You have been quite content with your dental health. Then, suddenly, you develop a painful toothache. It hurts to just sip a glass of water, and you have a tough time concentrating because of the pain. You know it will not go away on its own. You need a dentist, and you question the cost.
The answer will vary depending on whether you have dental insurance and what your plan covers. Some dental insurance plans may cover just preventive care, yet others will cover treatments like crowns and oral surgery.
You wonder if you really need dental insurance. You could get by without it, but this approach comes with risk. It is usually worth it to carry dental insurance. Depending on your specific needs, you may not need a plan with comprehensive coverage. You should not ignore issues with your mouth, teeth, and gums. Oral health concerns can get worse without treatment and will lead to more costly medical problems.
What You Should Know About Dental Insurance
Some kinds of insurance, such as car insurance, are there in the event something unplanned happens. Dental insurance is also designed to be more proactive or preventative, keeping the worst from happening.
Here is how dental insurance usually works. You pay a monthly amount, a premium, and your plan will cover a portion of the cost of your dental care for the year. Plans will vary based on the insurance carrier and specific plan options. Dental insurance usually covers all preventive care, like checkups, screenings, and cleanings. Other elective services may have various levels of coverage.
Here are Insurance Terms You Should Know
- Premium- Your monthly charge to be enrolled in a dental insurance plan.
- Deductible- The dollar amount you need to pay for your dental care before your annual benefits begin. For most dental plans, this is usually only between $25-$75. Preventive services are covered before you reach your deductible.
- Coinsurance- The percentage of the treatment cost you pay after you have met your deductible. Your coinsurance for a root canal could be 20% or 50% of the cost.
- The Annual Maximum- The most your dental plan will cover in a single year. Beyond this point, you are responsible for 100% of your dental expenses.
How Dental Insurance Pays for Itself
If you maintain your twice-a-year preventive care appointments, your dental insurance pays for itself. If you need any additional dental care, you will see the benefits and value of having a plan.
To better understand, we will start with a monthly premium. If you pay $40 a month, that equals $480 per year.
With these premiums, you usually get two checkups covered at 100%. Without insurance, these two visits alone will cost between $400 and $500 out of pocket. The value of dental insurance does not stop there because most plans cover a share of the cost of other dental procedures.
Dental insurance can indeed prevent advanced dental care. Regular preventive checkups will help keep your teeth and gums healthy, minimizing the risk of developing serious issues that will be expensive to treat. Your oral health is connected to your overall health, so your dentist might be the first to identify other health conditions.
Reach out to learn more about the insurance options we offer.