Are Dental Fillings Covered by Insurance?

If your dentist recently informed you that you have a cavity, they also probably suggested that you get it filled soon. But the end of the year is upon us, and you might have quite a lot going on during this time of the year! Nonetheless, cavities aren’t something that should be left untreated, as they pose far too many oral health risks. You can even use your dental insurance to cover most of the procedure—so it makes fiscal sense to get that appointment penciled in on your calendar. Continue reading to learn more about why dental fillings are necessary and how your coverage can help you pay for this incredibly beneficial treatment.

Why Might I Need a Dental Filling?

If you have a toothache that’s causing you a great deal of discomfort and feels sensitive to temperature, chances are, there’s an untreated cavity hiding out inside your mouth. Cavities are problematic not just because they’re painful, but also because they don’t heal on their own. Instead, they worsen, slowly destroying more and more of the tooth, eventually causing it to weaken, die, and fall out.

This is why professional intervention is crucial if you have a cavity, and a dental filling is the go-to option. Modern fillings are made from a composite resin that blends in seamlessly with your natural smile, while also offering numerous oral health benefits for the tooth in question. The mouth is numbed, the decay is removed, and the space is shaped for the filling, which is applied using an expert technique—it’s an easy fix for minor cavities that ensures the tooth can remain inside the mouth!

Are Dental Fillings Covered by Insurance?

Dental insurance companies understand just as well as dentists that small problems have the potential to become big problems if left untreated—and cavities are just one example! This means it makes not only financial sense, but also common sense, to treat the issue while it’s small and cheaper to cure.

Dental fillings are considered a basic restorative service, meaning that if you have dental insurance, you can expect the procedure to be partially covered. This amount varies depending on the plan, but the range is typically between 70% to 80%, assuming the deductible has been met. In any case, you’ll always want to check with your provider before committing to any type of coverage, filling or not.

Approximately 175 million fillings are placed every year, meaning that quite a few smiles are benefiting from this useful treatment—and quite a few wallets are saving on dental care! That said, with the end of the year rapidly approaching, your benefits will be resetting soon, and you shouldn’t hesitate to take full advantage of them and seek out this treatment!

About the Practice

The team at Wylie Family Dentistry has proudly served patients and families in the Wylie, TX community for several years under the leadership of Dr. Roger Morton. Dr. Morton received his DDS from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule a visit before the year ends, feel free to contact the practice online or by phone today! Telephone: (972) 442-5599.