Dental emergencies happen when you least expect them to. One second you may be happily munching away at your bucket of popcorn during a movie night, and the next you could feel a searing pain after your tooth came down hard on an unpopped kernel. Your first instinct might be to contact your emergency dentist and make an appointment. However, are you wondering whether or not your dental insurance will help you cover the cost of your visit? Read on for the answer!
Types of Dental Insurance Plans
First and foremost, you must consider the type of dental insurance plan you have. That way, you can get a better understanding of what you can expect to pay for your emergency visit. Let’s take a look at three of the most common types of dental insurance:
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) – With a PPO plan, you have the option to visit a dentist both in and out of your provider’s network. However, it’s worth noting that you will generally have a lower out-of-pocket cost if you decide to stick with a practice that’s in-network.
- Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) – This plan requires you to visit a dentist that your provider has approved of. If you decide to seek care outside of the approved list, you may not be eligible for coverage.
- Discount Dental Plans – These programs provide you with a pre-negotiated rate that you can expect to pay by receiving dental care from a select group of dental practices. Although none of your services will be covered, you will get a discount on the care you receive.
Will Dental Insurance Cover Emergency Dental Care?
Do you have a PPO or DHMO plan? If you have available benefits for either plan, a portion of your emergency dental visit might be covered by your insurance. For example, while replacing a knocked-out tooth may not be covered, the diagnostic care (such as an X-ray) may be. If you need a treatment like root canal therapy, you’ll likely be responsible for paying a portion of the cost while your dental insurance may only cover 50% of the restoration needed for the affected tooth.
How Your Dentist Can Help
The last thing you want to do while suffering from a dental emergency is worry about the cost. Luckily, your dental team will explain your financing options and help you decide on one that easily fits your budget. If you want to use your dental insurance, your dental team will review the details of your policy and do everything possible to maximize your benefits. Many practices offer plans like CareCredit financing to help split up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, budget-friendly installments.
Not sure what your dental insurance covers? Contact your insurance provider or ask your dental team for assistance. They’ll help you understand everything you need to know to get the most out of your coverage!
About the Practice
At Sweeny Family Dental, we provide exceptional, personalized, and comprehensive dental services that are guaranteed to meet all your oral health needs. Our team will always go the extra mile to ensure you’re completely satisfied with every visit. If you’re unsure whether your dental insurance will cover an emergency visit, we’ll be more than happy to find an answer for you. Visit our website or call (979) 401-2962 to speak to a member of our team.