Dental bonding, also known as direct bonding, is a fast and easy procedure that can repair or disguise a range of imperfections in teeth. It uses a durable tooth-colored resin to reshape and renew teeth. If you have an unsightly or damaged part of your smile that needs to be repaired, it is only natural to wonder if your dental insurance will cover your treatment. The answer is a solid maybe! This blog post explores factors that can influence whether or not your benefits may apply.
Is It Necessary or Purely Cosmetic?
In most cases, dental insurance will cover bonding only if the procedure is considered necessary. Of course, different companies may have differing points of view on what constitutes necessary, so it is always best to check the details of your unique insurance plan.
Generally, though, there are just a few instances wherein bonding is considered necessary. For example, tooth-colored fillings are a type of bonding that is necessary to stop small cavities from worsening. Therefore, your insurance is likely to apply. Your policy might also pay for bonding to repair a chipped or cracked tooth.
Your insurance is less likely to provide coverage if you wish to get bonding for purely cosmetic purposes. For example, you might want to close a small gap between your teeth or hide some stubborn spots of discoloration.
If you are unsure of whether your unique situation qualifies for coverage, ask your dental team if they can get preauthorization from your insurance company.
How Much Will You Have to Pay?
The price of dental bonding can vary quite a bit. On average, it runs a few hundred dollars per tooth. If your insurance considers the procedure to be necessary, it may cover up to 80% of the cost. Otherwise, you will be responsible for paying for the entirety of your treatment.
If your insurance will not cover your bonding, there might be other provisions you can use to make your treatment more affordable. For example, many practices accept third-party financing from companies like CareCredit. Applying for credit is easy, and most patients are quickly approved for a low-interest or no-interest payment arrangement.
Dental bonding is among the most affordable dental services, and with insurance, it can cost almost nothing! Talk to your dental team to find out more about this treatment and how much it may cost in your specific situation.
Meet the Practice
Central Dental Associates is a general and cosmetic dentistry practice in Norwood, MA. We accept many insurance plans, including those from BlueCross BlueShield, Delta, and more. If you are curious about how we may be able to help you maximize your benefits for dental bonding or other services, contact our friendly team at 781-769-3566.