Full Coverage Dental Insurance

The dental insurance landscape is a point of confusion for many consumers. When browsing carriers and policies, terms like “coinsurance” and “annual maximums” can throw people off and hinder their ability to find the best plan for their needs.

In this blog, we’ll help you understand what full coverage dental insurance is, what it does and does not cover and other important details to help you in your search.

What is full coverage dental insurance?

As the name implies, full coverage dental plans provide benefits for a wider range of treatments, helping to cover higher-cost procedures. They help cover preventive care as well as basic and major restorative care — plus orthodontics, in some cases. Keep in mind that full coverage doesn’t necessarily mean costs are covered in full.

What does full coverage dental insurance cover?

While the specifics of coverage depend on the type of plan and carrier, full coverage plans generally go beyond preventive care like cleanings, x-rays and fluoride treatments.

They may also include: 

• Basic restorative care like fillings and extractions
• Major restorative care like bridges, crowns and dentures
• Orthodontic treatments like braces and other aligners

What isn’t covered by full coverage dental plans?

While full coverage reduces your out-of-pocket cost, procedures won’t be 100% covered. Just like with medical insurance, full coverage dental plans do not cover elective or cosmetic procedures, like teeth whitening. You will be responsible for the full costs of these types of treatments.

Additionally, people with pre-existing conditions may not have certain services covered. For example, if you had missing teeth before getting your dental plan, full coverage may not offer any coverage for replacement procedures like dentures, bridges or dental implants. Specialty dentistry like orthodontia may also not be included in your policy. 

If you know you will need specific treatment down the line, review the details of your plan so you understand what will be covered and what you will have to pay out of your own pocket.

Can you get full coverage dental insurance with no waiting period?

Often, dental insurance plans will kick in to cover preventive care as soon as you enroll, but require patients to wait six or 12 months before covering more extensive and high-cost care. However, Spirit Dental offers dental insurance with no waiting period for major services.

How much does full coverage dental insurance cost?

The amount you’ll pay annually for a full coverage plan can differ significantly, as the following costs all need to be taken into account:

• Co-pays: Preset value you’ll pay to get dental treatment.
• Deductibles: Amount you must pay before your plan coverage kicks in.
• Coinsurance: Percentage of costs shared by you and your plan once the deductible is met.
• Annual maximums: How much your policy will cover per year.
• Monthly premiums: What you pay monthly to be enrolled in your plan.

Whether you opt for a DPPO or DHMO plan will also impact what you can expect to pay.

How do I choose an affordable full coverage dental plan?

To select affordable dental insurance for your oral health needs, do the following:

• Understand the difference between PPOs, HMOs and other types of plans.
• Consider what dental care you and your family will need in the foreseeable future.
• Examine what is and is not covered by different plans.
• Add up monthly and annual costs for different plans.

Even easier? Let Spirit Dental & Vision do it for you. Get a quote and get full coverage today, with no waiting period!