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Have you ever put off a necessary medical procedure because of the cost? If so, you’re not alone. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, an alarming 38% of Americans put off medical treatment that year because of the rising cost, the highest percentage they’ve measured this century. While that may not be medically advisable, it’s certainly understandable, with increasing costs in many other areas of life. However, there’s a way to potentially make tooth restoration more affordable, allowing you to regain your quality of life while recouping some of the cost. Your dental implants can be tax deductible under the right circumstances.
Understanding Dental Implants
Dental implants and mini dental implants are small but incredibly strong titanium posts. We place them directly into your jawbone, where they serve as a foundation for replacing missing teeth. Over a few months, they naturally bond with your jawbone and become a permanent part of your mouth. These durable screws are incredibly versatile. Depending on your needs, they can support dental crowns (for single teeth), implant-supported bridges (for several missing teeth), or implant dentures (for all teeth).
Benefits of Dental Implants
Consider dental implants a long-term investment in your smile, health, and confidence. They’re not just about replacing teeth; they’re about restoring your ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, like savoring your favorite meal or laughing freely with friends. When you restore teeth with dental implants, you’ll be able to:
- Achieve a natural look and feel: They mimic your natural teeth so well that others won’t be able to tell which teeth are the implants.
- Speak and eat with ease: You won’t have to worry about dentures slipping while you speak or experiencing difficulty chewing your favorite foods. Implants let you talk and eat just like you would with your natural teeth.
- Enjoy a long-lasting solution: Implants can last a lifetime with proper care. They’re a one-time investment in your oral health and overall well-being.
- Protect facial structure and bone: Missing teeth can lead to bone loss, which affects your facial structure. Implants stimulate bone growth, helping to maintain your face’s natural shape.
- Not affect your surrounding teeth: Unlike traditional bridges, implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support. This means we don’t have to alter your other teeth, keeping more of them intact.
Claiming Dental Implants As Tax Deductible
Under Topic No.502, Medical and Dental Expenses, the IRS states that “payments for treatments affecting any structure or function of the body” can be deducted from your taxes should they meet certain thresholds. So, how do you calculate how much you can deduct? You need to start by being comfortable itemizing your deductions rather than taking the Standard Deduction. If you’re not comfortable with this process or are unsure of how it works, we highly recommend seeking the guidance of a certified tax professional. Next, you need to calculate a few numbers:
- Adjusted Gross Income or AGI: This number is your total income, including wages, investments, capital gains, pensions, etc., minus your adjustments, which can include HSA and IRA contributions, self-employment tax, student loan interest, and more. H&R Block has a helpful guide on calculating your AGI here. You can also find your AGI on your taxes on Line 11 of Form 1040.
- Minimum Threshold: You cannot deduct any amount until you meet the minimum threshold of 7.5% of your AGI. For example, if your AGI is $50,000, your minimum threshold would be 7.5% of that, which is $3,750. You can only deduct the part of your Adjusted Implant Expenses that exceed $3,750.
- Adjusted Implant Expenses: This is what you spent on your implant procedure, minus any payments from dental insurance or a Health Savings Account.
Calculating Your Deduction
Once you’ve calculated the numbers above, the formula for your deduction is relatively simple. It’s Adjusted Implant Expenses – Minimum Threshold = Your Deduction. Continuing the previous example, let’s say your net expenses after insurance and HSA payments were $15,000, and we’ve already established that the minimum threshold calculated from your AGI was $3,750. When you plug those numbers into our formula, you get $15,000 – $3,750 = $11,250 as your potential deductible. Remember that these are only example figures; your exact calculations will change based on your variables.
Learn More About Tax Deductible Dental Implants
If you’ve been considering replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, the fact that they’re tax deductible may make the financial aspect more palatable. At Happy Smile Family Dentistry, Dr. Aristodemo and her experienced staff are happy to answer your questions and help walk you through any financial concerns at your consultation. So why wait? Schedule your free consultation today, and see how dental implants can restore your quality of life.
