Whether you want to address a dental issue or something else to boost your confidence, one big question probably comes to mind: does insurance help cover the cost? Dental insurance varies depending on your plan, but there are certain procedures that are more often covered than others. So, in this blog, we’ll break it down and see what’s usually covered, and what’s not. Keep reading!
What does dental insurance cover?
In most cases, dental insurance does not cover procedures that are purely elective and not considered medically necessary. And while everything is covered depending on the details of your insurance plan, here’s a breakdown of common dental procedures and if they are generally covered by insurance.
- Teeth whitening: Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure as it does not impact the health or function of the teeth. Neither in-office whitening treatments nor at-home whitening trays and products are likely to be covered.
- Root Canals: Root canals treat infected or damaged tooth pulp to save the natural tooth. Dental insurance typically covers only a percentage of the procedure (often 40-80%), leaving some costs out-of-pocket.
- Fillings: Fillings are used to treat cavities and prevent further tooth decay. Most insurance plans cover a significant portion of fillings, though coverage might differ based on a variety of factors (like, tooth-colored fillings for your back teeth are often not covered).
- Dental Implants: Dental implants replace missing teeth with a long-lasting, natural-looking solution. They are not covered by insurance unless considered medically necessary, and even then, only partial coverage is typical.
- Cleanings: Dental cleanings are routine preventive procedures to remove plaque and tartar buildup. They are often fully or significantly covered by insurance, typically up to twice a year.
- Veneers: Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover the front of teeth to change their shape or color. They are rarely covered by insurance, although if they are used in situations deemed medically necessary (like tooth damage from an accident), they might be.
- Bonding: This procedure that uses tooth-colored composite resin to repair chipped, cracked, misshapen or badly stained teeth. If the procedure is deemed medically necessary, it may be covered by insurance, but if it is done purely for aesthetic reasons, it likely will not be covered.
- Crowns and onlays: Dental crowns and onlays repair tooth damage (a crown repairs damage on the cusp and crowns restore severely worn down or broken teeth). is a tooth-shaped cap that restores broken, worn-out, or decayed teeth. Dental insurance often covers part of the cost for a crown or onlay.
- Bridges: Dental bridges are permanent oral appliances that replace one or more missing teeth. They are often partially covered by insurance, but coverage is usually limited to a portion of the procedure’s total cost.
- Dentures: A denture is a removable oral appliance that replaces missing teeth. Dental insurance usually covers dentures and is usually covered at 50% of the cost, making you responsible for the remaining balance.
- Orthodontics: Dental insurance sometimes includes coverage for orthodontic braces and Invisalign to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth, although even if it does, it will most likely only pay for a certain percentage.
Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry procedures?
You may have noticed that multiple cosmetic procedures on this list are often not covered by dental insurance. That’s because cosmetic dentistry is meant to improve the appearance of your teeth and is often not considered medically necessary. However, some “medically necessary” procedures also offer cosmetic improvements.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for a cosmetic dentist in Burbank
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure what cosmetic dental procedures your insurance will cover is to carefully review the details of your specific plan. If you are considering an elective treatment, discuss it with your dentist and check with your insurance provider first to understand what costs you will be responsible for.
And if you’re looking for one of the best dentists in Burbank, come visit our office in Burbank, Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc! Dr. Ruiz is a respected dentist, educator, and researcher who has even developed a smile design technique that dentists all around the world use.
Check out our Google reviews and schedule an appointment with us!