Depending on the nature of your dental procedure and the terms of your insurance policy, some treatments may be partially or entirely covered by insurance. Generally speaking, dental procedures that are considered cosmetic are usually not covered by insurance.
Cosmetic dentistry is usually classified as a procedure that is not preventative, but meant to improve or beautify your smile. Common procedures that fall under the cosmetic dental category include: Bleaching, BriteSmile, Laser Teeth Whitening, Dental Implants, Porcelain Inlays, Veneers, Orthodontia, Invisalign and in some instances, Gingivectomy and Cosmetic Gum Grafting. In order to fully understand what will be covered by insurance, two steps can be taken.
General dentistry typically deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases affecting the gums, teeth and surrounding structures of the mouth. General dental procedures may also include the repair and replacement of decayed teeth. Depending on your carrier and policy, treatments falling under the “general” category may be partially or entirely covered by insurance. As with cosmetic dental procedures, if you have questions about whether or not a procedure is covered by your insurance, two steps can be taken.
If you think the cost of cosmetic dentistry is out of reach, you’re certainly not alone. Some dental procedures may not be covered by insurance and for many patients; paying out of pocket is simply out of the question. Fortunately, there is a Plan B! With the recent popularity of cosmetic dentistry, financing companies are trying to cash in on the increased demand by financing general and cosmetic dental procedures. Also, more and more dental offices are accepting payments through outside lenders.
Over time, the advent of newer technologies will help lower cosmetic dentistry costs. Until then, financing your cosmetic dental procedure may be a viable option. During your consultation with a HealthySmile affiliated dentist, you will be informed of all your financing options and taken through the process, from start to finish!
As with any type of financing, your credit history will play a role in both your loan approval and your interest rate. The same is true when you finance a dental procedure. If you’re interested in pursuing cosmetic dentistry through financing but have bad credit, you’ll most likely need a co-signer. Many financing companies and independent brokers put a lot of effort into helping parties with bad credit. While they may approve your application, you should be aware that you will usually pay higher interest rates.
On the other hand, if you have a good history of credit, many companies offer a low introductory rate for a specified period—sometimes as low as 0%! Regardless of your situation, HealthySmileForum encourages you to explore all of your dental payment options and shop around for the best rate. While it’s often more convenient to work with lenders recommended by your dental office, there are a lot of other finance companies and independent finance brokers worth considering.