Insurance companies offer a wide variety of medical coverage, and dental insurance is one of them.
For many people, this is a cost-effective option because the vast majority of dental treatments are not covered by Social Security.
The main advantage of dental insurance is the convenience of paying a fixed annual fee, although it is not always a cheap figure.
Before deciding to take out this type of insurance, it is important to assess whether we are going to spend that amount at the dentist in a year.
Above all, it is important to know what each policy covers and whether it includes several members of a family.
In this article, we explain the pros and cons of having dental insurance and whether it is the most convenient for you.
How do I know if I need dental insurance?
First of all, it is important to keep in mind that each insurer offers different types of policies.
Those that include a smaller number of treatments are usually the most basic ones, which only cover procedures such as dental extractions, X-rays or prophylaxis.
In fact, taking out this type of insurance is not usually worthwhile, as the annual cost exceeds the cost of the interventions themselves and it may not even be necessary to undergo them every year.
Dental hygiene
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RADIOGRAPHY
The question you should ask yourself if you are thinking of taking out insurance is whether it is really going to pay off in the long term.
Depending on the company and the type of insurance policy, it is possible to access discounts or even certain dental treatments free of charge.
However, we must assess whether we really need these procedures.
For example, dental hygiene is recommended once a year.
If we maintain correct oral cleaning routines, taking care of our teeth and gums, it will not be necessary to visit the dentist on more occasions.
Therefore, in this case, the patient is paying for treatments that he/she does not really need.
Read the fine print
If you have dental insurance, check which treatments are covered and which are not, as you may have to pay a fee.
What if I’m going to start treatments that last more than a year?
Dental insurance seems a particularly attractive option for families with children.
Younger children tend to require more frequent visits to the dentist, especially if they are prone to tooth cavities.
Likewise, starting a treatment that will require monthly check-ups by the dentist, such as orthodontics, may be a reason to take it out.
However, by analyzing in depth how dental insurance works, it is possible to come to the conclusion that it is not always the right choice.
Focusing on the example of a child who needs dental appliances, it seems logical to think that it is advisable to have the same professional examine the child for the duration of the treatment.
Only the expert who has carefully planned his orthodontics will be able to follow his progress and determine whether, at the end, the desired result has been obtained.
Orthodontic planning
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ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
However, staff turnover in insurers’ own centers is usually higher than in private dental clinics.
In addition, it is not common to find dental insurance that covers more technologically advanced treatments.
We are talking about sapphire brackets, clear aligners (Invisalign) or lingual orthodontics (Incognito).
These appliances require an enormous investment and preparation on the part of the dentist, and it is not profitable for the companies’ centers to offer these innovative treatments.
Advantages and disadvantages of having dental insurance
One of the benefits of taking out insurance is the possibility of visiting different medical centers.
The insured person not only has access to a wide range of dentists, but it is also possible to choose between the company’s own clinics or others with which it has an agreement.
This facility, which seems to be an enormous advantage, can turn into a lack of thoroughness in the work of the professional.
Because they do not know their patients in depth, procedures and interventions lack the personalization required for their success.
In addition, these dentists provide all types of treatment.
Having general dentists would not be a drawback if we could all perform all oral procedures with the same skill.
However, they perform treatments in different areas of dentistry, such as dental implants, reconstructions, veneers, endodontics, orthodontics…
Follow-up photograph
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PHOTOGRAPH OF A PATIENT
On the other hand, it is possible that waiting times will be shortened and policyholders will spend less time in line before entering the dental office.
But to achieve these savings in waiting time, it is inevitable to cut the time a person spends in the chair.
This is why the work ends up being less thorough, as the quantity of patients seen is more important than quality.
Why choose a private dental clinic
Although having dental insurance may seem cheaper than starting treatment at a private clinic, the truth is that when it comes to health, more factors need to be taken into account.
Dentists who are specialists in your area
First of all, it is essential to know that you are putting yourself in the hands of a specialized professional, with years of experience in their field.
At the Dental DrAW Clinic we have doctors who are dedicated exclusively to their specialty, so that they carry out the same treatments every day.
It is not the same to have placed 50 implants as 5,000, which adds extra value to their work.
Dental insurance does not offer the same benefits and advantages as a private dental clinic.
Technological innovation
We also invest in technology to keep up with the latest advances in dentistry.
Thus, we have a 3D printer, a 3D intraoral scanner, microscope, CT scanner, etc.
All this directly benefits the patient, who not only receives a personalized and individual treatment, but also the waiting times in the production of prostheses, crowns, veneers, etc. are substantially shortened.
While insurance companies do not have this type of technology, the person may have to travel to another center for specific tests such as a panoramic X-ray.
This entails many inconveniences, not only the fact of going to another place, but also the wait before making an appointment.
Our clinic has all the necessary equipment so that the patient does not have to travel, but all dental tests are performed at the same time.
And not only that, but we work with a dental laboratory exclusively, which ensures speed and accuracy in the preparation.
Quality materials
While not all private dental clinics are able to work with quality materials due to their high cost and specialty, at Dental DrAW Clinic we work for the comfort of the patient.
For this reason, in Dental Aesthetics we have Lumineers and E.Max veneers, the most aesthetic and resistant in the market.
Placement of veneers
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DENTAL ESTHETICS
We also place zirconium crowns.
In Orthodontics, we work with traditional brackets, but we also give patients the possibility to choose between more discreet and even invisible appliances.
Thus, we work with lingual brackets, such as Incognito, removable clear aligners, such as Invisalign, and Sapphire brackets.
All this gives value to the work we offer, and is that to ensure the success of a treatment is essential to have an experienced professional, advanced technology and the assurance that it will be the same person who will do the follow-up.
Now that you know the limitations of having dental insurance compared to going to a clinic that truly meets your expectations, you can come and see us whenever you wish.
The first appointment is free and we will give you a complete diagnosis, along with a free estimate.
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