Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Bonding Procedures and Costs?

Does Dental Insurance Cover Bonding?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. During bonding, a dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin material to the tooth surface and sculpts it into shape before hardening it with a special light. The resin bonds to the tooth structure to create a natural-looking repair or improvement.

Bonding is a relatively affordable and quick way to fix minor tooth flaws. But like all dental work, it comes at a cost. If you're considering bonding, you may wonder if your dental insurance helps pay for it. Here's what you should know about bonding and insurance coverage.

Types of Dental Insurance Plans

Dental insurance plans generally fall into three main categories:

• Dental health maintenance organizations (DHMO) - Also known as dental HMOs, these plans require you to see an in-network dentist who provides care at set fees. Office visit copays, typically $5-15, are your only out-of-pocket costs for covered services. DHMOs fully cover preventive care but have yearly maximums for other services.
• Preferred provider organizations (PPO) - PPOs allow you to visit any licensed dentist, but using in-network dentists will save you more. After meeting a deductible (often $50-100), you pay a percentage of costs for covered services (commonly 10-50%).
• Indemnity plans - Also called dental fee-for-service plans, these plans reimburse you for a percentage of the cost of covered services after you meet a deductible. You may visit any dentist but will pay less with network dentists.

Does Insurance Cover Bonding?

Cosmetic dental procedures like bonding are generally not covered by dental insurance. Most plans only cover services deemed medically necessary. Bonding is usually considered elective since it's done to improve appearance rather than health.

However, exceptions may apply in certain situations:

• Repairing damage from injury - If bonding fixes chipped or fractured teeth resulting from an accident or injury, it may be covered under the accident-related dental treatment provision found in many dental plans.
• Filling a cavity on a front tooth - If a cavity on a visible front tooth is filled with a tooth-colored composite resin rather than silver amalgam, insurance may cover it since the composite has cosmetic advantage.
• Repairing congenital defects - Bonding congenital tooth abnormalities like gaps, discoloration, or abnormal shape may also be covered by some plans.

So while insurance doesn't cover bonding solely for cosmetic reasons, exceptions exist for bonding done for certain restorative or health purposes. Check your specific dental policy to see what types of services are covered.

Does Insurance Cover Related Procedures?

In addition to the bonding procedure itself, there are preparatory and follow-up treatments that may be needed. Whether insurance helps pay for these depends on the service:

• Initial exam - The initial dental exam to assess candidacy for bonding is usually covered at normal plan rates like other exams.
• Teeth cleaning - A professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar prior to bonding is generally covered at regular intervals.
• Tooth reshaping - Cosmetic tooth reshaping or contouring to prepare teeth for bonding is not covered.
• Anesthesia - Local anesthesia administered during the procedure is covered as part of the overall cost of dental treatment.
• Temporary restorations - These short-term repairs made before permanent bonding are typically not covered.
• Follow-up visits - Post-procedure follow-up exams may be covered per policy limits on oral exams.

In general, necessary medical treatments related to the bonding process are more likely to be covered compared to preparatory cosmetic treatments. Your insurance provider can confirm which related services they reimburse.

Does Bonding Affect Your Insurance?

Getting bonding work does not affect your eligibility for dental insurance or increase your rates. Dental insurers do not consider past dental history when setting premiums. However, extensive dental treatment can impact annual maximums.

Most dental plans have an annual limit on covered expenses, commonly $1000-1500 per person. Any amount spent on covered services counts toward this allowance. While bonding likely won't be covered, related covered procedures like exams or teeth cleanings still accumulate toward the cap on benefits.

Reaching the plan maximum means you must pay 100% of any additional dental costs for the remainder of the policy year. People who get significant non-covered cosmetic treatment plus covered maintenance care may hit the limit faster.

Can a Health Savings Account Pay for Bonding?

If you have a health savings account (HSA), you may be able to use pretax funds to pay for bonding. An HSA lets you contribute tax-deductible dollars and make tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

Bonding itself is not an eligible HSA expense since it's cosmetic. However, associated medical treatments required to safely receive bonding may qualify, including:

• The initial dental exam
• Necessary anesthesia
• Treatment of bonding-related complications

You'd need to pay for the cosmetic bonding procedure out of pocket. But you could withdraw HSA money tax-free later to cover certain related medical costs. You can also claim these expenses as itemized tax deductions if you don't use your HSA.

Does Bonding Count Toward Dental Deductibles?

Most dental plans have an annual deductible you must pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Common amounts are $50 for an individual or $150 for a family.

The cost of cosmetic dental bonding does not count toward satisfying your annual dental deductible. However, covered services associated with bonding may be applied toward the deductible if you haven't met it yet that year.

For example, if you have a $75 deductible and get a $60 covered oral exam before bonding, that $60 would go toward your deductible balance. Any other eligible dental care you receive that year brings you closer to meeting the deductible.

Strategies to Reduce Bonding Costs

While insurance usually doesn't cover cosmetic bonding, you can take steps to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses:

• Shop around - Get quotes from a few dentists to find the most affordable rates for bonding in your area.
• Ask about discounts - See if the dental office offers any discounts for paying the full bonding cost upfront rather than billing your insurance.
• Consider dental schools - Dental colleges often provide bonding and other services at reduced prices.
• Discuss payment plans - Many dentists offer no-interest or low-interest monthly payment plans for patients who can't pay the full bonding cost at once.
• Time it right - Schedule bonding after you've met your annual deductible to minimize related covered expenses.

Using strategies like these can help you get the smile you want without overspending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dental insurance cover teeth bonding?

In most cases, no. Dental insurance typically only covers medically necessary procedures and considers bonding cosmetic. But exceptions exist if bonding repairs accident damage, fills cavities, or fixes congenital defects.

Is teeth bonding considered a medical procedure?

No, bonding is generally considered cosmetic rather than medical, since it improves appearance and is not required for health. However, bonding to fix dental injury or decay may be deemed medically necessary.

Does dental cover teeth contouring for bonding?

Dental insurance does not cover tooth contouring or reshaping solely to prepare teeth for bonding. Since it's a cosmetic preparatory procedure, you'll pay the full cost out of pocket.

Can I use HSA for dental bonding?

You cannot use a health savings account (HSA) to pay for cosmetic dental bonding itself. But you may use HSA funds for associated medical exams, anesthesia, or treatment of complications from the procedure.

Is there insurance that covers dental bonding?

Most standard dental policies don't include cosmetic bonding coverage. However, supplemental dental plans you can buy directly from insurance companies sometimes offer a benefit allowance that can be applied to bonding.

Does my insurance go up if I get dental bonding?

Getting dental bonding will not cause your dental insurance premiums to increase. Insurers do not factor in your dental treatment history when setting rates.

Is bonding expensive without insurance?

Bonding typically costs $300-$600 per tooth without insurance. Front teeth cost less while back teeth are more. Overall, bonding is relatively affordable compared to other cosmetic dental treatments.

Should I get an HSA for dental work?

Contributing to an HSA can be smart if you need extensive dental treatment not covered by insurance. An HSA lets you pay associated medical costs tax-free. Plus, it acts like a retirement account, gaining tax-deferred interest.

What insurance pays for dental bonding?

Most dental policies don't cover bonding, but supplemental plans you buy individually from insurance companies sometimes offer a benefit allowance that can be used for bonding. Accident riders on dental or medical insurance may also cover bonding for fractured teeth.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.