Dental Insurance Articles
3 Misconceptions About Standard Dental Care Terms
2010-12-03
When you are shopping for a dental insurance quote, it is important to understand what all of the dental care terms mentioned in each quote really mean. Since dental insurance does not cover comprehensive dental treatments the way that health insurance covers doctor visits, you have to do a little more research to make sure you are choosing the dental insurance that is right for you. Most dental insurance quote comparisons include detailed lists of the dental care that is covered by each different policy. Some of the most common misconceptions deal with sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontic procedures.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry simply refers to the type of anesthetic a dentist provides for his or her patient prior to a dental procedure. Many people believe that the sedation only includes laughing gas. The truth is, sedation dentistry can include mild sedatives and local anesthetics as well as traditional laughing gas treatments. If you want to make sure your dental insurance quote includes coverage for sedation dentistry, look for coverage options under the list of anesthetics in your quote. Many insurance companies cover sedation without any special qualifications. If you are still unsure, contact an insurance agent and ask about sedation dentistry directly.
Cosmetic Dentistry
It can be easy to confuse some forms of cosmetic dentistry with regular health-related dentistry. There are many similar procedures performed in both types of dental work. The main difference is that cosmetic dentistry is performed for no reason other than to improve the look of a person's teeth. If someone chooses to have a tooth capped because they want the tooth to match the rest of his or her teeth, the procedure is cosmetic. If someone needs to have a tooth capped because the original tooth is too decayed, the procedure is not cosmetic. Most insurance companies will cover non-cosmetic dental treatments. They will not, however, cover cosmetic treatments. That is why it is important to understand the distinction between the two types of services and the dental care terms that are used to describe each service specifically.
Orthodontics
Most people think of braces when they think of orthodontics. The truth is, orthodontics covers a wide range of dental treatment. Any procedure that is designed to realign the teeth or the jaw is considered orthodontic work. An orthodontist may prescribe braces, spacers, lip and cheek bumpers, or any number of appliances that help shift the teeth and jaw into a more natural position. Orthodontics may not be mentioned in a standard dental insurance quote. It is usually necessary to purchase additional orthodontic insurance. It is important to understand that orthodontics is a dental care term that applies to many different procedures.