Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the aesthetics and appearance of your smile rather than oral health and function. Common procedures include teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental crowns, and dental implants. While these treatments aim to create a more appealing smile, most dental insurance plans classify them as elective rather than medically necessary. This guide will demystify what cosmetic treatments typical Hallandale dental plans cover and equip you to make informed decisions about financing options. We'll explore:
- Types of cosmetic procedures
- Insurance coverage limitations
- When procedures may be covered
- Available financing options
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses a range of treatments aimed at improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. Common procedures Hallandale dentists perform include:
Teeth Whitening
Over time, foods, drinks, and habits like smoking can stain teeth and dull your smile's brightness. Teeth whitening is the most popular way to combat discoloration:
- In-office bleaching uses higher concentrate peroxides and takes about an hour. Cost ranges from $300-500.
- At-home whitening involves wearing custom trays with bleaching gel for a few hours daily. Takes 1-2 weeks and costs $100-800.
| Type | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| In-Office | 1 hour | $300-$500 |
| At-Home | 1-2 weeks | $100-$800 |
Dental Veneers
Thin shells bonded to front tooth surfaces to conceal chips, gaps, stains, and other flaws. Two types:
- Porcelain - More durable. Require removing more natural enamel.
- Composite - Less removal needed. Affordable but less resilient.
Cost per porcelain veneer is $925-$2,500 in the Hallandale area.
Dental Bonding
Composite resin molded onto teeth and hardened with UV light. Mainly corrects chips, cracks, decay, and discoloration. Costs approximately $300-$600 per tooth.
Dental Crowns
Caps placed over damaged teeth to strengthen them, including after injuries, decay, and extensive repairs. Hallandale costs range from $800-$3,000 per crown. Can have cosmetic purposes like covering discoloration.
Inlays and Onlays
Indirect fillings used instead of metal amalgam fillings for structural repairs and to fill cavities too large for typical filings. Cost is $650-$1,500 per inlay or onlay. Preserve more natural tooth but are more extensive.
Most Hallandale dental insurance plans help pay for essential diagnostic, preventative, basic, and major restorative care. But what about cosmetic dentistry procedures that aim to improve aesthetics rather than oral health? Here’s a breakdown:
Diagnostic & Preventative Care
Nearly all dental plans provide at least some coverage for:
- Oral exams & x-rays
- Teeth cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Sealants
These diagnostic and preventative services have some cosmetic benefit by spotting underlying issues before they become severe. But insurance doesn’t cover strictly aesthetic treatments.
Basic Restorative Care
Over 90% of Hallandale dental plans help pay for:
- Metal or tooth-colored fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Basic dental surgery
Fillings and extractions can incidentally enhance appearance but still focus on restoring health and function.
Major Restorative Care
Many local plans provide partial coverage for:
- Dental crowns
- Bridges
- Dentures
| Procedure | Typical Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|
| Crowns | 40-50% |
| Bridges | 40-50% |
| Dentures | 50-75% |
These major restorations aim to replace missing teeth but do offer cosmetic benefits. However, coverage still leaves hefty out-of-pocket costs.
While primarily elective, certain circumstances may lead to dental insurance covering some cosmetic dentistry costs. Situations where patients may receive coverage include:
Corrective Needs
If misaligned, uneven, crowded, or protruding teeth impair oral health, repairs qualify as medically necessary. These corrective treatments also boost aesthetics:
- Orthodontics like Invisalign or traditional braces
- Dental implants to replace missing teeth
- Complex tooth extractions/surgeries for problematic wisdom teeth
Plans usually cover 50-75% of corrective treatment costs when deemed medically essential.
Injury-Related Repairs
Restoring injured or damaged teeth falls under dental insurance when accident-related. This includes:
- Chipped or cracked tooth repairs
- Dental crowns and veneers
- Replacing knocked-out teeth
Submit the accident details and your dentist's treatment plan for the best chance of coverage.
Supplemental Dental Coverage
Some Hallandale employers offer enhanced policies covering more elective treatments or reduced cost-sharing for:
- Dental crowns
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Dental implants
| Procedure | Enhanced Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|
| Crowns | 50-75% |
| Whitening | 20-50% |
| Veneers | 20-50% |
| Implants | 50% |
Check if your workplace provides supplemental dental plans with expanded cosmetic dentistry options.
FAQ
Figuring out what your Hallandale dental insurance plan actually covers for cosmetic procedures can be confusing. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Does insurance cover teeth whitening treatments?
In most cases, no – teeth whitening is considered an elective cosmetic treatment by insurance providers. Basic plans do not include bleaching benefits. However, some supplemental or enhanced policies offer whitening discounts from in-network dentists.
What percentage of dental veneers does insurance cover?
Dental veneers fall under cosmetic rather than restorative treatment. Traditional policies rarely cover veneers unless part of injury-related repairs. Upper-tier plans may cover 20-50%, often upon medical necessity review. Still, significant out-of-pocket costs for veneers.
Can I get dental bonding covered by my dental insurance?
Insurance is unlikely to pay anything towards strictly cosmetic bonding procedures. However, plans may cover around 50% of bonding costs to repair decayed, fractured, or chipped tooth surfaces. Submit details on the medical necessity rather than aesthetic benefits to apply for coverage consideration.
Are full dental implants covered by medical or dental insurance?
The implant post, connector, and crown may be covered but often split between medical and dental insurance. Medical insurers could cover 50-75% of the implant device itself. Dental pays towards the crown for chewing efficiency. Expect to pay $500-$1,500+ out-of-pocket for a single tooth implant on average.
Do dental crowns qualify as cosmetic dentistry?
While crowns reinforce weak, cracked, or damaged teeth, they also happen to improve appearance by correcting flaws. Most Hallandale dental plans cover 40-50% of crowns needed after serious decay or trauma – essentially medically required ones. Strictly aesthetic crowns would be elective treatments that policies don’t cover.
About Our Dental Practice: Your Best Cosmetic Dentistry in Hallandale Area
Svetlana Dental and Esthetic Center in Miami specializes in affordable effective cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers. They use the latest techniques and technology to transform smiles. We are the best cosmetic dentistry in Hallandale that will give you the smile you deserve.
Services included:
- Cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants and crowns to improve appearance.
- Full mouth reconstruction to completely rehabilitate and reshape teeth entire mouth
- Treatment planning and smile makeovers to align and reshape teeth for an enhanced smile
- General and specialist dental care using cutting-edge equipment
Dr. Anokhina Svetlana, helps patients achieve natural looking, healthy smiles affordably in Miami. For exceptional dental service, and five-star patient experiences in Miami Hallandale, FL, choose our dental office. Call today to schedule your consultation!
