With the increased time spent on video calls over the past few years, more people are spending hours with a camera focused closely on their faces. Meanwhile, studies have shown that over 50% of people are unhappy with their teeth and go out of their way to hide them.
Put these two together, and you have a recipe for someone who may be looking for a way to improve the look of their smile.
Dr. Kevin Sands believes that everyone should have the opportunity to show off a gorgeous smile. He offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry services to ensure that there is something for everyone when it comes to enhancing and preserving your confidence in your smile.
Below, we discuss porcelain veneers and explore why they may not be covered by insurance — and what you can do to determine if they are.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are custom-made coverings designed to fit over the front surface of your teeth. They are thin ceramic shells that conceal defects and imperfections in your teeth, such as deep stains, chips, or cracks. They are also used to fill in gaps between your teeth and fix the appearance of misshapen or too-small teeth.
Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments for several reasons, including:
- They offer natural-looking results
- They’re a permanent solution to many tooth imperfections
- The veneers are as durable as your own teeth
- The process of getting porcelain veneers is easy and painless
If you’re looking for a lasting solution to your lackluster smile, porcelain veneers may be the answer.
But will your dental insurance cover the procedure?
Dental Insurance and Porcelain Veneers
Dental insurance policies may cover veneers, but it depends on why you’re getting them. While dental insurance typically pays for restorative procedures, they often don’t cover cosmetic ones. Cosmetic procedures like veneers are considered elective, so they’re generally not covered.
When looking into veneers, the first step is checking your dental benefits. Talk to your dentist about your reasons for getting veneers — do you have an underlying condition that would categorize veneers as a restorative treatment rather than simply a cosmetic one? Since veneers can be used to repair chipped or broken teeth or fix the alignment of your bite, they may qualify as a restorative procedure, and insurance may cover some of the cost.
Your dental insurance may also allow you to add coverage for cosmetic procedures to your plan. If you think you’ll want to explore tooth whitening, implants, or other cosmetic dentistry options, it may be worth paying a higher premium up front to save money in the long run. Get familiar with your dental insurance policy and what it covers, and contact your benefits department to find out what procedures can be covered and what portion of the cost is handled by insurance.
Because the process of getting veneers involves removing some of your tooth’s enamel, the treatment is permanent. However, veneers are designed to last up to 15 years.
While the initial placement of veneers might not qualify for insurance coverage, the replacement of your veneers may. Since the tooth under the veneer no longer has enamel, it is unprotected from decay and possible injury, thereby making the procedure medically necessary.
Learn More About Porcelain Veneers in Beverly Hills
From teeth whitening to tooth implants and everything in between, Dr. Kevin Sands has the training, skills, and expertise to brighten your smile and make you happy to show off your pearly whites.
For more information on porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, call 310-273-0111 or fill out our online contact form.