Dental insurance can be a great way to help make necessary oral healthcare more affordable, and getting the treatments you need sooner can be the best way to get the most out of the coverage you pay for. If you’ve been waiting to get a needed root canal, having the procedure performed before your benefits expire for the year can help you maximize your insurance benefits while preventing serious oral health issues. Here’s a quick look at why it may be best to receive a needed root canal before your insurance resets.
How Do Dental Insurance Benefits Work?
Dental insurance benefits are generally designed to encourage policyholders to receive preventive care that can make restorative work unnecessary, which helps keep rates low and patients healthy. However, most plans offer at least partial coverage for needed restorative treatments. Your policy probably works a lot like this:
- 100% coverage for preventive care like checkups, cleanings, and X-rays.
- 50% to 80% coverage for restorative work like gum disease treatment, fillings, dental restorations, and root canals.
- No coverage for medically unnecessary elective procedures such as most cosmetic dental treatments.
Your policy may also impose restrictions like a yearly maximum that defines how much money it can pay in a year, a waiting period before benefits take effect, or a deductible that must be met before coverage can begin. Receiving a root canal sooner can be an excellent way to reach your deductible or get more out of your benefits before they reset for the year.
How Do Root Canals Work?
Root canal treatment is a common and effective way to address advanced dental infections, and it is always rendered completely painless with anesthetics. When the patient is suitably numb, their dentist will carefully remove the infected material from the tooth, access its interior, clear out the damaged pulp tissue, and sanitize, fill, and seal its inner chamber. Most patients who receive root canals will also receive dental crowns to restore the appearance and function of their tooth.
Addressing an advanced dental infection with a root canal can bring an immediate end to an agonizing toothache and help prevent new infections that can cause further damage. This can also help patients avoid having to pay for more restorative treatments, which can save them much money in the long run.
Don’t let an untreated dental infection cause you misery and destroy your teeth. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to preserve your oral health while making the most of your insurance policy.
About the Author
Dr. Robert A. Whitmore earned his dental degree at the Baylor School of Dentistry and is an active board member of Dental Health Arlington, a non-profit that helps low-income residents receive necessary oral healthcare and the education they need to protect their smiles. His office in Arlington offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as root canal services. If you are experiencing a toothache, please contact his practice on the web or dial (817) 468-1212.