Despite its name, cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for improving the look of your smile. Many treatment options can also be used to restore your bite after damage or decay. When used for restoration needs, cosmetic dentistry in Tampa, FL, may be covered by your insurance. Each dental insurance is different, and you’ll likely only get partial coverage if you get any coverage at all. Your dentist can help you submit a pre-authorization before treatment to see if you can get financial reimbursement for your procedure.
Times Insurance May Cover Cosmetic Dentistry in Tampa, FL
When your dentist submits a claim to your insurance, they’ll include any notes or x-rays needed to help get approval. If your cosmetic treatment was used to help restore damage or decay, you may be able to get coverage for treatment. As long as your dentist can prove that cosmetic treatment was used restoratively, there’s a higher chance you’ll get at least partial coverage. Your dentist can help you look up your coverage options to see what you could expect to receive from insurance.
Restoring Damage and Decay
Some of the most common cosmetic treatments include tooth bonding and porcelain veneers. These versatile treatment options can fix a variety of issues, such as:
- Discoloration and staining
- Misshapen teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Minor chips and fractures
- Shortened teeth
When used to restore damage or fix malocclusion, bonding and veneers may be eligible for insurance reimbursement. However, coverage only applies to the specific treatment needed for restoration. For example, say you were going to get veneers to fix fractures in your two front teeth caused by a sports injury. You may decide to get a full set of veneers to even out your smile. However, you would only be eligible for potential insurance coverage on the two veneers that fixed the fractures. You would likely have to pay for the rest out-of-pocket.
Fixing Malocclusion
Some cosmetic treatment options can help improve the look of your smile while also straightening your teeth and fixing your bite. Treatments such as Invisalign can provide crucial orthodontic treatment to patients with crowded or spread-out teeth. However, insurance can be tricky when it comes to orthodontics. Many insurance companies stop coverage for orthodontic treatment once the patient is over a certain age (usually 18 or 21). However, you may still be able to receive partial coverage for treatment through your dental insurance.
At Historic Hyde Park Dentistry, we believe every patient deserves a smile they can be proud of. We’ll work with you and your dental insurance company to help you get the financial coverage you need to seek the treatment you desire. Call us today at 813-733-6981 to schedule a consultation and learn more about our cosmetic dentistry options.