4 Things to Know About Dental Insurance

Your dental health is crucial for your overall well-being, so taking the time to go to the dental office for cleanings and checkups is highly recommended. To make essential dental care more affordable, dental insurance is an excellent tool to utilize. As you choose a dental insurance plan, it’s important to be well informed. Here are some things you should know about dental insurance.

Preventive Care Is Usually Covered

Having regular cleanings and checkups every six months can become costly very quickly. This typically includes a cleaning, examination, and routine X-ray. In most dental insurance plans, these preventive visits are usually covered at 100%. Just be sure to confirm this when you choose your plan so that you don’t run into any unnecessary surprises.

Restorative Care Also Receives Coverage

Most dental insurance plans cover approximately 80% of minor restorative procedures, like dental fillings, so the patient only needs to pay the remaining 20%. For example, If you get a filling that costs $400 and your insurance plan covers 80%, you will only need to pay $80. If you need a major restorative procedure, like root canal treatment, a dental crown, or dentures, dental insurance plans usually cover up to 50%, so you will be left with half of the overall cost. Again, every plan is different, so it’s best to confirm your coverage ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect.

Dental Insurance Plans Have Waiting Periods

Dental insurance can save you a lot of money in the long run. However, there is often waiting period before you are able to begin utilizing your coverage. In the majority of cases, preventive care visits are covered right away, so you don’t need to wait to schedule your cleanings and checkups.

However, if you need restorative treatment, this might not be covered for the first few months. You should check about any waiting periods when you choose your plan.

Dental Insurance Doesn’t Cover All Services

Your dental insurance plan provides you with coverage on preventive and restorative care. However, elective procedures aren’t usually covered unless they also provide a benefit to your oral health, like getting a veneer to cover and protect a cracked tooth. Corrective services, like orthodontics, receive coverage on some plans, so you should ask about this if you are interested in those types of treatments.

Dental insurance isn’t like the medical insurance you’re used to, so it can be confusing. By asking questions and becoming informed, you can find the right plan to meet your needs!

About the Practice

At Drennan Family Dentistry, Dr. Terry L. Drennan and Dr. Jade Carlson work together to serve patients in the Fort Worth area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about dental insurance or schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (817) 732-5522.