In the past, you’ve had some dental work, a filling or crown or two, to address cavities or fractures, but now you want to focus on how your smile looks. As you look into cosmetic dentistry, you find that many resources say that you’ll probably have to pay for the entire cost yourself. Doesn’t dental insurance cover cosmetic dentistry? Generally, no, but to fully understand this financial side, you’ll need to know several concepts explained below.
Concept #1: Exclusively Cosmetic Dentistry Is Elective.
If you have a cavity or dental injury, your crown is considered necessary by dental insurance companies because it has a direct effect on function and health. However, if you choose to treat a tooth only to improve how it looks, this treatment is deemed elective or optional.
Concept #2: Dental Insurance Does Not Cover Elective Procedures.
Dental insurance is designed to help ease the financial burden of health-related dental work. As a result, if you elect to have cosmetic procedures done, your dental insurance will not contribute to the overall cost, and you will be obligated to pay the entire price out of pocket.
Concept #3: Some Restorations Are Both Necessary and Cosmetic.
With just a few exceptions, most restorations these days are made to look realistic and natural. As a result, when you get work done on your teeth, even if you haven’t specifically requested a cosmetic treatment, you can see improvement in your teeth’s appearance. These restorations can be both required and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. When there is this overlap, dental insurance will cover part of the total cost of treatment.
Concept #4: There Are Other Ways to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable.
Contrary to popular belief, dental insurance is not the only resource available to bring cosmetic procedures within your budget. For instance, some dental offices have special offers on certain services, such as free consultations. Others may provide an in-house membership plan, which replaces dental insurance and differs from it in that the plan includes a discount on cosmetic procedures as well. Finally, many dental offices accept payment through a trusted financier, breaking up the sum into easier monthly installments.
In the end, grasping these and other concepts about dental insurance can help you get the most value out of your plan or make smarter financial decisions when perfecting your smile. Get informed so you can know what to expect when it comes time to pay!
About the Practice
In Spring House, NeoSmile Dental Care is proud to be in-network with many dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, but we also have special offers and an in-house savings plan that comes with a 20 percent discount on cosmetic services. For flexible financing, we work with CareCredit or Sunbit, which are both nationwide, trusted companies that allow patients to pay over a period of time. If you have questions about the financial details of treatment, contact our team online or call 215-643-5220 for an appointment.
