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While veneers may seem like a good option to help you feel more confident with your teeth, they may not be a financially sound choice. This can be true even if you have dental insurance plan, as veneers are usually considered to be one of cosmetic dentistry procedures not covered by insurance. Paying with veneers with dental insurance may not always be possible.
However, your smile is usually the first thing people see when they look at you, and everyone wants a nice one. If dental insurance doesn’t cover veneers, you can use other options to avoid paying for your veneers with a single lump sum of cash. You can speak with your dentist to go over the options before seeking out alternative payment options for veneers.
Can You Pay for Veneers With Dental Insurance?
Getting veneers is usually considered to be cosmetic dentistry that is not medically necessary in the vast majority of instances. While some insurance companies may offer coverage for veneers, most insurers will not pay for this procedure. Veneers are covers that go over your teeth to hide imperfections such as misalignment and discoloration, which means that they do not correct a medical issue in the same way that crowns do. While they are very thin and go on the outer part of your teeth in the front, they can be quite expensive.
Dental insurance pays for medically necessary dental procedures and care. Veneers are a procedure that falls under cosmetic dentistry, meaning you elect to get veneers but they are not medically necessary. Dental coverage can be very specific, and some dental insurance policies may not even cover some of the essential treatments and procedures that your dentist deems medically necessary. For example, sealants have a medical usage and purpose but are still not covered under most dental insurance plans for adults. This means that the chances of your dental insurance covering veneers is very small (though not impossible). Review the specifics of your plan to be sure, but you should assume that your plan will not cover the cost of your veneers.
Payment Plans
While most dental insurance does not cover veneers, many dental offices offer payment plans. These payment plans usually involve third-party lenders through which you need to get approved before you can schedule your procedure. Approval is usually based on factors like your credit score and approximate income.
For most payment plans, especially those that help pay for a number of different out-of-pocket dental costs and not just veneers, you have to pay interest on the money you borrow. In addition, if you go through a third-party lender, such as CareCredit, you’ll only be allowed to go to the dental care providers that they have approved on their list. Your dentist can help you learn more about requirements and options for treatment within their clinic's payment plan network.
Dental Loans
Taking out a dental loan is a good option to pay for veneers if you have good credit. Through a dental loan, you may be able to get lower monthly payments and a more competitive fixed rate on the loan. However, interest will still need to be paid, so the veneers as a whole will end up being more expensive. For some lenders, you need to specify exactly what you’re using the loan for, which means that you may not qualify for use of the loan on cosmetic procedures.
Low-Interest Credit Cards
You can also easily get a low-interest credit card if you have decent credit. As opposed to the lump sum that a personal dental loan can offer, a low-interest credit card can offer a revolving credit line. However, if you don’t pay the credit bill in full each month, interest will have to be paid to the credit card issuer, which essentially increases the cost of the veneers overall.
Dental Programs
Some dental practices offer in-house dental programs. These programs are typically for those patients who don’t have dental insurance at all, but you may be able to take advantage of a plan in order to pay for veneers. These programs are usually limited to certain dental procedures, but if porcelain veneers are covered, then you may be able to get a considerable discount if you join the program for a low monthly fee.
Review Your Dental Coverage
Before any major procedure or dental visit, you should review your dental coverage. Typically dental insurance covers basic procedures and treatments that aid in your oral health, including cleanings, x-rays and fillings. Even if there are no limits to what your dental insurance can cover, you may still have an annual maximum, so even if you could get veneers, the cost of them may exceed this annual maximum.
It’s important to review your dental coverage to know exactly what is and isn’t covered. You don’t want to be caught in the middle of a procedure and find out that your insurance plan doesn’t actually cover it. Out-of-pocket dental costs can be detrimental financially. Make sure you know the ins and outs of your policy before heading to the dental office or start considering veneers.
Ask Your Dentist for More Options
You may be able to access other dental options besides porcelain veneers that your dentist may be able to offer. No matter if you can afford to pay for your veneers in cash or if you’re looking at financing, it’s a good idea to consider all the options before deciding to schedule an appointment for veneers. The following ideas are some options that you can discuss with your dentist to see if they’re a better choice depending on your reasoning for wanting veneers.
- Teeth whitening: If you’re considering veneers because you are dissatisfied with the color of your teeth, then teeth whitening may be a better option. Veneers require maintenance and are costly, whereas professional teeth whitening can cost much less money and does not require as much upkeep. Most dentists offer teeth whitening services, which means that you won’t have trouble finding a clinic to schedule an appointment or consultation.
- Crowns: If you’re looking at getting veneers to repair a cracked, chipped or decaying tooth, crowns may be a better option. Crowns are essentially caps that are tooth-like and are put right on top of your existing tooth. If you already have a crown or a filling that is too large, you may not be eligible for veneers to begin with. In addition, crowns are typically covered by dental insurance if they’re considered medically necessary.
- Braces: Braces may be considered as an alternative to veneers if you’re trying to get straighter teeth. Braces can also help with tooth gaps, overbites and underbites. While the look of braces may not be as appealing as veneers, they may be a better option financially. You may also choose to invest in a clear alternative treatment that’s less visually noticeable (like Invisalign braces).
- Dental bonding: Dental bonding is a simple procedure that is done to fix chips or cracks in teeth. The bonding process is fairly quick, ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. It’s a much cheaper option and can help with the look of your teeth if you were considering veneers because of cracking or chipping in your front teeth. Dental bonding also doesn’t require much enamel to be scraped from your teeth, which makes it a healthier option for your teeth when compared to veneers.
Best Dental Insurance for Veneers
Even if you cannot pay for veneers with dental insurance, maintaining a comprehensive insurance policy can help improve your overall oral health, which will in turn help your smile shine brighter. Benzinga offers insights and reviews on the following dental insurance providers. You may want to consider beginning your search for dental insurance coverage using the links below.
- Best For:Young adults and families with children and teenssecurely through Guardian Dental Insurance's website
Frequently Asked Questions
How do most people pay for veneers?
Most people pay for veneers through some sort of dental financing. Whether this is a payment plan through the dental office or a third-party lender, it is the easiest option if you can’t afford to pay for veneers out of pocket. However, insurance will pay for veneers in some rare cases, but you need to speak with your insurance provider to determine if this is possible. You usually won’t be able to count on your insurance to provide coverage for porcelain veneers because they are largely cosmetic procedures.
Can veneers be medically necessary?
It is very rare for veneers to be medically necessary. The reasons for getting veneers, including yellow teeth, misalignment, uneven teeth or chips and cracked teeth, are typically for improving your confidence in your appearance, which makes them a cosmetic dental work. None of the reasons pose a threat to your oral health.
What is a cheaper alternative to dental veneers?
An affordable alternative to dental veneers is dental bonding.
How much do veneers cost?
What are the reasons for disqualification for veneers?
More on Dental Insurance
Dental Insurance Methodology
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