What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Posted on April 26, 2024 in Insurance

You probably know that most dental insurance plans cover your biannual trip to the dentist, but do you know that your coverage goes far beyond that? From routine cleanings to unexpected dental emergencies, understanding your dental insurance coverage ensures both financial security and optimal oral health care.

Note: Dental insurance coverage can vary widely depending on the specific plan you have and the insurance provider. The information below offers a broad look at dental treatments that may be covered by dental insurance.

What does dental insurance cover?

In general, dental insurance may cover all or some of the costs of most of major and minor dental procedures, including:

Preventive care: Delta Dental of Iowa insurance plans prioritize preventive care. Preventive care helps you find and treat oral health problems early so they don’t become serious issues down the line. Biannual dental check-ups, cleanings, and X-rays are often fully covered under our plans.

Pro tip: Some oral health diseases like periodontitis are preventable with regular dental exams and good oral health care at home.

Basic restorative services: Basic restorative treatments like simple tooth extractions and fillings are often covered, though you might have to pay a portion of the cost as a copayment or coinsurance. At Delta Dental of Iowa, our plans generally cover 80 percent of basic procedures.

Major restorative services: Major dental treatments such as root canals, crowns, bridges, and dentures may be covered, but you might be required to pay a higher percentage of the cost compared to basic services. Delta Dental of Iowa generally covers 50 percent of major procedures.

Periodontal care: Gum disease treatments and procedures like scaling and root planing are often covered, although coverage levels can vary.

Oral surgery: Certain oral surgical procedures, like wisdom teeth removal or more complex extractions, are typically covered by dental insurance. You may need to pay a percentage of the cost of the surgery, depending on your specific dental insurance plan.

Emergency dental care: Dental benefits often cover emergency dental services, such as treatment for a toothache or a broken tooth. Delta Dental members also have access to teledentistry visits if your dentist is unable to see you in an emergency.

Contact Delta Dental of Iowa to learn more 

The coverage level for your dental insurance plan can vary widely. Therefore, it’s important to review plan information documents for the exact details of your plan coverage. If you have a question, reach out to your dental office. They can provide more information before any major procedure. For Delta Dental of Iowa plans, you can reach our customer service team here.

For more information about your coverage or to sign up for dental insurance, visit our website.