Dental insurance is incredibly useful for those seeking treatment to improve and maintain their oral health. However, there are some things you’ll want to consider when purchasing a plan either on your own or through your employer. Keep reading to learn a few things to know about dental insurance before buying a plan.
Preventive Treatment Is Typically Completely Covered
While it’s important to visit your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings, these appointments can easily become costly over time. Fortunately, virtually every dental insurance company will offer full coverage for this preventive service, which typically involves routine X-rays, an oral examination, professional teeth cleaning, and an oral cancer screening. When choosing your provider, be sure to verify that your plan covers checkups so you don’t have any surprises.
Restorative Care Can Also Be Included in Your Plan
In the majority of cases, dental insurance plans will offer around 80% coverage for the total cost of minor restorative treatments, such as tooth-colored fillings. This means you’ll generally have to pay the rest of the 20% left out of pocket. For more extensive procedures, such as dental crowns, root canals, or tooth extractions, you might expect partial assistance. Some insurance plans might cover only half of the overall price.
Not Every Dental Service Will Be Covered by Insurance
Most insurers will generally help cover preventive and restorative dental services that are considered essential for preserving good oral health. Other elective procedures, especially cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers, will usually not be included in your benefits. This can potentially change if the service is designed to repair a tooth, but you’ll have to double-check with your provider beforehand. Orthodontic treatments may only be covered through certain dental insurance plans, so it’s important to consult the company if you’re interested in corrective services.
Dental Insurance Usually Involves Waiting Periods
Even if you get a coverage policy, you can typically expect it to involve a waiting period before your benefits can kick in. Routine checkups and cleanings can often be covered on the spot, so you usually won’t have to wait whenever you want to schedule an appointment. For restorative procedures, however, you may have to wait a few months after buying your plan for your benefits to work.
Make sure to keep these factors in mind when purchasing a dental insurance policy, that way you don’t get blindsided by any surprising details. Feel free to consult the company about any questions and concerns, that way you can be well-informed when choosing the right plan for you.
About the Practice
At Advanced Smile Design, we want to ensure that every patient has the opportunity to receive the reliable and personalized dental care they deserve. Our team is in-network with many insurance providers and will be more than happy to help you navigate policies so that you can make the most of your plan. If you wish to know more about dental coverage or want to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call our office at 215-659-3334.
