how much do braces cost

What to Know About Common Dental Insurance Plans

Posted on July 6, 2023

how much do braces cost

A dental insurance plan can help to fix dental problems that might exist and prevent others from developing. The general affordability of dental plans makes them especially desirable for those who want to maintain good dental health. It is important to fully understand your dental insurance plan so that you don’t have to look up “How much do braces cost?” and other dental concerns. If you need to obtain services, look for the following information.

Which Services Are Covered

Most dental insurance plans will pay for one or more annual teeth cleanings, X-rays, and other preventive services because they help to prevent the need for fillings, crowns, and other costly dental procedures later. Most will cover fillings or crowns but require you to pay for a portion. Others might cover a portion of the cost for major services, like implants and root canals, but they also might not. And orthodontics may or may not be covered, which would greatly affect the answer to “How much do braces cost?” It always is important to know what is and is not covered.

Waiting Period for Coverage

If you have existing dental insurance, switching to another plan likely will not affect you when you can obtain services that are covered by the plan. If you just bought a dental insurance plan, there might be a waiting period for coverage to apply for fillings, crowns, and other types of dental work. The waiting period might be a few months, so obtaining services before a waiting period transpires could be a costly mistake. Many dental insurance plans have changing levels of coverage, such as 10 percent for major procedures during year one, 35 percent during year two, and 50 percent or more during year three or later.

Maximum Annual Benefit

One of the tools that make dental insurance plans affordable for individuals is the maximum annual benefit that limits the maximum amount the insurer will pay each year. If you have costly procedures and then seek to know “How much do braces cost?”during the same benefit year, coverage might be denied. Knowing the maximum annual benefit will help you to plan your dental treatments.

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, more than three-fourths of Americans had dental insurance, including two-thirds with private dental insurance. If you’re ready to get a dental service covered by insurance, you’re in luck. You can call our team at Lineberger Orthodontics or submit our online form to schedule dental services covered by dental plans.