Patients may feel frustrated when they want to have their smiles improved by a Cosmetic Dentist in Fargo ND but find out they need some fundamental treatment completed first. Cavities must be filled and gum disease resolved before cosmetic improvements can be done. Otherwise, those problems will worsen and certain cosmetic treatments may be unsuccessful.
Getting Essential Work Completed First
For example, a Cosmetic Dentist in Fargo ND will not apply veneers to the front of teeth if gum disease is present. If the gum problems worsen, the tissue will pull away from the teeth and the veneer edges will become obvious. That does not look attractive, and the person will be very dissatisfied.
Dental insurance typically pays for an oral exam, X-rays, and necessary treatments, so patients with this coverage will not have to pay for it out of pocket. They can have all that work done before they begin cosmetic improvements. But, coverage for cosmetic treatments can be a different story.
A Common Misconception
It’s a common misconception that no cosmetic treatments are covered by any form of dental insurance. Most policies do not provide this coverage, but some plans are available that offer discounts on cosmetic procedures. Some options may be excluded, so it’s important for consumers looking for dental insurance to read the details. For instance, a policy may exclude whitening but provide discounts for veneers, crowns, and implants. The amount of the discount varies widely by policy, generally ranging from 15 to 60 percent.
Policies That Cover Cosmetic Enhancements
Some of these plans are specific discount policies whereas others are premier general dental plans from well-known insurance companies. The premier plans may cover around 50 percent of implants and certain other cosmetic treatments at a clinic such as Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, but premiums and discounts both are higher than normal. The consumer will need to weigh the probable cost of cosmetic choices against the price of the premiums.
There also are policies available in limited networks of dental clinics. Consumers who want a broader range of options for their dental care, whether essential or elective, may not find these policies to be satisfactory.
