Does dental insurance cover veneers? • How to pay for tackles

Although veneers may seem like a good option to help you feel more confident about your teeth, they may not be a financially wise choice. This may be true even if you have dental insurance, as veneers are generally considered a non-insurance cosmetic procedure.

However, your smile is usually the first thing people see when they look at you, and everyone wants a good one. If dental insurance doesn’t cover veneers, you can use other options to avoid paying for your veneers with a single cash lump sum. You can speak with your dentist to review the options before looking for other payment options for veneers.

Can you pay for veneers with dental insurance?

To obtain veneers is generally considered to be cosmetic dentistry which is not medically necessary in the vast majority of cases. While some insurance companies may offer coverage for veneers, most insurers will not pay for this procedure. Veneers are basically coverings that cover your teeth to hide imperfections, which means they don’t fix a medical problem the way crowns do. Although they are very thin and sit on the outer part of your front teeth, they can be quite expensive.

Dental insurance pays for medically necessary dental procedures and treatment. Veneers are a procedure that falls under cosmetic dentistry, which means you choose to get veneers but they are not medically necessary. Dental coverage can be very specific, and some dental policies may not even cover some of the essential treatments and procedures that your dentist deems medically necessary. For example, sealants have a medical use and purpose, but are still not covered by most adult dental insurance plans. This means that the chances of your dental insurance covering veneers are very low (but not impossible). Review the details of your plan to be sure, but you should assume that your plan will not cover the cost of your veneers.

Payment Plans

Although most dental insurance does not cover veneers, many dental offices offer payment plans. These payment plans usually involve third-party lenders through whom you must be approved before you can schedule your procedure. Approval is usually based on factors such as your credit score and approximate income.

For most payment plans, especially those that help pay for a number of miscellaneous dental costs and not just veneers, you have to pay interest on the money you borrow. Also, if you go through a third-party lender, such as CareCredit, you will only be allowed to go to dental providers that they have approved on their list. Your dentist can help you learn more about the requirements and treatment options within their practice’s network of payment plans.

Dental loans

Taking out a dental loan is a good option to pay for veneers if you have good credit. With a dental loan, you may be able to get lower monthly payments and a more competitive fixed rate on the loan. However, interest will still have to be paid, so the veneers as a whole will end up being more expensive. For some lenders, you must specify exactly what you are using the loan for, which means you may not be able to use the loan for cosmetic procedures.

Low interest credit cards

You can also easily get a low interest credit card if you have decent credit. Unlike the lump sum that a personal dental loan can offer, a low interest credit card can offer a revolving line of credit. However, if you don’t pay the full credit bill each month, interest will have to be paid to the credit card issuer, which essentially increases the overall cost of veneers.

Dental programs

Some dental offices offer in-house dental programs. These programs are usually for those who don’t have dental insurance at all, but you may be able to take advantage of a plan to pay for veneers. These programs are usually limited to certain dental procedures, but if veneers are covered, you may be able to get a considerable discount if you join the program for a low monthly fee.

Review your dental coverage

Before any major surgery or visit to the dentist, you should review your dental coverage. Dental insurance generally covers basic procedures and treatments that contribute to your oral health, including cleanings, x-rays and fillings. Even though there are no limits to what your dental insurance can cover, you can still have an annual maximum, so even if you could get veneers, their cost could exceed that annual maximum.

It is important to review your dental coverage to know exactly what is covered and what is not. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of a procedure and find out that your insurance policy doesn’t cover it. Reimbursable dental expenses can be financially detrimental. Make sure you know the ins and outs of your policy before you go to the dental office or start considering veneers.

Ask your dentist for more options

You may be able to access other dental options in addition to veneers that your dentist may be able to offer. Regardless of whether you can afford to pay for your veneers in cash or are considering financing, it’s a good idea to consider all options before deciding to schedule a veneer appointment. The following ideas are a few options that you can discuss with your dentist to see if this is a better choice based on your reason for wanting veneers.

• Teeth whitening: If you are considering veneers because you are unhappy with the color of your teeth, teeth whitening may be a better option. Veneers require maintenance and are expensive, whereas professional teeth whitening can cost much less and does not require as much maintenance. Most dentists offer teeth whitening services, which means you’ll have no trouble finding a practice to book an appointment.
• Crowns: If you’re looking to get veneers to fix a cracked, chipped, or decaying tooth, crowns may be a better option. Crowns are basically caps that look like teeth and are placed right on top of your existing tooth. If you already have a crown or filling that is too large, you may not be able to start with veneers. Additionally, crowns are usually covered by dental insurance if deemed medically necessary.
• Braces: Braces can be considered an alternative to veneers if you are trying to achieve straighter teeth. Braces can also help with tooth gaps, overbites and underbites. Although the appearance of braces is not as attractive as veneers, they may be a better option financially. You can also choose to invest in a clear alternative treatment that is less visually noticeable (like Invisalign braces).
• Dental bonding: Dental bonding is a simple procedure that is performed to repair chips or cracks in the teeth. The bonding process is quite quick, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. It’s a much cheaper option and can help with the appearance of your teeth if you’re considering veneers due to cracks or chipping in your front teeth. Bonding also doesn’t require a lot of enamel to be scraped from your teeth, making it a healthier option for your teeth compared to veneers.

Best dental insurance for veneers

Even if you can’t afford veneers with dental insurance, maintaining a comprehensive insurance policy can help improve your overall oral health, which in turn will help your smile shine brighter. Benzinga offers information and reviews on the following dental insurance providers. You may want to consider starting your search for dental insurance coverage using the links below.

Frequently Asked Questions

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