Four Types of Dental Care Services
It can be hard to judge what your oral health care needs will be in the future if you don’t know much about the different types of care. To put it simply, there are four major types of dental services available, including:
- Basic. Standard treatments necessary to maintain good oral health, such as cleanings, exams, X-Rays, and fillings.
- Comprehensive. Treatments that are more extensive than the basic services, including root canals, periodontal treatments, and denture maintenance.
- Major. The most in-depth dental treatment available, these services include dentures, crowns, and bridges. There is usually a waiting period before you can receive coverage for these types of services.
- Orthodontic. Treatments used to align a person’s teeth, such as braces. Most patients receiving orthodontic services are adolescents, but you can receive this type of treatment at any age. These services are typically available in your third year of dental insurance coverage.
Assessing Your Needs
When determining how much and what type of coverage you need, it’s important to not only consider the types of treatment you have received in the past, but also the type of treatment you might need in the future. Even if you’ve never had a root canal or a bridge, that doesn’t mean you won’t need one several years from now.
In general, the more services a plan covers, the more expensive it is. So you may be tempted to choose a less expensive plan to save money. However, if you need more extensive dental treatment in the future, a plan that offers more comprehensive coverage could end up saving you money in the long run.
Don’t wait until you need a particular treatment to try to purchase coverage. If you do, you may be subjected to waiting periods or you may not qualify for coverage at all. Purchase coverage now to protect yourself financially, now and in the future.
Planning for the Future
If yours is a young family, it’s difficult to imagine what dental care costs may look like in the future. A newborn baby might someday need braces, an outcome that’s even more likely if you or your spouse once wore them. It’s inevitable, like many things that relate to healthcare, the costs of dental care tend to increase as we age. Basing plans on your current state of dental health could be a costly mistake that affects your family for years to come.
Dental insurance plans are available with varying levels of coverage. If a condition is not covered under your current plan, you will have to pay out of pocket to cover the costs that are over and above. Be sure to speak with an independent insurance broker to evaluate your current and likely future needs before making your final decision on a dental insurance plan.
Selecting the Dental Insurance Coverage That’s Right For You
There are many insurance programs available on the market today. Selecting the one that’s right for you can be overwhelming. Some plans cover certain services, partially cover others and exclude some altogether. In some cases, coverage is available, but not until your second or third year of coverage under the plan.
It’s important that you understand the coverage you’ll receive before purchasing a plan. If you’re unsure what plan to choose, a knowledgeable insurance professional can help you assess your needs, explain the different coverage options available and answer your questions.
Contact us today to discuss your dental insurance needs and request a no-obligation quote to help you make an informed decision about your coverage needs.
