Dental Insurance Understanding What Dental Services Are Covered

Dental work can be expensive, and a number of different procedures are available to repair damaged teeth. But it is possible to avoid a lot of these costs by taking good care of your oral health and catching problems early with preventive services like routine cleanings. There are also options for people who do not have insurance to help cover these expenses, including community health centers that provide free or low-cost dental care. And for those who do have insurance, it is worth understanding how your dental plan classifies certain types of work so you can better determine if a given procedure will be covered.

West Hills Dentist break down services into three categories: Preventive, Basic, and Major. Generally, the more basic the procedure, the less your insurer will pay for it. Preventive services include things like cleanings and x-rays. In most cases, these are completely or almost entirely covered by dental insurance plans.

Basic services usually include fillings, inlays, and onlays, and other restorative care. These are typically covered by most dental insurance plans up to a certain dollar amount, which may or may not include a deductible. However, some plans do not have a deductible at all for these services.

A tooth crack can be very painful and requires urgent attention. In some cases, a crack can lead to the formation of a split tooth, which cannot be saved and must be removed. A root canal is a specialized treatment to remove bacteria from the inside of the tooth and prevent infection. During this process, the dentist will clean and disinfect the canals, then fill them with a rubber-like material called gutta percha, and seal the tooth to keep bacteria from entering again.

West Hills Dentist are primarily focused on making your smile look healthier and more attractive. This can be accomplished with various treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding. Dental implants are another common cosmetic dental service that is used to replace missing teeth.

It is important to know what type of procedure you are going to have before scheduling an appointment. This way you can make sure that your dental plan covers the expense and avoid any surprises at the time of the procedure. To do this, you can check the specific definitions within your own dental insurance plan or contact your dentist's office to ask for a predetermination form. This is a form that your dentist will send to your insurance company with detailed information about the proposed treatment and why it should be classified as either a Basic or Major procedure. This form will then be reviewed by your insurance provider and they will provide you with a written response detailing the specifics of your coverage. You may be required to pay a copayment for some procedures that are classified as "Major" services.