Of course, you want to get the maximum your benefits will allow with the dental insurance plan that you have. Knowing what is and what is not covered, however, can sometimes be a little tricky. Take a service performed by a cosmetic dentist in DuPont, for example. Generally speaking, dental insurance does not cover cosmetic dentistry. But what if that cosmetic procedure is part of an overall restorative need? This could be an exception. Read on to learn more.
Elective Procedure vs. Medically Necessary
To know whether or not your situation is an exception, we need to understand the difference between an elective procedure and one that is medically necessary.
Simply put, an elective procedure involves dental work that is not necessary for medical reasons. For example, teeth whitening can give you a much-needed boost of self-confidence, but whiter teeth are not medically required.
Repairing a tooth that has been broken due to traumatic injury or removing a diseased tooth may, in fact, be medically necessary.
Cosmetic Procedure as Part of Restoration
But what happens when a dental procedure has both an elective and a restorative component? Say for example you have a tooth that has been broken by injury and needs a dental crown. In this case, dental insurance may cover a portion of the cost of the treatment to completely restore your tooth even though dental insurance does not normally cover the cosmetic component.
Thus, there are instances when cosmetic dentistry can be medically necessary.
Check with Your Dental Insurance Provider
To know whether or not any portion of a cosmetic dentistry procedure you need may be covered, check with your insurance provider. Policies differ from one another, so the only way to know for sure is to ask.
You can call the customer service number that is provided on your dental insurance card, or ask your dental insurance dentist in DuPont to call and get an answer for you.
Say Hello to Dupont Family Dentistry
At Dupont Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing all of the services our patients need to have a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile at every age. If you need to schedule a checkup or any other kind of treatment, make an appointment today with your family dentist in DuPont.