Dental Insurance Plans for Major Restorative Care
Updated March 2023
Planning for restorative & major services dental insurance
Dental insurance covers multiple levels of care, including preventive care, basic services, and major services. If you are having problems with your teeth and are worried you might need major services, dental insurance can help lower your out-of-pocket costs, so a trip to the dentist doesn't have to break the bank.
But what qualifies as major dental services, and what is restorative dentistry? And what about dental insurance for major restorative care? Does it even exist? Let's look at all of those questions below.
What is considered restorative major dental care?
Restorative dental care includes a variety of treatments and procedures that your dentist or a specialist will use to, as the name implies, restore the health of your teeth and gums. Restorative dental care is all about fixing teeth that have been damaged or replacing teeth that fell out or had to be extracted.
Restorative treatments can fall under basic or major dental services.
For example, a filling might be classified as a basic service that your insurance covers at 80%, while a dental implant might be a major service that’s covered at 50%. And, when it comes to root canals, one insurance provider might classify it as a basic service while another might deem it a major service.
Why do you need restorative dentistry?
Unlike cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening or veneers used only to improve the look of your smile, restorative dental services can improve the health of your pearly whites when they’ve been damaged by injury or decay. Everything from fillings and root canals to crowns and bridges can be considered restorative dental treatments.
Common restorative dental procedures
Here are some of the ways that various restorative dental services can improve your oral health:
- Fillings can be used to fix teeth that have developed cavities.
- Bridges, dentures, and implants can be used to replace missing teeth.
- Root canals can remove extensive decay and save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
- Crowns can restore the look and function of damaged teeth or those that needed a root canal.
- Inlays can be an alternative to standard fillings in certain situations.
Spirit Dental insurance for major services and restorative care
When you need major dental care services, such as an implant, you’ll have to cover the cost of the procedure itself, as well as any exams, X-rays, other treatments, and follow-up appointments your dentist might require. That’s why having the right insurance could help you save a lot of money.
At Spirit Dental, you’ll find restorative dental insurance plans that cover preventive, basic, and major services, so you can rest assured that all levels of care will be covered.
We also offer dental insurance for major services with high annual maximums (up to $5,000), which can be extremely helpful when paying for the most expensive dental procedures. And because you won’t have to worry about waiting periods, you can get the major service you need without delay.
It's easy to get major restorative dental insurance quotes online from Spirit Dental. Don't wait any longer.
Frequently asked questions about major services dental insurance
We understand insurance can be a confusing subject, so we try to keep it simple. But to help clear up any questions you have about major services dental insurance, we have answered a few common questions we hear.
What is the difference between major and basic dental?
Generally, major dental services are pricier because they’re more invasive or complicated. Plus, you might need to see a specialist to undergo a procedure that would fall under the category of major services. For example, an extraction for an impacted wisdom tooth might be considered a major dental procedure, even though a simple extraction might be a basic service.
Is a root canal major or basic?
This procedure might be classified as either a basic service or a major dental service, so it’s wise to check the details of a plan carefully to know what to expect if you ever need a root canal.
Is a dental crown considered restorative?
Yes, a dental crown is considered a dental restorative service because its purpose is to restore a tooth so it will look and function just like your natural teeth.
What does restorative dental treatment mean?
Put simply, restorative dental care is all about fixing teeth that have been damaged or replacing teeth that fell out or had to be extracted.
Sources:
https://www.scottgreenhalghdds.com/blog/what-is-considered-major-restorative-dental-care
https://www.westlakesdentistry.com/dentist-blog/major-dental-care/
https://www.lancasterfamilysmiles.com/blog/most-common-restorative-dentistry-practices-and-how-to-plan-for-them/
https://www.vinninsquaredental.com/what-is-the-difference-between-restorative-dentistry-and-cosmetic-dentistry/
https://www.bennie.com/blog/comparing-preventive-vs-basic-vs-major-dental-services
https://www.animated-teeth.com/dental_insurance/a-dental-insurance-plans-major.htm