There is nothing like having a bright and healthy smile. Unfortunately, though, many of us are not blessed with straight, white teeth that we would feel confident flashing to the world in a wide-toothed grin. This is where cosmetic dentistry comes into play.
Cosmetic dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses primarily on improving how a patient’s teeth and smile look. Procedures such as whitening treatments, straightening with Invisalign, veneers, and even bonding fall into this category.
Now, you might be wondering, “Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?” Don’t worry, though—we’ll address that question below, in addition to discussing the costs of cosmetic dentistry and whether you can finance those costs or not.
Does Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry?
While around 77% of people in the United States have some type of dental insurance coverage, these plans are limited in that they typically do not cover the cost of cosmetic dental treatments. In fact, they only cover the dental procedures that are either considered medically necessary or otherwise related to health and wellness.
Restorative vs. Elective Procedures
Restorative dental procedures are considered medically necessary, while anything that falls under cosmetic dentistry is considered elective. Insurance policies will cover the cost of some of a restorative procedure, but they will not pay for elective procedures.
The trouble is, cosmetic dentists tend to utilize restorative procedures for both cosmetic and restorative purposes. So, how can you know whether a procedure is considered restorative or cosmetic? We’ve got the answer.
A dental procedure qualifies as restorative if:
- Decay or disease makes it medically necessary
- An accident or injury makes it medically necessary
- It is used to replace missing teeth or improve a patient’s bite rather than for aesthetics
Dental insurance policies deem a procedure cosmetic or elective if:
- The sole purpose of the procedure is to improve how a patient’s smile looks
- There is no decay, injury, or impairment of the tooth or tissue being replaced
- No medical reason exists for the procedure to alter the tooth or teeth
Dental Insurance and Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
If a cosmetic dentistry procedure is absolutely not medically necessary, then your insurance is not going to cover the cost. However, there are certain circumstances and situations in which the lines between dentistry that are medically necessary and purely cosmetic get blurred.
For example, a patient who needs dental work as the result of an accident wants the end result to look good. So, would the procedures for this patient fall under the category of restorative or cosmetic? Well, we believe it would fall under both categories. Since the patient has a medical need to replace their teeth, the procedure is considered restorative. But, that doesn’t mean the patient can’t have a beautiful smile from cosmetics as well.
Dental insurance policies might cover the costs of any cosmetic procedures that are deemed medically necessary. Here are some instances where dental insurance may cover a cosmetic dentistry procedure:
- Crowns or veneers that are necessary to replace injured, broken, diseased, or missing teeth
- If gum contouring is medically necessary as part of periodontal surgery that is the result of injury or infection
- Orthodontia is needed to correct teeth shifting from an injury or accident
How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?
Cosmetic dentistry takes many forms. Some of the services provided by Dean Dental Solutions includes:
- Whitening treatments
- Veneers and bonding
- Crowns
- Implants
- Straightening through Invisalign
For an estimate of the cost of your needed cosmetic dentistry procedure, schedule an appointment with one of the skilled dentists at Dean Dental Solutions.
Can You Finance Cosmetic Dentistry?
We understand that getting a dental procedure done without insurance coverage can present a financial burden for you. However, we also believe that excellent dental care shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. We want you to have a bright and healthy smile without having to break your bank to get it.
Thus, at Dean Dental Solutions, we offer options to help finance your cosmetic dentistry needs. With options like DentalCare and Lending Club Patient Solutions, dental financing is made simple, and you can get the low monthly payments you require to say “YES!” to your cosmetic dentistry procedure.
Cosmetic Dentist in North Little Rock
Now, that you know the ins and outs of whether insurance does cover cosmetic dentistry or not, we don’t want that to deter your decision to have a cosmetic procedure. Here at Dean Dental Solutions, we believe all dental procedures should be done with aesthetic appeal in mind. We stand behind the importance of a dentist that works with patients on cosmetic needs.
Regardless of the procedure you need, we can make it work for you with one of our affordable payment plans. Call today at (501) 271-3588 to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you achieve a bright and healthy smile you can be proud of.
This is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology.
sdsdsd
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email.