At Lumin8 Dentistry, we work with military families every day to navigate their Tricare Dental Program benefits and make implant treatment affordable. We’re proud to serve the Lakewood community and surrounding areas, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord families, and we recognize the unique needs of service members and their families. 

Military families face unique challenges when managing healthcare needs, and dental care is no exception. When you’re considering dental implants, understanding your Tricare Dental Program (TDP) coverage can make a major difference in your treatment planning and budget. In basic terms, the answer is yes, TDP does provide coverage for dental implants, but the specifics matter. 

Understanding the Tricare Dental Program

The TDP is a voluntary benefit separate from standard Tricare Medical coverage. Administered by United Concordia, this program serves active-duty family members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families across all 50 states and overseas locations.

Unlike your automatic Tricare Medical benefits, you must actively enroll in TDP. The minimum enrollment period is 12 months, though you can continue coverage month-to-month afterward. To enroll, your service member sponsor must have at least 12 months remaining on their military obligation.

TDP offers two plan options: single coverage for one person or family coverage for two or more eligible members. Monthly premiums vary based on your sponsor’s rank and status, with recent rate reductions bringing costs down for many families. Active-duty families in pay grades E-4 and below with multiple family members now pay approximately $22.48 per month, while other categories range from about $11.53 to $29.98 per month. Your sponsor’s pay grade affects your cost-share for certain services. This rank-based pricing structure aims to make care more affordable for junior enlisted families.

What Dental Implant Coverage Looks Like

TDP classifies dental implants as a major restorative service. The program covers 50% of the cost of dental implants, leaving you to pay the remaining 50% out of pocket. This cost-sharing applies to both the implant fixture itself and related prosthetic components, such as crowns or dentures.

However, coverage comes with significant limitations. The annual maximum benefit is $1,500 per person for all dental services combined. This means if you need other dental work throughout the year, those expenses count toward the same $1,500 cap. For many patients requiring implants, this annual maximum may not cover the full cost of the procedure, so planning ahead makes sense. 

Additional Coverage Considerations

TDP provides 100% coverage for diagnostic and preventive services, including regular exams, cleanings, and X-rays. These preventive benefits don’t count toward your annual maximum, which helps you maintain your oral health without eating into coverage for major procedures.

TDP also covers bone grafting and other preparatory procedures you might need before implant placement. These services fall under the same cost-sharing structure and count toward your annual maximum. 

While navigating insurance coverage might seem overwhelming, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Dr. Jun Carrington and our experienced team at Lumin8 Dentistry specialize in helping military families maximize their dental benefits while receiving exceptional care.

When Tricare Coverage Isn’t Enough

Many military families find TDP’s $1,500 annual maximum insufficient to cover the full cost of implant treatment, especially when multiple teeth need replacement. A single dental implant can cost several thousand dollars, and when you’re paying 50% of that cost plus any additional procedures, expenses add up quickly.

This is where working with our military-friendly dental practice makes a real difference. 

At Lumin8 Dentistry, we understand the financial realities military families face. Our team works directly with TDP and United Concordia to handle all pre-authorization paperwork. Some procedures, including dental implants, require pre-authorization. Our dental office will submit documentation to United Concordia confirming coverage before treatment begins. This step protects you from unexpected costs and ensures you understand your financial responsibility upfront.

We offer flexible payment arrangements to make quality restorative dentistry accessible regardless of your budget. We also work closely with Cherry to provide low- or no-interest options for qualified patients.

Making the Most of Your Benefits

Understanding your out-of-pocket costs before beginning treatment helps you budget appropriately and explore financing options if needed. Ask our treatment and financial coordinators to break down exactly what TDP will cover and what you’ll owe. Our office can process this information quickly through electronic systems.

Consider timing your treatment strategically. If your dental implant requires multiple steps over several months, you might schedule parts of the treatment in different calendar years to take advantage of your annual maximum benefit twice. Dr. Carrington can help structure your treatment to ensure proper healing between procedures, while our coordinators can plan to optimize your insurance benefits. 

Get Started With Your Smile Restoration at Lumin8 Dentistry

Start by scheduling a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants. During this visit, Dr. Carrington will assess your bone density, overall oral health, and treatment needs. From there, he can plan with you and our team for all the next steps in your dental care.

Dental implants can transform your smile and restore full function to your mouth. Our state-of-the-art facility offers the latest implant technology, and our treatment and financial coordinators specialize in handling all aspects of the insurance process. 

Whether you need a single implant or full mouth reconstruction, we create personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs and budget. Ready to explore your options? Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a complete, confident smile.