A Cosmetic Dentist in Torrance Discusses Dental Insurance for Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are fortunate to have dental insurance, then you should want to get the maximum available for the premiums you pay. However, the insurance companies draw a fine line between what dental procedures are covered and which ones are not. Take a service performed by a cosmetic dentist in Torrance, for instance. A purely cosmetic procedure such as teeth whitening is almost never covered. But what if you’re having a cosmetic procedure as part of an overall restorative treatment plan? Then, you may have partial coverage. Read on to learn more.

Is It Elective or Medically Necessary?

Insurance companies make a distinction between dental services that are elective or strictly cosmetic and those that are medically necessary.

An elective procedure is one that you choose to have, but is not necessary for medical reasons. As mentioned earlier, teeth whitening is one that is purely cosmetic. Whiter teeth are nice, but they do not affect your oral health.

An example of a dental procedure that is medically necessary would be a filling to restore a decayed tooth or a dental crown to repair a broken tooth. Without proper treatment, either one of these can lead to deterioration of your oral health.

Are Your Having a Cosmetic Procedure to Restore Your Smile?

There are some cases in which a patient needs dental care that has both a cosmetic and restorative component. For example, what if you need a crown to support a tooth weakened by severe decay or to prevent a cracked tooth from splitting? In these situations, a crown—which some insurance companies consider a cosmetic treatment—would be covered, because it is medically necessary.

Have You Checked with Your Dental Insurance Company?

Read the fine print of your dental insurance coverage and call customer service. They’ll be glad to help you understand the details of your policy.

Work with your insurance to get your treatment pre-authorized. This estimate will tell you what portion of a procedure your insurance will pay for and what portion you will be responsible for paying.

Of course, you can always call your dentist in Torrance to help you understand your dental insurance. They are accustomed to working with many providers and will be glad to help.

MEET THE PRACTICE

The Blue Coast Dental Group offers comprehensive dental services from the comfort of a state-of-the-art office. If you are interested in learning more about our dental services in Torrance or finding out how you can benefit from a cosmetic treatment, then please contact the office at 310-626-4034.