Many people dream of making changes to their smiles, but choose to delay the dental work involved because of the associated price. If you’re in a similar situation, you may be wondering whether there is such a thing as cosmetic dental work covered by insurance. At The Foleck Center, we understand that paying for elective procedures like veneers, whitening, or Invisalign® can be a significant investment. That’s why we want to be transparent with you about what services are covered, which ones aren’t, and what payment options are available to you to offset some of those costs. Thanks to flexible financing and wellness plans, many of these procedures are still quite affordable.
Below are the general rules about cosmetic dental work covered by insurance, exceptions, and financing options specifically available through our practice that you can access.
Is Cosmetic Dental Work Covered by Insurance? Yes, and No.
General Exclusion of Cosmetic Procedures
In most cases, cosmetic dental work is not covered by traditional dental insurance because it is considered an elective service that is focused primarily on aesthetic improvements, rather than treatments that are deemed medically necessary — think fillings, root canals, or extractions.
Examples of non-covered procedures include:
- Veneers. These are custom-made shells applied to the front of your teeth to correct imperfections, such as chips, cracks, or discoloration.
- Teeth Whitening. Like the name implies, whitening is a purely cosmetic enhancement to change the shade of your teeth.
- Smile Makeovers. This includes a full set of cosmetic treatments designed to enhance the appearance of your smile — including veneers, bonding, and whitening.
Although these services are not covered, many patients choose to invest in them because they still offer significant aesthetic benefits, and can go a long way to helping people feel happier about how they look.
When Cosmetic Procedures Have Medical Necessity
There are situations in which insurance may provide partial coverage for certain cosmetic treatments because they also address medical issues. Here are a few examples:
- Crowns. If a crown is being used to restore a decayed or broken tooth and it has a functional purpose (such as improving chewing ability), insurance may cover part of the cost.
- Bridges or Implants. If these procedures are being used to replace missing teeth and restore proper function, they may also be covered. However, the cosmetic aspect of the procedure (like the final crown or bridge restoration) may still require an out-of-pocket payment.
- Orthodontics. In some cases, Invisalign or traditional braces may be covered by insurance if they are being used to correct bite problems that affect overall oral health.
It’s important to check with your specific insurance provider to determine the exact coverage for these types of procedures. At The Foleck Center, we can also verify this information with your provider on your behalf.
Payment Options and Financing Available at The Foleck Center
Although the answer to the question “Is cosmetic dental work covered by insurance?” is typically “No,” there are several financing options available to make treatment more accessible. The Foleck Center has been helping patients in Hampton Coliseum for years by offering flexible solutions that have allowed them to get the smiles that they’ve wanted without the financial heartache.
Cherry Financing at The Foleck Center
One of the easiest ways to cover the cost of your cosmetic dental work is through Cherry Financing, where you pay in monthly installments.
Cherry makes this process very straightforward, with an easy application, instant approval, flexible payment plans, and no hidden fees.
- You can apply directly through our website in a matter of minutes.
- Once you apply, you’ll receive an instant decision regarding your approval and credit limit.
- You may qualify for interest-free payments.
- Financing is transparent, with no complicated terms.
Using Cherry Financing, you can begin your cosmetic dental treatments without having to pay the full cost up front.
Wellness Plans at The Foleck Center
In addition to financing, we also offer tiered wellness plans that can provide patients with discounts on a wide range of dental procedures. Click here for a full list of services that are included and discounted based on the type of plan that you select. Please note: our wellness plans cannot be used or combined with any in-network insurance plan that you may already have.
Combined Payment Options
Although insurance may not cover the full cost of cosmetic dental work, patients can either combine their insurance benefits with flexible financing from Cherry, or combine Cherry with one of our wellness plans.
We Make Cosmetic Dental Work Affordable
There are ways to make dental procedures financially attainable. If you’re in Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, or Norfolk, and you’d like to learn more about flexible payment options for services like veneers, whitening, or Invisalign, we’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule a consultation. 800-800-8000
