At your last dental visit, did your dentist recommend a dental crown? If you’re reading this blog, then the answer is most likely, “yes.” If anxiety surrounding treatment, nerves over the cost, or a simple hope that the tooth will heal on its own has caused you to consider putting off treatment, there are a few important reasons you should reconsider. To learn what they are, read on!
Reason #1: You May Have Available Benefits
Whether you have an individual dental plan or one through your employer, you don’t want to let valuable benefits go unused. In addition to covering essential preventive care, many dental insurance providers cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of tooth-saving restorative treatments, like dental crowns. So, if you’ve met your deductible (if you have one), getting a dental crown sooner rather than later will benefit your smile and your wallet.
Reason #2: Postponing Treatment Can Lead to Further Damage
All too often, patients cross all their fingers and toes in hopes that their decayed or damaged tooth will heal on its own. However, enamel cannot regenerate and an infection cannot “go away” without treatment. Furthermore, postponing your care can allow the root of the problem to progress, resulting in serious damage to the condition of your oral health. In short, not getting a dental crown when your dentist first recommends it can lead to more costly and time-consuming treatments down the line.
Reason #3: Your Benefits May Reset Come January 1st
While dental plans vary from patient to patient, they typically have a few things in common, like an emphasis on preventive dentistry. Another similarity is that they often reset on New Year’s Day. That means that any unused benefits won’t “carry over” – they have to be used before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. Therefore, instead of waiting until 2022 to get a dental crown, schedule an appointment within the next few weeks!
Understanding dental insurance benefits can be cumbersome. Fortunately, your dentist and their team are available to ensure you understand your coverage and utilize it to the fullest. So, if you need a dental crown, schedule an appointment today!
About the Author
Inspired by her own wonderful experience with her hometown dentist, Dr. Rebecca Long attended dental school at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. Today, she has more than 600 hours of continuing education under her belt and has undergone training with world-renowned organizations like Spear Education. With our team at Westlake Hills Dental Arts at her side, she’s proud to provide top-tier preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. If you’re interested in learning more about dental insurance, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at 512-328-0155.