Dental schools (for example in Toronto or London) may offer dental implant work at a discount. It’s done by students with expert teachers watching, and it can save you money.
Community clinics sometimes help people in real trouble, but they have long waiting lists and can’t always offer implants.

6. Charity Groups

Sometimes, support groups for survivors of trauma, refugees, or veterans help with big dental work, but it’s rare for them to pay for implants. You’ll need to fit their rules, and often need a referral.

Cheaper Alternatives?

Implants are great, but out of reach for many. What else is there?

Other ways to replace teeth:

Partial dentures: Take out and put in as needed, and much cheaper. Will fill one or more missing teeth.
Bridges: Permanent “fake” teeth joined to nearby teeth—cheaper than implants, but don’t always last as long.

If you think about these, ask your dentist about how well they work, how comfy they are, and the long-term cost.

Want to look into lab-made removable dentures or crown and bridge? Some labs work closely with your dentist to make a fit made just for you.

What Should You Do if You Need an Implant?

You’ve lost a tooth. You want to know about implants. What should you do now? Here’s a simple step-by-step:

Step 1: See a Dentist or Specialist

Start by getting checked by a dentist or a specialist like a prosthodontist. They’ll look at your gums and jaw and take X-rays to see if an implant is right for you. You might want to read about who can get dental implants.

Step 2: Ask for a Plan and Cost

Ask for all the facts:

What steps are there? (pulling the tooth, bone fixing, putting in the screw, adding the new tooth)
How much does each step cost?
What are payment or help options?

Step 3: Check How You Might Pay

Check your insurance (ask about what they pay and yearly limits)
See if a work or personal health plan can help
Ask if you can pay in parts over time
Look into dental schools

Step 4: Ask Around

Get a second opinion—especially if you’re told you need a lot of extra work. Different offices have different prices.

Step 5: Get Ready, Health and Budget

Implants work best if you have healthy gums now. Start fixing your mouth and saving cash—waiting too long can make things harder and even cost more later.

Common Questions About OHIP & Dental Coverage

Some other questions you may have:

Q: Does OHIP pay for dentures?

Not by itself. Some programs (like the Seniors Dental Plan) may help with dentures for those who qualify, but regular OHIP doesn’t pay.

Q: Does OHIP pay for oral surgery?

Sometimes, if it’s medically a must and done in hospital—like pulling teeth that could cause a deadly infection, or surgery for big jaw problems. Most wisdom teeth pulls aren’t covered unless there’s a big problem.

Q: What about dental care for people with little money?

Plans like HSO (kids), OSDCP (older folks), ODSP, and OW (some adults) give simple care, but almost never implants.

Q: Can I get help paying for big dental work?

Maybe. Dental insurance (if you have it), payment plans, dental schools, or health plans at work can help. Some charities exist, but it’s really rare for them to pay for implants unless you have very special needs.

Q: Are there choices besides implants?

For sure. Bridges and dentures don’t feel quite like the real thing, but they do the job and are much easier on your wallet.

Q: What if I need implants after an accident or cancer?

If the first big surgery is in hospital, OHIP might pay for that, but not the implant later on. Ask both your dental and hospital doctors about choices just for you.

If you want to know more about custom options, you can look at dental ceramics labs, which work with dentists to make special replacement teeth.

Who’s a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Not everyone missing a tooth can get an implant, even if money isn’t a problem. Dentists look for:

Healthy gums and bone: The implant needs something solid to hold.
Good mouth care: Brushing, flossing, seeing the dentist
No sore gums or untreated cavities
No recent radiation to the jaw
Not smoking, or willing to stop: Smoking can mess up the healing.
Realistic hope: Implants feel and look real, but they’re not magic—you need to look after them, and sometimes they still need fixing.

If you’re not a good fit right now, your dentist might help you work toward being ready—maybe with a bone graft or better home care.

Key Takeaways and Your Next Steps

Here’s the real story plain and simple:

OHIP almost never pays for dental implants. It’s for emergencies or hospital-only cases.
Most people in Ontario pay for implants themselves, and they cost $3,000–$6,000 per tooth.
Ways to pay do exist, but not from OHIP: Try dental insurance, workplace health plans, payment plans, and dental schools.
Other options like bridges or dentures may help while you save or find another way.
Looking after your mouth is always cheapest. Take care of your teeth, see your dentist often, and treat problems early.

What Should You Do Now?

Talk to a dentist you trust.

They’ll tell you the cost and talk over your choices.

Ask lots of questions.

Dental offices deal with these questions all the time, and you won’t be judged for asking about money.

Look at your full list of options.

Financing, insurance, labs, and different replacements are all worth a chat.

Your Healthy, Bright Smile Starts With Knowing More

Big dental bills are stressful—no way around it. But knowing what insurance covers gives you the power to make a plan.

Don’t forget, dental implants are just one way to get your chewing and smile back after losing a tooth. With less stress, good advice, and some smart thinking, you’ll find the right path for your mouth.

Still worried? Take the first step—see a dentist and talk it out. Whether you get implants or something else, you’ll feel better once you know your plan.

Wishing you health, happiness, and plenty of smiles—from one person in Ontario to another.

This article was checked for accuracy and is up to date as of 2024. For help with your own situation or a personal exam, always see a dentist or specialist in Ontario.

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