If your child needs braces, the cost could worry you a bit. That’s only natural – orthodontics is known to be pricier than other kinds of oral care. You could even ask yourself, “Will dental insurance cover orthodontic treatments?” Still, the good news is that your Parsippany dentist can address this and similar concerns. Simply keep reading to learn about dental insurance, whether it covers orthodontics, and other ways to save money on treatment.
What Does Dental Insurance Normally Cover?
Before you get into orthodontics, you should review what dental plans usually cover. Doing so will help you see how and whether they’d help with braces or aligners.
Overall, dental insurance tends to cover preventive and restorative services. This coverage often follows a 100-80-50 structure, taking the form of three distinct categories:
- 100% of Preventive Care – The average dental plan offers full preventive care coverage. In other words, it’ll cover the whole cost of checkups, teeth cleanings, dental X-rays, etc.
- 80% of Basic Procedures – Many dental plans will cover 80% of a basic dental procedure’s price. Examples of such services include dental fillings, tooth extractions, and root canals.
- 50% of Major Procedures – Plenty of insurance providers cover half of a major restoration procedure. Such treatments are usually dental bridges, dental crowns, dental implants, etc.
Will It Cover Orthodontic Care?
Due to the 100-80-50 setup, dental insurance doesn’t often cover orthodontic work. Whether your plan offers coverage is pretty much up in the air.
In fact, orthodontic coverage varies from one plan to the next. While one person could be covered, someone else may get no benefits at all. It’s also hard to find coverage for adults, as many plans that cover orthodontics apply only to child patients. Still, more insurance providers have begun offering coverage for adults in recent years.
Other Ways to Save on Orthodontics
Regardless of your dental plan, you can still save money on orthodontics. Many practices now offer a wide range of helpful and unique payment options. With the right one, your child could get a straight smile without going over your budget.
Many dentists today have options like the following:
- Membership Plans – By paying a flat fee, some dental practices will provide a major discount on orthodontic treatment.
- Flexible Financing – Many dental offices work with 3rd party lenders like CareCredit. Through such groups, you could pay for orthodontic work in small monthly installments.
Dental insurance doesn’t always cover orthodontic treatments, so you’ll want to be careful. Consult your dental provider to see if benefits could apply to your kiddo’s straight grin.
About the Practice
Rauchberg Dental Group is based in Parsippany, NJ. Led by Dr. Rauchberg and his associates, our practice takes pride in offering truly comprehensive dentistry. We’re very well-equipped and able to perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as orthodontic work. Whatever ails your smile, you can trust our team to take care of it! For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (973)-718-9887.