Cosmetic dental procedures improve how your teeth look, enhancing your overall appearance and confidence. Although they improve oral health by preventing or treating some dental conditions, they are mainly preferred for making you appear and feel afterward. If you struggle with the color, length, and general appearance of your teeth, a cosmetic dental procedure like a veneer or Invisalign can boost their appearance, your smile, and your confidence. Sadly, these are expensive procedures that not many individuals and families can afford.

However, insurance covers cosmetic dental treatments, making them accessible to many more people. If you prove that the procedure you want can prevent or treat a dental or oral issue, your insurer can finance part or the complete treatment.

Here are some of the cosmetic dental treatments your insurance provider can cover. For easier decision-making, speak to an experienced dentist for more information about insurance coverage for cosmetic dental treatments.

Dental Implants

If you have a missing tooth or your dentist is about to extract a severely damaged natural tooth, they will recommend tooth replacement. This keeps your remaining teeth in their proper positions on the gums to prevent bite issues. It also ensures that the missing tooth does not affect your remaining teeth' appearance, feel, or functionality.

Dental implants are one way to replace a missing tooth permanently. They involve installing an artificial tooth over an already-installed implant. An implant is usually designed to appear like a jawbone. Dentists infuse it into the jaw for permanent support. Once the installation happens, you will enjoy the replacement's look, feel, and functionality like a natural tooth. Since the installation is usually permanent, you do not need to remove the implant to clean it.

The process of installing dental implants is usually long. You must set some days aside for dental examination, preparing the tooth for the implant, and the installation. This permanent solution is also costly. The materials used in making dental implants are generally pricey, and the installation procedure is complex, which results in an expensive treatment. However, insurance companies cover this type of treatment because of its preventive and restorative benefits.

Suppose one or more of your teeth are severely damaged by a cavity. In that case, your dentist can recommend immediate removal of the affected teeth and a quick replacement with a dental implant. This will prevent the cavity from spreading to your other teeth. Dental implants also protect you from bite issues. You experience a bite problem when your teeth are not correctly positioned on the gum. This will likely happen if you fail to replace a missing tooth immediately after extraction.

If your insurance company agrees to finance your dental implant installation, here are your options and how beneficial they are:

Endosteal implants

Dentists install these types directly to your jawbone. They drill a hole into the jawbone for proper anchorage.

Subperiosteal Implants

This is your option if your jawbone is not sufficient or strong enough to provide anchorage to a dental implant. In this case, the dentist will install the implant on the jawbone.

Before starting the treatment process, your dentist must determine your eligibility for dental implants. This mainly depends on the health of your jawbone and gums. If the jawbone is shallow, you could undergo another treatment to build it up before receiving the implant. Your eligibility could also be based on underlying medical conditions like leukemia and diabetes. These illnesses affect a body’s healing abilities, making it difficult for you to heal faster and more effectively after receiving a dental implant.

The dental implant costs range from $1500 to $7500. If this is too expensive, you can determine whether your insurance company can cover it. Remember that although insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures, they can cover a part of your treatment if there are some preventive or restorative benefits.

Dental Fillings

Dentists use dental fillings to restore the shape and functionality of teeth after a cavity attack. They use malleable material to fill a cavity after cleaning out the decayed part of the tooth to prevent further damage. This prevents the cavity from continuing to damage the tooth. Dentists recommend dental fillings when only a tiny part of the tooth is damaged. Instead of extracting the tooth, a filling can restore the tooth and stop the decay from continuing.

Dental cavities form when a tooth is damaged by dental decay or after an accident. If left untreated, harmful bacteria penetrate the cavity, causing further damage to the tooth. The harmful bacteria can also penetrate the tooth's underlying structures, causing inflammation and oral infection on the tooth’s pulp. You could lose your tooth due to an untreated cavity or require root canal therapy to remove the infected pulp.

If you notice a cavity on one or more teeth, you should visit a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment. If they recommend a dental filling, you should have it immediately after diagnosis to prevent further damage to your tooth. Other indications that you could have a cavity include tooth sensitivity or pain when chewing or biting.

Dental fillings are costly. You can determine if the insurance company covers part of your treatment to reduce your overall expense. The treatment process takes a short time. Once you decide, the dentist will prepare your tooth for filling. This includes removing the decayed part of the tooth and ensuring that your tooth is not infected. They will also take an x-ray examination of your tooth’s underlying structures to determine their condition.

If the tooth’s polyp is in perfect condition, you only need a dental filling. However, you could require an additional treatment, like root canal therapy, if the tooth’s roots are infected. Once the infected structures are removed, the dentist will clean and fill your affected tooth. They use a strong and safe filling material and cure it in place using a special light. The treated tooth will remain strong and functional for years after treatment.

Here are common types of dental fillings that insurance companies cover:

Amalgam Fillings

This is the most popular type of dental filling available today. The material dentists use in this treatment is strong. Thus, it is suitable for filling the back teeth, like the molars. The amalgam material is made from safe and solid elements. However, the material is visible and will make your treated teeth visible when you smile, laugh, or speak. Nevertheless, amalgam fillings are the least costly compared to other dental fillings.

Composite Dental Fillings

The material used in this type of dental filling is made from glass or quartz, which results in a filling that resembles the color and feel of a natural tooth. This would be your option if you prefer a more discreet dental filling. It is also strong and durable, giving you years of continued service with proper care. Dentists recommend composite fillings for canines and incisors.

Metal Dental Fillings

These are preferred mostly for their strength and aesthetic appeal. The most common ones are silver and gold dental fillings. However, metal fillings are more pricey than amalgam and composite fillings.

Ceramic Fillings

These are also popular because they result in a tooth-colored dental filling less likely to stain after years of use. However, they are more expensive than composite fillings, and thus, they could be challenging to afford without insurance coverage.

Glass Ionomer Dental Fillings

These are usually made from a combination of acrylic and glass. The resulting material is fluoride-based, critical in protecting your teeth from cavity damage. However, they are less potent than other dental fillings, necessitating a replacement a few years after installation.

Typically, dental fillings are expensive. The cost of an amalgam filling, which is the least costly option, ranges from $50 to $150 for one tooth. You can pay up to $4500 for a dental filling if you choose the most substantial and aesthetically pleasing option. Insurance companies cover part of the treatment because dental fillings have a preventive and restorative benefit to a policyholder.

Installation of Dental Crowns

A crown is a dental restorative procedure performed on a severely damaged tooth to restore its form, feel, and functionality. A crown is like a cap that dentists install on a damaged tooth to correct its shape and size. It covers the entire top part of the tooth and is cured in place for permanence. Your dentist can recommend a dental crown if your damaged tooth requires protection after root canal therapy, after a dental implant installation, or to protect a damaged tooth from additional damage.

Here are some of the dental conditions that you can treat with a dental crown:

  • A large cavity
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Chipped, broken, or worn tooth
  • Misshapen teeth
  • A damaged tooth after root canal treatment
  • Weak teeth

After installation, dental crowns function and appear just like natural teeth. They are also strong and durable and can serve you for up to 30 years with proper care. However, dental crowns are costly. The overall cost of treatment depends on the type of crowns you choose, the nature of your damaged tooth, the number of teeth requiring treatment, and whether you need additional treatment for a different dental issue.

Typically, dentists offer four options for patients who choose dental crowns to restore damaged teeth:

  • Ceramic dental crowns
  • Porcelain with metal crowns
  • Gold crowns
  • Metal crowns

If you need a crown that looks, feels, and functions like your natural tooth, you will choose a ceramic one. Gold and metal crowns are strong but mostly preferred for their aesthetic appeal. Your dentist will consider your dental needs and personal preference to guide you into choosing the most suitable option.

Additionally, dentists customize dental crowns to fit the exact tooth requiring treatment. The treatment process can take several days to ensure the crown fits your tooth precisely for a long time. A dental crown costs from $500 to $3000 for one tooth, depending on the type of brown you choose. You can save considerably if your insurance company covers part of the treatment.

Dental Veneers

Installation of veneers is a restorative procedure that enhances your teeth’s appearance, shape, size, and functionality. Veneers are recommended for damaged teeth. They cover the outer part of the tooth to cover its discoloration or damage, boosting your smile and esteem and restoring the tooth’s strength. The material used to make veneers is mainly ceramic, which can be customized to appear like your natural teeth. This ensures your treatment remains discreet.

Generally, veneers are for cosmetic reasons, but they can be used for restorative and preventive purposes. They can cover chips and cracks on your teeth, preventing further damage to your teeth. They can also restore your tooth’s structure after damage. In this case, your treatment can be covered by your insurance provider.

Although veneers are less costly than dental crowns, they could be unaffordable for some people. Your insurance provider can cover part of the treatment to make it even more affordable. Then, you can enjoy their preventive and cosmetic benefits, including a more enhanced smile and confidence.

Dentists recommend veneers for the following people:

  • Those whose teeth are moderately damaged (teeth damages that are too big for dental fillings and not big enough for a dental crown)
  • People who have suffered from gum disease
  • Those with discolored or stained teeth

The cost of veneers ranges from $925 to $2,500 for one tooth. You could incur an additional fee if you need further treatment for your damaged tooth. An adequately installed veneer can last up to seven years with proper care.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a popular restorative procedure that utilizes a toothlike resin material to improve the appearance of a natural tooth and your smile. The procedure is mainly performed to cover or repair a chipped or fractured tooth. It can also cover gaps between teeth and alter the color and shape of natural teeth. Dental bonding is highly preferred because it is reversible, unlike popular procedures like veneers. You can remove the composite material anytime after installation if you want to switch to a more permanent solution for your damaged or discolored teeth.

Cosmetic dentists use dental bonding in several applications, including the following:

  • To camouflage a discolored tooth
  • To conceal cracks or chips in natural teeth
  • To close spaces and gaps between natural teeth
  • To improve the general appearance of your teeth, including making them look longer or wider
  • To change the shape of a natural tooth for better appearance and functionality

Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure because its primary intention is to improve your smile and confidence. It entails the use of a composite resin material because this material can be customized to appear and feel like a natural tooth. This way, you can discreetly change your teeth’s appearance and enjoy a more beautiful smile without making it obvious that you underwent a cosmetic dental procedure. The materials dentists use in dental bonding are the same ones used in popular restorative procedures like filling cavities and protecting your teeth’s roots after gum recession.

During treatment, your dentist will take you through a series of procedures before you can enjoy a wonderful outcome. For example, they will assist you in selecting the perfect shade of composite resin to create a bonding material for your problematic tooth. This selection is carefully done to ensure that the treated tooth will match your remaining teeth. Your dentist will also prepare your tooth for the bonding process. They have to rough up the tooth’s surface a little to ensure that the bonding material attaches perfectly to the tooth.

The dentist will then apply a conditioning liquid to the prepared tooth, and then the composite material. They will mold the material to the right size, to match the shape and size of your tooth. Once you are happy with the way the tooth appears after dental bonding, the dentist will cure the material in place using a special light. The material will harden onto the tooth and can remain intact for years after treatment. The dentist can polish the tooth and make final adjustments to the bonding to give you a perfect look and smile.

On average, the cost of dental bonding is between $100 and $400 for one tooth. You can find out if your insurance provider will cover a part of your treatment or the entire treatment to make the procedure more affordable for you.

Find a Competent Hawthorne Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

Cosmetic dentist procedures are believed only to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. This explains why they are expensive and unaffordable for most individuals and families. However, they can prevent dental or oral issues and restore your teeth’s appearance and functionality. This is what makes them eligible for insurance coverage. If a dentist recommends a cosmetic procedure, it helps determine benefits and whether your insurance company will cover part of your treatment.

At Ganji Dental, we recommend various cosmetic dental treatments that insurance companies cover for their cosmetic, preventive, and restorative benefits. We ensure that our patients enjoy the full benefits of cosmetic dentistry, including restored oral health, improved smile and confidence, and better-functioning teeth. Call us at 310-643-8045 to discuss your dental and oral concerns with our dental experts.