insurance

Some health insurances are able to cover dental care, but not always. Health insurance is sometimes able to provide some coverage for dental work through an employer-provided plan, a self-purched plan, or a separate dental plan. You should understand what care your dental insurance covers so that you can make informed choices about oral health treatment.

Dental insurance helps pay for part or all of the costs for dental procedures that your dental plan covers and is paid for by the insurance carrier. The various costs and benefits of your coverage will vary based on what type of plan that you have. You may be restricted to certain doctors who accept your insurance or are part of your network. There are several different types of dental insurance, including HMOs, PPOs, dental savings plans, all with their own unique advantages.

Yes! Dental insurance makes necesary dental care much more affordable and is able to cover all or a significant portion of the costs of treatment. While dental insurance may not cover every single procedure or condition, it will cover things like preventative or diagnostic care such as root canals, fillings, or even major procedures like crowns and implants.

What your dental insurance covers will be determined by the specific plan you have. However, most dental insurance follows the "100-80-50" model, in which the plan will cover a percentage of the cost of a procedure depending on what it is. A common breakdown is the following:

• 100% coverage of preventative and diagnostic procedures like standard oral exams and cleanings
• 80% coverage of basic procedures like fillings and tooth extractions
• 50% coverage of major procedures like dental implants and crowns

You should check your specific plan to find out what procedures are covered and how much of the cost is covered.