If you’re looking for a way to try and save money, you might have thought about skipping your dental appointments in favor of simply brushing and flossing more thoroughly. However, this is often a mistake from both a financial and oral health perspective. The truth is that visiting the dentist regularly will ultimately help you save money, especially if you use your dental insurance benefits. Here’s how your biannual appointments can be good for your bank account.
How Dental Checkups Save You Money
Did you know that cavities and gum disease often develop silently? That means you might not even notice that they’re there until they’ve already reached their most severe stages that require complex treatments. In other words, leaving oral health issues alone could cost you in the long run.
However, if you visit your dentist twice a year, they’ll be able to identify tooth decay and other problems while they’re still small and easy to manage. They can often reverse any damage with basic treatments such as fillings, thus allowing you to enjoy a healthy smile again while avoiding more expensive care.
How Dental Insurance Makes Your Care More Affordable
Usually, a standard dental visit will include an examination and a professional cleaning; it might also involve an X-ray. The overall cost of your appointment will usually be around a couple of hundred dollars. However, many dental insurance plans provide full coverage for preventive services, and oftentimes, they’ll waive the deductible for your biannual appointments. The result is that it’s much easier to fit the care you need to protect your smile into your budget.
Naturally, dental insurance will also help pay for restorative treatments to address existing oral health problems. Bear in mind, though, that most plans provide higher coverage for more basic types of care. A filling, for example, might receive 80% coverage under many plans while root canal therapy often only receives 50% coverage. As such, you’ll save more money if you’re proactive about visiting the dentist as soon as you notice warning signs of a dental issue.
How Your Dentist Can Help You Save
Most dental practices accept a wide variety of dental plans and will file any necessary claims on your behalf so that you can get the benefits you’re entitled to. If you don’t have insurance, your dentist may be able to offer other options for making your care more affordable. For example, they might have an in-house savings plan you can sign up for, or they can help you apply for third-party financing through CareCredit.
Paying for dental care today could potentially help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the long term. Take the initiative in protecting your smile and your wallet by scheduling a consultation today.
About the Practice
At Torrington Dental Care, our dental experts combine their knowledge and experience to provide patients with world-class oral health care in a family-friendly environment. Our practice accepts over 200 dental insurance plans. We also offer an in-house savings plan for uninsured patients. To schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (860) 259-4073.