What Is Recommended Versus What Is Covered By Your Insurance

In Canada, all citizens have access to free healthcare; however, that coverage doesn’t apply to oral health services. To be reimbursed for dental treatments, you’ll need to seek out a dental insurance plan.

You might receive insurance through your family, your school, or your place of employment. Dental coverage varies depending on your insurance provider. Some companies will cover a percentage of treatment costs, while others will give you an annual spending amount. 

Most dental plans have a cap—once the annual maximum is reached, the insurance provider will no longer cover treatment expenses (until it resets the following year). 

We’re going to break down the different types of dental services, and when you should prioritize dental care over insurance coverage:

Basic Dental Care

Is it time for your next check-up? You might be covered for up to two cleanings each year, which is what most dentists recommend. However, if you have certain oral health issues (such as extensive tooth decay or gum disease), your dentist might recommend coming in more frequently. 

Types of basic dental care include:

Restorative Dental Care (Comprehensive Coverage)

The next level of coverage involves more complex treatments. These include some oral surgeries, dental implants, dentures, crowns and bridges.

If you aren’t covered for restorative treatments, you might be reluctant to schedule the procedure. But if your dentist recommends that you receive the treatment regardless, you probably should.

Investing in your oral health will serve you for a lifetime. It’s the best way to ensure you retain your natural teeth for as long as possible and avoid complications like tooth infections or periodontal disease. 

Orthodontics

Looking to straighten out your smile? You might be interested in clear aligners, which can straighten minor cases of crooked teeth. These clear retainers are removable and discreet. 

For many people, crooked teeth are merely a cosmetic issue. But for some, crowded or overlapping teeth are difficult to clean. Getting orthodontic treatment might be necessary to prevent future oral health issues.

Accidental/Emergency Dental Insurance

Accidents happen. You may damage or lose a tooth from playing sports, tripping and falling, or biting down on something too hard. 

These incidents can cause excruciating pain; you’ll need treatment ASAP. Your insurance provider may offer coverage for dental emergencies and accidents. In most cases, you won’t have the time to find out before you visit the dentist. Keep a copy of your receipt so you can send it to your insurance company at a later date.

What If You Don’t Have Dental Insurance?

You need extensive dental work, but your plan won’t cover it. Maybe you’ve reached your annual maximum, or you don’t have insurance at all. What should you do?

Our dentists in Winnipeg believe that everyone should have access to dental care. Even if you don’t have insurance, our partnership with Dental Card allows you to break up payments into smaller, more manageable amounts. You can take care of your oral health without overspending; Dental Card plans let you make payments on a schedule that works for you. 

If you have questions about dental insurance coverage, we can help. To schedule your next dental treatment, contract Fresh Dental today!