Your dental hygiene and health habits play pivotal roles in maintaining your overall wellness, as illnesses and conditions affecting your teeth, gums and mouth may impact other parts of your body. Having dental insurance can help ensure you have access to the care you need.
What Are the Primary Coverages of Dental Insurance? 
Like general health insurance, the details of dental plans can vary significantly. Your coverage may be customizable, and it can be advantageous to tailor your policy to fit your needs and budgetary circumstances. Although there are many types of dental plans, most plans include some combination of the following coverages:
- Preventive and diagnostic care—As its name suggests, this coverage provides you and others listed on your policy access to regular care intended to assess, maintain and diagnose your oral health. The following services may be included in this coverage:
- Routine checkups
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Tooth sealing
- Basic restorative dental services—If your dentist discovers existing damage or issues that are generally simple to treat, this coverage can provide financial assistance for the following:
- Tooth pain
- Fillings
- Simple extractions (e.g., nonimpacted)
- Gum disease treatment
- Root canals
- Major restorative care—This coverage may be necessary if you or another insured need a particularly complicated or significant dental procedure, such as the following:
- Dentures
- Crowns
- Implants
- Oral surgery
- Sedation or anesthesia
- Complex extractions (e.g., impacted wisdom teeth)
- Bridgework
- Onlays
- Inlays
- Orthodontia—This coverage can help you pay for orthodontic services and devices to correct issues related to misaligned teeth. For example, orthodontic coverage may help pay for the following:
- Braces
- Retainers
- Space maintainers
- Headgear
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance functions similarly to general health insurance. Although policy details may vary, you should familiarize yourself with the following terms to ensure you have an adequate understanding of your coverage:
- Premiums are regular (e.g., monthly) payments to maintain coverage.
- Deductibles represent a minimum amount you must pay out of pocket in a single plan year before your insurance will begin to contribute.
- Co-pays are required out-of-pocket costs for various services, such as X-rays.
- Co-insurance is a clause in your policy that establishes what percentage of specific dental services will be covered by your insurance.
- Annual maximum is the limit of financial assistance your dental coverage can provide in a single plan year.
Get the Right Coverage
Issues involving your dental health can have significant ramifications for your long-term wellness. Without access to essential medical services, you may lack the ability to recover from such conditions fully. Furthermore, insufficient dental coverage could have devastating ramifications on your financial future.
We’re here to help. At Wimmer Insurance Services, our agents have the experience, knowledge and dedication to help individuals and families in the Detroit Lakes area acquire and maintain optimal dental plans. Visit our website or call 218-847-5703 to get started today.
This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.