If you’re looking for total peace of mind when it comes to your oral health, full coverage dental insurance could be the best option. We explore the ins and outs of full coverage dental plans, including the procedures that they cover, the limitations of these types of plans and the benefits that they provide to the people who purchase them:
What is full coverage dental insurance?
Full coverage dental insurance provides coverage for all categories of dental procedures, including preventative, basic and major care. Many dental insurance plans provide full coverage, but this is not always guaranteed, so make sure you know the full extent of your plan’s coverage when you sign up.
What procedures does it cover?
The procedures covered by any full coverage dental insurance plan vary from provider to provider. Given that all plans offer slightly different coverage, it’s important that the procedures you predict you may need are included in your plan. Most companies will offer relatively similar coverage:
- Preventative procedures are intended to keep you from experiencing more serious dental issues in the future. The types of procedures included in this category of dental care are cleanings, routine exams, x-rays and fluoride treatments.
- Basic procedures are relatively straightforward and aim to treat minor issues with your oral health. They include routine tooth extractions, fillings, and non-routine x-rays.
- Major procedures are the most serious type of dental treatments. Dentures, complex oral surgeries, complicated tooth extractions and root canals are all considered to be major procedures.
Do they cover braces or cosmetic dental procedures?
Typically, full coverage dental insurance doesn’t cover either braces or cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers, teeth whitening and implants. However, there are specialist types of dental insurance plans which provide coverage for these types of procedures, so they might be worth investing in if you think you’re likely to need either orthodontic or cosmetic dental care. While there are some full coverage dental insurance plans which do provide coverage for more specialized treatments, you’ll likely struggle to find a plan which covers these without also boasting a large price tag.
What else isn’t covered?
Even though it’s called a full coverage dental plan, do not assume all your dental needs are going to be met, as all plans have exclusions and limitations. Generally, there will be a limitation on the number of cleanings which you can receive every year, while certain procedures might not be covered. For your peace of mind, make sure you check the small print of any full coverage dental plan before you sign up.
How much money can I save?
You’ll make the most savings on preventative procedures, as 100% of the cost is typically covered by a dental insurance plan. You’ll still receive substantial savings on basic and major procedures. Normally, 80% of the cost of basic procedures and 50% of the cost of major procedures are covered by your dental insurance plan.
What do I have to pay?
Depending on which type of full coverage plan you have (PPO, DHMO, Indemnity, etc.) you’ll have to pay either a co-payment, co-insurance or a set dollar amount towards the cost of your dental care.
What are the benefits of this type of insurance?
Full coverage dental plans are popular because of the multiple benefits offered for common dental procedures. You can save money on all types of dental care, including both simple and complex procedures. Whether you need coverage for root canals or routine cleanings, full coverage dental insurance is often an excellent choice.
Is it the right type of dental insurance for me?
If you want to ensure that you’re fully covered for all eventualities, full coverage dental insurance is the best way to be fully protected when it comes to your oral health care.