For people who are insecure about how their teeth look, veneers have become an increasingly popular option. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front surface of your teeth.
Typically made from porcelain or composite resin, dental veneers are used to improve the appearance of your teeth. They can be used to fix a variety of issues, such as gaps between teeth, misshapen teeth, discoloration, or damage to the enamel.
One of the reasons veneers are so popular is that they can give you a completely new smile in just a couple of dental visits. They’re also very durable and can last for many years if you care for them properly. The process of getting veneers typically involves removing a small amount of tooth enamel, taking impressions of your teeth, and then bonding the veneers to the front of your teeth.
Unfortunately, like all good dental care, veneers can be expensive. For this reason, many people looking to get veneers try to go through their health insurance. Will insurance pay for veneers, considering they’re a cosmetic procedure?
Let’s look at the expenses involved before going into what insurance might pay for.
What do veneers cost?
The cost of veneers can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of veneers used, the location of the dental practice, and the experience of the dentist. The reality is that getting veneers from a specialist with a great reputation will cost a lot more than going with a less experienced dentist, even if they are using the same materials.
The materials do make a significant difference, though. Porcelain veneers tend to be more expensive than composite resin veneers, but they are also more durable and natural-looking. On average, the cost of a single porcelain veneer can range from $925 to $2,500, while the cost of a composite veneer can range from $250 to $1,500.
In addition, the number of veneers needed can also affect the cost. If you’re only getting veneers for one or two teeth, the cost will be lower than if you’re getting veneers for multiple teeth.
Most people don’t have this type of money available for veneers. This is why people look to their insurers for solutions.
Does health insurance cover veneers?
In general, health insurance policies do not cover the cost of veneers as they are considered a cosmetic dental procedure and not medically necessary. This is similar to surgical cosmetic procedures like face lifts.
However, there may be some exceptions to this rule if the veneers are being used to correct a functional problem, such as a bite issue or a broken tooth that causes pain or difficulty eating. Your dentist will have to justify the medical necessity of your veneers in order to get your insurer to pay.
What about other types of insurance?
Do other kinds of insurance cover dental veneers? There are a number of types of insurance you should have that you might consider turning to. Nearly every adult should have term life insurance. However, while it will pay out $50,000 to $1,500,000 in case of your sudden death, you cannot withdraw from it to pay for veneers.
What about car insurance? This may seem a strange question at first, considering car insurance exists to pay for car collisions. But your teeth may be damaged in a collision, leading you to require cosmetic veneers.
However, car insurance does not cover the cost of veneers in a collision. Car insurance is designed to provide financial coverage for damages to your vehicle and for injuries or property damage you may cause to others in the event of a car accident.
Since veneers are considered a cosmetic dental procedure, car insurance is not designed to cover them even if an accident causes damage to your teeth.
Ultimately, you’re unlikely to get any insurance payouts for veneers, unless they are medically required. Even then, your insurer may only pay a part of the full sum.