Cosmetic dental treatments are designed to improve your appearance and boost your confidence. Sadly, they are costly and unaffordable for most people who wish to enhance their appearance and feelings. However, it helps to know that insurance companies cover the cost of some of these dental procedures. If you have health insurance, you can enjoy an improved facial and dental look without paying anything from your pockets. You only need to identify a competent dentist in cosmetic dentistry to diagnose and recommend the best procedure for your specific issue. They will guide you into making an informed decision and filing a claim for payment from your insurance provider.

Cosmetic Dental Procedures Your Insurance Can Cover

Cosmetic dentistry changes how your teeth, gums, and other structures within your mouth appear to improve your general appearance and boost your self-esteem. It is a branch of dentistry whose primary focus is your appearance, not your dental problems or those you could have. Thus, you can seek the help of a cosmetic dentist even without experiencing any dental or oral-related symptoms like pain and sensitivity. However, dentists sometimes recommend cosmetic dentistry treatments when you have a particular dental problem or to prevent a dental problem.

Here are the dental procedures that cosmetic dentists mainly perform:

  • Installation of dental implants
  • Composite bonding
  • Teeth whitening
  • Installation of dental veneers
  • Dental crowns
  • Onlays and Inlays
  • Teeth reshaping
  • Installation of dental bridges
  • Bite reclamation
  • Teeth straightening or alignment
  • Installation of dental braces
  • Invisalign

Generally, insurance companies do not cover cosmetic dental treatments, especially those designed to improve your appearance. However, some insurance companies cover some of these procedures, primarily those that are medical-related. Even though you cannot seek coverage for a procedure purely intended to improve your facial appearance, your insurer can pay for cosmetic procedures that provide a medical benefit.

For example, suppose you need a cosmetic dental treatment due to a problem you incurred in an accident. In that case, your insurer can agree to cover part of the cost if the procedure is part of your required medical treatment. Here are some procedures that your insurance company can cover:

Installation of Dental Implants

Although dental implants are considered cosmetic, they are one of the ways dentists replace missing or severely decayed teeth. They are a permanent installation that can serve you for years with proper care and maintenance. The treatment involves installing an artificial tooth on an implant (the dentist first infuses an implant, a material resembling a bone, into your jaw). The implant supports the artificial tooth's appearance and functions like a natural tooth. Since dental implants are usually permanent, removing them for cleaning after every meal is unnecessary. They are also easy to clean.

If your dentist suggests dental implants as a solution for your damaged or missing teeth, you have two options. Endosteal dental implants are the more common of the two. The installation of endosteal implants involves a direct infusion of the implant into your jawbone by creating a hole in it. However, your dentist will recommend subperiosteal implants if the jawbone is shallow or weak and cannot support the implant. The dentist installs this type of implant on the jawbone. The two types of implants are suitable and offer the same degree of support.

Your dentist will recommend dental implants if you have a problem that implants can fix and have strong jawbones and healthy gums. If you have low jawbone density, your dentist can rebuild it to ensure it is strong enough to support the implant. However, some medical conditions can affect your suitability for this treatment. For example, if you have leukemia or diabetes, your dentist can recommend against implants because these conditions can slow your healing process. Your dentist will also advise you against unhealthy habits like smoking that could affect your healing process.

The installation of dental implants costs a lot. Charges range from $1,500 to $7,500; insurance coverage is needed. Most insurance providers are hesitant to cover expenses like those. However, if you prove the procedure has preventive benefits, your insurer can consider covering part of the costs or the entire payment.

For example, dental implants can protect the exposed gums from an infection that can spread to your teeth.

Installation of Dental Fillings

A dental filling is a material dentists use to fill a cavity. The filling restores the structure and functionality of a decayed tooth and prevents further decay. When a cavity affects your tooth, it develops a hole, which worsens as the decay progresses. Some teeth develop a cavity after trauma. The affected tooth cannot function like your other tooth because its structure and strength have been impacted. That is why dentists offer solutions like dental fillings to restore appearance, strength, and functionality. Additionally, the filling protects the cavity from becoming infected, which can spread to the tooth’s roots and the adjacent teeth.

Your dentist will recommend a dental filling once your teeth develop a cavity. It helps treat the cavity at its onset, as it can become more expensive once it affects much of the tooth’s structure or spreads to its pulp. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell when you have a cavity, especially if it is small. However, your dentist can conduct a dental exam for regular checkups when you visit their office. You should also visit your dentist if you experience symptoms like sensitivity or toothache. The dentist will consider the extent of the cavity to recommend the most ideal treatment.

If you need a dental filling, your dentist will explain your options for a more informed decision-making. Your preference depends on the overall costs, what your insurer will cover, and the aesthetics. The different types of dental fillings include the following:

  1. Amalgam Fillings

This is a trendy and durable option for your back teeth. The amalgam filling is made from various metallic elements, which make it visible after installation. That is why it is recommended mainly for the back teeth. However, it is inexpensive and long-lasting.

  1. Composite Fillings

These are made from a combination of glass and quartz, which makes them easy to match with your natural teeth. Since they are practically invisible, you can choose them for your front teeth. However, they are less solid and longer-lasting than amalgam fillings. That is why they are best for teeth with less chewing, like canines and incisors.

  1. Metal Fillings

You can choose silver or gold fillings, which are commonly used for dental fillings. Gold is expensive, but metal fillings are generally solid and long-lasting.

  1. Ceramic Fillings

These are colored tooth-filling materials that are preferred for their reduced likelihood of staining. However, they are pretty expensive.

Generally, dental fillings are expensive. You can pay up to $150 for amalgam fillings and $4500 for a gold-cast dental filling. Even though the costs are high, most insurance companies cover these payments because they are preventive procedures. Remember that you need a dental filling to prevent further damage to the tooth and the spread of infection to the tooth’s pulp and adjacent teeth. However, you should first talk to your insurance provider to determine the type of dental fillings covered by your policy.

Root Canal Therapy

 Root canal therapy is needed if your tooth's pulp or underlying structures are infected. That can happen when you have a cavity, a crack, or any other damage to your tooth. A harmful bacteria can grow in the cavity or structure since it is a hard-to-reach area during regular brushing and flossing. Once the infection develops, it spreads quickly to the tooth’s underlying structures, infecting its pulp. Root canal therapy involves the removal of the infected pulp to stop the infection and protect the remaining tooth.

A tooth infection becomes very painful. You could also experience sensitivity, swollen gums, and difficulty chewing on that side of the tooth. Dentists recommend immediate consultations after you experience these symptoms. After examining your tooth, gums, and underlying structures, your dentist will recommend immediate removal of the infected pulp to manage the symptoms and stop the infection.

Root canal therapy is an invasive dental procedure. This means that it involves a lot of processes, can take some time, and is expensive. The cost and length of the procedure will depend on how difficult it will be for the dentist to remove the infected nerves and vessels. The cost of treating one tooth can go up to $250.

Root canal therapy is a preventive treatment. It protects the affected tooth and adjacent teeth and prevents the infection from spreading to the rest of your body. This makes it eligible for insurance coverage. It helps to consult your dentist and insurance provider first to determine whether your policy covers your treatment.

The Installation of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are installed on damaged teeth to restore their shape and size. The cap-like crowns are cemented on top of natural teeth, covering the affected teeth to prevent further damage. Here are some of the reasons the dentist will recommend dental crowns for you:

  • To protect the affected tooth after root canal therapy
  • To cover a tooth after installing a large dental filling
  • To protect a damaged tooth against further damage
  • To treat cracked teeth syndrome
  • To cover a dental implant

If you are the right candidate for dental crowns, your dentist will discuss your four options to enable you to make an informed decision. Your selection depends on the underlying problem, the extent of damage to your tooth, and your dentist’s recommendation. The different types of dental crowns are made out of various materials. The materials include porcelain, base metal, ceramic, and gold.

Once you choose the type of dental crown, your dentist will discuss the installation process and costs. Typically, the installation costs depend on the type of dental crown you are having. A single resin dental crown can cost $330 on average. Base metal crowns are more expensive. Fortunately, your insurance provider can cover the cost. Remember that insurance providers mainly cover cosmetic procedures that provide preventive benefits, like dental crowns. However, it helps to consult with your provider and dentist before undergoing the procedure.

Installation of Dental Veneers

Veneers are typically ceramic shells customized to appear and fit on your natural teeth. They adhere to a tooth’s surface to improve its structure and appearance. Veneers can serve you for many years if well taken care of. The ceramic material they are made of can be customized to appear just like your natural teeth.

Dental veneers are mainly used for beauty purposes, such as improving the appearance of natural teeth. However, dentists use them for preventive purposes, too. For example, they can protect your teeth from chipping and cracking, which results in tooth decay. Your dentist will examine your teeth and discuss other options before recommending veneers. Here are some of the reasons your dentist will recommend dental veneers for you:

  • If you have suffered from gum disease,
  • If you habitually clench or grind your teeth,
  • You have suffered significant damage to one or more teeth
  • If you have severely crowded teeth,
  • When you have excess cavities or suffer from poor oral hygiene,

Typically, dental veneers are cheaper than other cosmetic dental treatments. However, they could be unaffordable for some people needing preventive benefits. The cost of a traditional veneer ranges between $925 and $2,500. Although veneers are generally not paid for by insurance companies, your insurer can provide monetary assistance if you need them for preventive benefits.

Find a Competent Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

If you need to improve the appearance of your teeth or gums in Northridge, a cosmetic dentist is the right person to talk to. You must be prepared to pay the total cost of your preferred dental procedure since insurance companies do not cover most of them. However, your insurer can make an exception if your dentist recommends a cosmetic dental procedure as part of your preventive treatment. You must discuss it with your insurer first to determine their willingness to cover the costs before treatment.

We offer some cosmetic dental treatments financed by insurance companies at Northridge Advanced Dentistry. We can help you understand your options for easier decision-making. Call us at 818-701-3010 to learn more about how our services benefit oral health and well-being.