DENTAL INSURANCE
When you think about dental procedures, fillings and cleanings probably come to mind. But there may come a time when you or a family member will need more extensive treatments than those.
If you develop functional issues, have cosmetic concerns, or get gum disease, there are a variety of major dental procedures that can get your dental health back on track. Here’s a look at some of these procedures and what’s involved.
Dental plans often categorize procedures into different classes of dental care:
A major dental procedure, requires a skilled dentist or specialist, like a periodontist, endodontist, or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.2 They’re typically covered at a lower percentage than preventive or basic services by your dental plan.
Major dental procedures can be divided into restorative and cosmetic care. Major restorative dental procedures aim to address issues with function of your teeth and jaws, such as by fixing broken teeth, restoring weak teeth, or replacing damaged or missing teeth altogether.3
Common restorative dental procedures include:
Major cosmetic dental procedures focus more on the aesthetic component of your teeth and jaws. They aim to make your smile more even, white, and straight.
Common cosmetic dental procedures include:
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Understanding cosmetic dentistry
While restorative dental work focuses on the health and function of your teeth, gums, and jaws, cosmetic dentistry aims to elevate the aesthetic quality of your smile.
Popular cosmetic dental procedures include:
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Exploring restorative dentistry
The purpose of restorative dentistry is right in the name: It seeks to restore the optimal function of your teeth, gums, and jaw. That might mean fixing weak or broken teeth or replacing missing teeth.3
Restorative dental care is more likely to be covered by dental insurance than cosmetic dentistry, since it is medically necessary.
Common procedures include:
Some major dental procedures, like dental implants and dental crowns, can be either restorative or cosmetic.
Major dental procedures: costs and considerations
Major dental procedures often involve multiple points of care, including imaging, modeling, fabrication of artificial teeth or implants, placement, or even surgery. So they tend to be more expensive than preventive and basic dental care.
Check your dental insurance policy to see how much you might pay out-of-pocket for a procedure. If you have a health savings account, or HSA, check to see if you can if your HSA to cover your dental expenses. You may be able to save by using an in-network dentist or specialist.
Besides the coverage your insurance provides, what you’ll ultimately pay for a major dental procedure will depend on a variety of factors:
Managing the cost of major dental procedures
Dental insurance can help pay for your procedure, depending on the coverage you have. Some popular types of dental insurance plans are PPO plans and DHMO plans. Generally, when you need a major dental procedure, you’ll pay your deductible (if you haven’t met it already), then your insurance will pay part of the bill, and you’ll be responsible for the rest. This cost-sharing is typically calculated as a percentage. For instance, your plan may cover 50% of the cost of major dental procedures.1 If you have a dental discount plan, be sure to check the prices and providers for the procedures you may need, since these plans do not offer coverage like insurance, but rather discounted rates at participating providers.
Many dental practices also offer financing, either directly through the office or through a third-party lender. Usually, you’ll make a down payment at the beginning of treatment, then regular monthly payments until the balance is paid off. Interest rates are often low, and some practices don’t charge any interest at all.16,17
How MetLife supports major dental procedures
If you have MetLife dental insurance through your employer, it may help you with the costs for major restorative dental procedures. There may be limits based on patient age and the frequency of care, but plans could provide coverage for:
Choosing the right dental procedure
TIf you’re struggling with tooth pain, functional problems, gum disease, or cosmetic concerns that affect your well-being, you may be wondering how to decide which dental procedures are right for your situation. Consulting with your dentist is always best, but here are some questions to ask yourself to help prepare for your discussion:
Your dentist, who knows your mouth and circumstances, can help you create a treatment plan. Schedule a dental consultation, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to ask another dentist for a second opinion before commencing dental work.
Depending on the nature of the procedures you need, consulting with a specialist could also help you make the best choice for you. Dental specialists include:
The risks and benefits of major dental procedures
Benefits to consider include:
Risks to consider include:
Patient experiences with major dental procedures
If you need a major dental procedure, you may be wondering what to expect — and how recovery will go.
Gum surgery and recovery
If you have gum recession resulting from gum disease, your dentist may recommend gum graft surgery. The goal of the surgery is to keep tooth roots protected and to prevent further gum and bone loss.21
During this procedure, a periodontist will remove tissue from the roof of your mouth or from a tissue bank and graft it to the recessed areas of your gums.11
After the procedure, you may experience some bleeding, soreness, and swelling. You’ll need to avoid hard, crunchy foods for at least a week and avoid brushing and flossing directly on the graft until your periodontist gives you the go-ahead. The average recovery timeline is about two weeks.11
Dental implant procedure and recovery
A dental implant is the artificial equivalent of the root of a tooth. Your dentist or oral surgeon will insert the implant into your jawbone, where it will eventually fuse with your bone in a process called osseointegration.
It will take three to nine months for this to happen, and you may wear a temporary tooth in the meantime. Once you’re healed, you’ll return to the dentist, and they’ll add the crown, bridge, or dentures you’ll wear permanently. 22
It will take three to nine months for this to happen, and you may wear a temporary tooth in the meantime. Once you’re healed, you’ll return to the dentist, and they’ll add the crown, bridge, or dentures you’ll wear permanently. 23
Veneer placement and recovery
If your dentist decides that veneers are a good solution to your situation, they’ll remove enamel from your teeth and take either a putty mold or digital impression of your teeth. Your veneers, customized to fit your mouth, will arrive in a few weeks, and your dentist will bond them permanently to your teeth.
Since your veneers will act like normal teeth, there’s no recovery period per se. Veneer maintenance is very similar to maintaining natural teeth, as well.7
Tooth extraction and recovery
If you have an infected or broken tooth that needs to be removed entirely, your dentist will gently loosen it and pull it out, including the root. They may place a graft in the tooth’s place to avoid bone recession in the jaw and/or stitch up the socket.
You may experience mild bruising, swelling, and soreness (particularly on day three of recovery). But you should feel back to normal in about a week.25
Dental procedure recovery tips
Your dentist will give you specific instructions for post-procedure care. But generally, you’ll want to:
Technological advancements in dental treatments
Technology has transformed — and continues to transform — the dental industry. It has revolutionized diagnosis, smile design, radiography, and treatments themselves.
Some dental innovations include:
3D printing
3D printing in dentistry allows providers to make virtual models of patient teeth to create accurate, customized crowns, bridges, and other restorative tooth replacements.26 Another form of 3D printing, called material jetting, allows the printing of crowns, dentures, implants, and more directly.
Digital imaging
Digital imaging produces clearer images that can make it easier for dentists to detect cavities, see smaller details of teeth and tissues for gum disease diagnosis, and more accurately measure bone loss.27
Laser treatments
Lasers have been found to have many applications in dentistry, including:
The most effective way to whiten your teeth is to receive treatment at your dentist’s office. Dentists have access to more concentrated peroxides and even lasers that can improve your results.30,31
With proper care, meaning brushing twice per day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist at their recommended intervals, your veneers could last between 10 and 15 years before needing to be replaced.7
You may need to take antibiotics before your tooth extraction procedure, since there is a risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream through the open tooth socket. Other than that, just make sure you’re clear about your medical history and medications with your dentist, and ask any questions you have before the appointment.32
