I’m looking into getting dental bonding for a chipped tooth, but I’m not sure if insurance will cover it. I’ve heard it’s considered cosmetic, so it might not be covered. Has anyone had this procedure done, and did your insurance help with the cost?
I’ve had dental bonding done for a small crack, and my insurance didn’t cover it because they labeled it as a cosmetic procedure. It was annoying, but I found out some plans will cover bonding if it’s medically necessary. You might want to check with your provider if you have certain conditions that make the bonding necessary, like acid erosion or tooth decay.
@Rory
Thanks for the info! I’ll definitely ask my provider. I don’t think it’s considered medical for me, but worth checking. Did it end up being super expensive for you?
Evansgreen said:
@Rory
Thanks for the info! I’ll definitely ask my provider. I don’t think it’s considered medical for me, but worth checking. Did it end up being super expensive for you?
It wasn’t terrible, but I did have to pay out of pocket. I think it came to about $300. I’ve heard it can range from $100 to $600 depending on the tooth and what needs to be done.
I had bonding done for a gap between my teeth. Insurance didn’t cover it either, but I ended up using a medical credit card to pay it off over time. You can also check if your dentist offers financing options to help spread out the cost.
@Dar
Good idea. I didn’t even think about financing options. I’ll ask my dentist about that. Thanks!
From my experience, it depends a lot on your insurance provider and the reason for the bonding. Some companies will cover it partially if it’s for repairing a decayed tooth, but if it’s purely cosmetic, it’s usually not covered.
@Leighton
Same here. I had bonding done for a discolored tooth from a previous injury, and my insurance helped a bit with the cost because it was related to the injury. Definitely check with your insurance about specifics.
I’m actually in the middle of deciding between bonding and veneers for a chipped tooth. Bonding is way cheaper, but insurance isn’t covering either option. I think it’s because it’s all considered cosmetic unless there’s a medical need.
@Dakota
That’s what I’ve heard too. Bonding is a lot more affordable, but if you want something longer-lasting and you’re okay with paying more, veneers might be the way to go. Just keep in mind that veneers usually aren’t covered either.
For anyone considering bonding, the materials used are strong, but they don’t last as long as crowns or veneers. You might need touch-ups every few years. Also, if your insurance does cover it, make sure you understand what they’ll reimburse before getting it done.
@Lennon
Yeah, I had mine done about 5 years ago, and I already need a touch-up because the resin stained over time. Worth asking your dentist how long the material should last depending on your habits (like coffee drinking).