Does Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry?
Interested in improving your smile’s appearance, but not sure what it’ll cost you (or if your insurance will cover it)?
Don’t worry. We’ll walk you through some valuable insight into common cosmetic dental treatments, their prices, and situations where insurance may (or may not) cover them.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance and esthetics of your smile.
Unlike treatments that focus on restoring the function and physical comfort of your smile (such as fillings, implants, braces, and root canals), cosmetic dental treatments are meant to improve a patient’s smile, confidence, and image.
As such, these treatments are known as “elective” (optional) treatments, although they can still be immensely beneficial for the emotional well-being of a patient.
What Is the Difference between Cosmetic and General Dentistry?
General dentistry is the primary form of dental care. This covers preventative care, like teeth cleanings, and restorative dental care, such as dental fillings, crowns, and bridges.
However, cosmetic dentistry, as mentioned above, focuses on your smile and improving the appearance of your teeth and gums.
To discover more about our cosmetic dentistry services, click here.
How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost?
Costs vary by practice, treatment method, and the exact condition of your teeth, but here’s an idea of what to expect for common cosmetic treatments:
Teeth Whitening – Professional teeth whitening can dramatically and safely lighten the shade of your teeth and brighten your smile in mere minutes. Costs typically range between $600 for an in-office method to around $1,000 for a laser method.
Dental Bonding – Dental bonding involves the application of a natural-colored composite resin. This material covers and conceals cracks, discoloration, and other cosmetic imperfections. Typical costs range from $100 to $400 per tooth but vary on a case-by-case basis.
Porcelain Veneers – Veneers are thin, strong shells that adhere to the front surfaces of your teeth, and are available in a variety of materials. Prices start from $250 for composite and from $900 for full porcelain veneers (per tooth). Veneers can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth with very little dental work and enamel removal, hence they’re particularly popular.
Tooth Contouring – This procedure removes small amounts of enamel to change the shape of your teeth. The cost is between $50 and $300 per tooth.
Gum Contouring – During gum contouring, your dentist removes excess gum tissue and reshapes your gum line for a more symmetrical, balanced appearance. Prices range between $50 and $350 per tooth.
For more accurate prices and information about our cosmetic dentistry treatments, contact us today.
Does Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dental Treatments?
Dental insurance usually won’t cover cosmetic dentistry procedures that have absolutely no medical necessity (for example, teeth whitening).
However, many treatments can be considered medically valuable while also improving the appearance of your smile (such as dental implants, chipped tooth repairs, etc.).
Dental insurance considers a procedure restorative if:
- It is necessary due to decay or disease
- It’s part of your treatment for an accident or injury
- It replaces missing teeth or alters the patient’s bite in a significant way
A procedure qualifies as cosmetic or elective if:
- It is solely for enhancing the aesthetics of the patient’s smile
- The tooth or tissue is not injured, impaired, or decayed
- There is no medically necessary reason for performing the procedure
How Much Will Insurance Cover for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic procedures can sometimes be covered by up to 50% of the total cost. However, there has to be an established medical benefit for the procedure supporting the aesthetic benefit.
Benca Dentistry can help you keep the cost of your procedures low, even if insurance won’t cover your treatment. Speak to us to work out your best options.
Or:
- Call us at 206-575-1173
- Email us at info@bencadds.com
Our office is located in Tukwila, WA…Open a new window to get directions…. We happily welcome patients from all over, including Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, and Newcastle, WA.
