What Dental Treatments are Covered Under Insurance?

Often, it is asked by our patients whether particular dental treatment will be covered under dental insurance or not or kind of surgery or procedures their insurance provide security of. Other than basic diagnosis and minor treatment, major dental treatments like root canal, jaw and neck surgery, braces and periodontal treatments are bit expensive and it is necessary to be aware of price and actual coverage under medical insurance, before proceeding. 

 

Furthermore, modern lifestyle, not consuming food that contains calcium, vitamins and minerals creates different problems in today’s generation even following good habits of brushing on a daily basis. One may need to undergo through various dental treatment or surgery which are expensive and having dental insurance and the right information is necessary at the time of enrolling with any insurance firm. 

In this post, we have tried to explain some basic procedures and connection to these procedures with dental insurance. So, it becomes easier for you to select the right insurance plan and understanding the benefits covered under that plan. 

Preventive Dental Care: 

Most of the insurance companies provide coverage for routine checkup and dental cleaning in their insurance plan. So, you can have a free check up and cleaning at certain interval of time in a year, as specified in your dental insurance plan. 

Apart from that, pre-formalities like examining the fluoride level and x-ray sealants aren’t considered as preventive measure and may not get covered under insurance. 

Certain companies also have partnered with specific dental care centers and hospitals, you also need to check whether there is a center located nearby your suburb or not. 

Treatments for Tooth Restoration:  

When your tooth is damaged heavily due to decay or any other condition which requires treatments like root canal, wisdom tooth removal, tooth extraction or dental fillings for its restoration, it is majorly covered under an insurance plan. 

Most of the insurance plans are divided in two types, general/preventive dentistry and major dental surgery. So, according to your plan, various procedures may or may not get covered. 

One thing should be noted, in certain plan, the consulting cost with the dentist or surgeon may get covered by your insurance but the additional cost of crown, filling material or denture may or may not get covered. So, need to ask insurance customer support or agent for the same. 

Generally, to cover the surgeries like dental implant, crown and bridge treatment for multiple teeth, partial or full dentures are considered as a major tooth restoration treatment and aren’t covered under the basic insurance plan. You need to consult with your agent and collect precise and complete information about all these situations and the scenario. 

Orthodontic Care: 

Treatment for orthodontic braces costs 5000-10,000 $ or more depending on the type of braces and technology used along with performing basic dental procedures. 

Certain insurance provider also considers braces under cosmetic treatment and isn’t covered under the basic insurance plan. 

Gum Disease Treatment: 

Basic procedures for conditions like plaque, gingivitis or gum infections are covered by insurance. Albeit, you may need to pay extra in conditions like laser treatment or gum regeneration procedure. Basic plan may just cover the consulting fees and one may need to pay extra for additional major treatment. 

Cosmetic Treatment: 

Cosmetic treatment like teeth whitening, laser treatment, veneers, crown, dental implant (in certain condition) and all other procedures which are meant to improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, aren’t covered under the basic insurance plan. 

While buying insurance for a specific procedure or knowing whether your health insurance policy covers the cost for specific dental treatment or not, it is recommended to consult your dentist to have precise information of cost coverage or discuss with your dentist which is the right plan for you as per your need.

Fluoride Treatment - Why, When And How?

Fluoride, a type of mineral, is found in several foods and water naturally. Each day, some types of minerals are added to and eroded from our tooth's enamel – the top layer of our teeth. This process of gaining and losing minerals is called remineralization and demineralization. Minerals like fluoride, phosphate and calcium are remineralized to the enamel through various foods and water ingested. If both the process does not reciprocate in the same quantity it leads to oral issue. 

Why Fluoride is Necessary 

Fluoride prevents tooth decay by consolidating the tooth to resist acid attacks from sugar and plaque bacteria. It also slows down the process of decay. It is suggested that in children within 6 years of age, fluoride plays a great role in the growth and development of permanent teeth and protects the teeth from the acids to demineralize it. This mineral also expedites remineralization and disrupts production of acid in growing teeth of children and already existing teeth of adults. 

Sources of Fluoride 

General dentistry products and drinking water are considered to be the most common sources of fluoride and the most effective and instant source of this mineral is available in the clinic of dental professionals. The fluoride treatment can be availed by applying a concentration of fluoride and is left on the teeth to absorb into the enamel. As per the recommendation of the Australian Dental Association the paste and gel used for brushing or rinsing stay for a short while in our mouth vis-à-vis those gels applied in a dentist’s office. 

How Fluoride Works 

Fluoride works in three phases - before, during and after application and plays multiple roles for people of various ages. When used prior to eating or drinking it inhibits specific acid and prohibits from attacking the tooth enamel. When used directly on the teeth it sits in and helps the process of remineralization. After fluoridate treatment the fluoride-containing drinking water reaches the mouth and goes down the hatch and works to offer fluoride reservoirs from the inside. 

Who Should Get a Fluoride Treatment 

Minerals and vitamins are very important for healthy bodies and are particularly imperative for the growing kids. As calcium provides strong teeth and bones, fluoride solidifies the tooth enamel. People prone to develop cavities are provided with concentrated fluoride treatments frequently, and individuals with following aspects should be the right candidate for receiving fluoride treatment dental plan: 

• Poor oral diet and hygiene 
• Prolonged cavities or any bacterial infection 
• Health conditions or illnesses influencing teeth, like wrong eating habits, diabetes, cancer, alcohol and drug abuse 
• A long gap between professional teeth exams and cleanings 
• Dry mouth 
• Exposed roots 
• Split in tooth enamel 
• A great deal of dental procedures or types of orthodontia leading to difficult to clean areas 

 How Fluoride Treatment is Performed 

When a professional fluoride treatment is due, it follows a cleaning and examination of teeth. Your teeth will be coated with a gel, foam, liquid, or paste or it can also be applied with trays having fluoride compound. After the teeth are layered, the dentist will leave the substance to stay on for a few minutes before finally rinsing it and you will be asked to spit out any excess solution without using water. After this process you will be instructed to avoid eating or drinking anything for 30 minutes or more, including water. You may feel your teeth sticky, slimy, or fuzzy as per the solution applied. You can consult with your Family Dentist to know whether you really need the treatment or after treatment benefits specific to your oral condition.  

Fluoride Treatment Results 

Fluoride treatments are quite result-oriented when fused with great oral hygiene. Thorough bushing at least two times a day, flossing regularly and eating a balanced diet high in minerals and vitamins can keep you out of the dental category risk. Some people may experience slight discomfort or irritation in gum during or post fluoride treatment, in case sensitive teeth are an issue. In majority of case the treatment is performed without any pain and discomfort. 

Risks Associated 

Fluoride is quite safe and highly effective if administered as directed; but it may lead to hazardous situations if taken high doses. The "toxic" dosage level depends on the weight of different individuals. It is suggested to the parents to carefully monitor their kids’ use of fluoride-based products and to store fluoride products out of reach of the kids, particularly children below 6 years of age. 

Apart from this, excessive dose of fluoride may lead to defects in enamels of teeth like slightly noticeable white mark or streaks or aesthetically objectionable brown spots. These are called fluorosis and are seen during the formation of teeth generally when the child is not more than 6 years. 

This tooth staining caused due to fluoride cannot be cleaned practicing normal hygiene, the dentist can help you lighten it or remove it leveraging professional abrasives or bleaches.  

Some Useful Tips

Some useful and tips about fluoride usage include:

• Keep fluoride supplements out of the reach of your young children. 
• Don’t use flavored toothpastes as these can tempt children to swallow toothpaste. 
• Give only a pea-sized quantity of fluoridated toothpaste to your children to brush their teeth. 
• Be carefully about offering fluoridated toothpaste to your children within 6 years of age as they are of the tendency to swallow toothpaste instead of spitting.

If you're expecting some high risk dental issues, a fluoride treatment is the best option in every routine cleaning and even if there is no dental issue, it is mostly expected that your dentist would recommend coating of this mineral to offer your tooth strength to combat cavities and for the oral and as a Preventive care for teeth.