Insurance

Dental insurance plans are designed to help pay for dental care. If you have health insurance through your employer or private provider, you likely also have dental coverage, but the plans are separate.

Most dental insurance plans have a maximum amount that they will pay out per year, per person, called an annual maximum benefit. This amount is the most money the dental insurance company will pay out in a year. Once you reach your annual maximum, you will be responsible for paying 100% of dental costs until your dental insurance plan resets at the beginning of the following year.
Some plans also require you to pay a deductible before they start paying for dental care. In general, dental plans can help reduce the cost of dental care, so you pay less out-of-pocket expenses.

What does dental insurance cover?

Most dental coverage includes preventive care, such as annual or bi-annual dental checkups and cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments. Some plans also offer full or partial coverage for orthodontic work, such as braces.

Dental insurance plans also generally cover a portion of the cost of significant procedures such as fillings, dental crowns, and root canals.
Typically, cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental plans. Your dental benefits do not cover procedures like teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, and contouring.

All Dental Insurance Policies Are Different

It is essential to keep in mind that, like medical insurance policies, dental insurance policies differ depending on the provider and the dental plan that you choose. Some plans may cover a portion of costly dental procedures that other plans don’t cover. Your dental insurance premiums and deductibles will differ depending on your dental plan.

When in doubt, always ask your insurance provider what is and is not covered before getting dental treatment.