Gum disease is a sinister threat to your oral and overall health, and it’s best to prevent it by practicing excellent oral hygiene and receiving regular dental care. Many people use dental insurance to make necessary oral health services more affordable, and the benefits associated with these plans do not usually carry over from one year to the next. Here’s a quick look at how dental insurance policies work and how you can make the most of the coverage you pay for by preventing or treating gum disease.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Most dental insurance policies cover routine preventive care such as checkups, cleanings, and X-rays by 100% since these services can keep clients healthy and rates low by negating the need for more costly restorative work. However, insurance plans usually also cover restorative work such as gum disease treatment, fillings, crowns, and root canals by 50% to 80%.
Most people with PPO plans have to meet a deductible before their policies will start paying for restorative care, and the deductible will reset at the beginning of the next year. Accordingly, it’s often best to receive necessary restorative work before the end of the year so it can qualify for coverage before the deductible resets again. Receiving needed gum disease treatment can prevent a worsening oral infection that will be more painful, destructive, and costly to treat later on.
How Can My Dentist Treat Gum Disease?
If caught in its early stage called gingivitis, gum disease can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene habits. However, advanced cases of gum disease called periodontitis will usually need to be resolved with scaling and root planing. This process typically takes two appointments scheduled about two weeks apart, and they usually go like this:
- Scaling: This involves using specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and the pockets of the gums.
- Root planing: This process includes removing plaque and tartar from beneath the gumline, including along the roots of the teeth. This also involves smoothing out the dental roots so they can more easily integrate with the gum tissue as the patient heals.
Don’t let gum disease destroy your gorgeous smile. Receiving necessary preventive and restorative care can help your grin stay healthy and beautiful for life.
About the Author
Dr. Saffa Alani earned her dental degree at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and was voted as one of America’s Top Dentists in 2018. She is proud to be a member of the American Dental Association and the Colorado Dental Association. Her office in Denver offers general, restorative, cometic, and emergency dentistry as well as gum disease treatment. If you are concerned about gum disease, contact her practice online or dial (303) 337-3000.