Healthcare is an expensive endeavor, and the struggle to find affordable insurance is common. However, dental plans cover most dental treatment procedures, but it is essential to know the ins and outs of what they do and don’t cover.
This post will explore dental insurance and answer the question: Are crowns covered by insurance?
Table of Contents
What Is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance is a form of insurance taken out to cover the cost of necessary dental treatments.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance usually covers routine checkups and cleanings, but it may also extend to fillings as well as tooth repair or restoration procedures.
What Are Dental Crowns?
A crown is a dental restoration that can help repair tooth decay. Crowns can also be used for cosmetic purposes to enhance one’s appearance. They are attached to the remaining portion of the tooth with either metal or porcelain.
Why Do Dental Crowns Cost So Much?
Dental crowns are expensive, and many can cost over $1,000, while others can cost upwards of $1,000. They are pricey because they are made from natural materials instead of cheap plastics and chemicals.
In addition, a dentist must take the time to fit them properly. Before you can finally get a crown to replace or cover a tooth, you will need to make two separate dental visits.
The first visit is all about a diagnosis. The dentist will look at the affected tooth and devise an appropriate treatment plan. They will also have to examine your tooth’s structure to ensure it can support a crown. They can also start shaving the tooth down to enhance the installation of the crown.
On the second visit, the dentist will install the crown. Dental crowns are essential for people who need to cover or wholly replace a tooth. They can be expensive. That’s why you may need insurance cover.
Are Crowns Covered by Insurance?
The answer is yes. Dental insurance plans cover crowns. However, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Dental insurance doesn’t cover all crowns.
The most distinguishing factor is the reason for the procedure. If the crowns are done for health reasons, chances are, dental insurance will meet part of the cost. If done only for cosmetic reasons, there is little chance that dental insurance will cover the crown.
What Does Dental Insurance Typically Cover?
Most dental insurance policies will cover a set of dental procedures, including the following:
- General dentistry checkups and cleanings.
- Fillings, but only in some cases. They do not cover fillings made of gold or silver.
- Root canal procedures and extractions.
- Crowns for damaged teeth that would otherwise be extracted.
- Dental implants. This can be a lifesaver for many people who otherwise wouldn’t afford it.
Dental Insurance Coverage Amount
Some dental insurance policies will cover partial coverage of some dental procedures, such as crowns or fillings. Others will cover a different proportion of the total cost.
It would be best to keep in mind that you must pay some deductibles and co-payments before the actual procedure is performed. Also, keep in mind that you are liable to meet the remaining part of the cost.
Dental insurance is usually offered yearly and must be renewed at the end of the year to maintain coverage.
Cost of Crown With Insurance
Though dental insurance rarely covers these kinds of procedures, you may be lucky with crowns.
Dental plans tend to cover the cost of dental crowns only in cases where the crowns are medically necessary. An example of such a case is where a patient has a weak or cracked tooth.
However, dental insurance does not cover crowns installed for cosmetic reasons. That’s because dental insurance policies usually don’t cover cosmetic procedures as they exist for the sole purpose of enhancing the appearance of teeth and smiles rather. By covering cosmetic procedures, they won’t be health insurance policies anymore.
As a result, one has to meet the entire cost of crowns if they are requested for cosmetic reasons.
Generally, the cost of crowns will depend on the material used. It may be porcelain or metal. But the crown cost in Los Angeles should range from $805 to $2,015 per crown regardless of the material.
In addition, it’s essential to remember your dental insurance will only meet half of the cost. As a patient, you are liable to meet the remainder.
Cost of Crown Without Insurance
Without dental insurance coverage, a patient will have to pay 100% of the total cost of the crown’s installation. It may be a significant chunk of money to meet. It’s also worth noting that, as with most dental procedures, crowns will cost more if you live in an urban area than if you’re living in a rural part of the country.
In the city and surrounding areas, procedures will be more prevalent and accessible to the public. Hence the cost for crowns will generally be higher than in less populated communities.
As a result of their permanency, installed crowns won’t need much aftercare costs like other forms of treatment.
Should I Get Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance is available for people who need it. It can be a lifesaver for many, especially if you’re unable to afford it otherwise.
But it’s also only worth getting if you know what you may have to pay out of pocket before your dental insurance even kicks in. The sooner you know, the better. That way, you are prepared for when the bills start piling up, and your dentist has no choice but to cut corners or give up on your case.
But at the very least, you should get a general idea of what your dental insurance will cover before you sign up. This way, you can get an idea of what to expect when your dentist suggests a crown.
Tips and Tricks To Follow When Purchasing a Dental Insurance Plan
Due to the complexities that may arise from crown coverage in dental plans, you will have to observe the following when purchasing a dental plan:
1. Check Your Deductible
Be sure to check the coverage amount first. Depending on what dental insurance plan you buy, the coverage for crowns may vary.
The next thing to do is to check if the dental insurance you’ve selected has a high deductible or not.
2. Be Sure About Renewal Costs
Dental insurance plans usually require you to pay an annual renewal fee. Your coverage will end after a certain period, and you may be left with the bill.
The best way to plan for the annual dental procedures is by checking your coverage amount and deciding whether it’s worth it to renew or not. For example, some plans do not cover crowns, while others only cover 50% through the first year of service, then a more significant proportion after two years of continuous service.
3. Compare and Shop Around
Try to research and compare the various dental plans available in your area and find the most affordable one that will cover your particular needs.
You can easily do this by going online and searching for the various dental plans available in the area where you live. Dental insurance coverage is not the same from one insurance company to another hence comparing and shopping around is a good idea.
4. Know the Benefits of Your Plan
Find out if your dental plan is fixed-rate or not. Dental insurance plans have a deductible amount to pay before your coverage kicks in.
Some dental insurance plans, especially those managed by the state government, require that you live in the state where you bought the plan. However, some private dental insurance plans will cover out-of-state claims.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when purchasing dental insurance. It may be an issue for those who have never purchased a dental insurance cover. Not all insurance companies will be the same, and neither will their policies.
The Article’s Key Takeaways
It is important to note down the following:
- Dental insurance policies do cover all crowns, but only those that are medically necessary.
- The cost of crown with insurance will amount to half of the total original cost. It means that the coverage for a crown is usually half of the cost of the procedure. The patient is liable for the other half.
- The cost of crown without insurance will remain to be 100% of the initial cost.
- After the purchase of dental insurance, you may have to wait for a period of up to one or two years for the insurance to provide coverage of crowns.
- When purchasing a dental plan, it is important to check if the policy covers ceramic crowns or simply the more affordable ones.
As you can see, dental crowns are indeed handy today. Whether their necessity is the result of tooth decay or a simple cosmetic procedure, they have become part and parcel of our lives.
Please book an appointment with us for an in-depth consultation on your teeth and crown installations.
We charge the most affordable crown cost in Los Angeles.
You can also contact us at (424) 253-5152 for any urgent dental care.