To get the most out of your dental insurance, you need to understand what kinds of procedures it covers, as well as what the restrictions and limitations might be. For example, some dental benefits expire at the end of the year, so if you don’t use them between now and December, you lose them.

If you want to take advantage of such benefits, turn to Lowitz & Meier in Cincinnati, OH. Below, the friendly team at this dentist office explores what kinds of procedures are most often covered by dental insurance:

Standard Dental Plans

Every insurance policy is different, but there are certain procedures that most standard dental plans cover. To qualify for these benefits, though, you need to make sure the dentist office you are visiting is in your network. Your insurance provider should be able to confirm if a particular practice is operating under the preferred provider organization (PPO) agreement.

Once you find a dentist in the PPO network, the insurance company should cover 80% to 100% of the costs associated with basic dental care. This might include oral exams, professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants. For more intensive dental work, like root canal treatments and fillings, you can expect insurance to cover 70% to 80% of the cost. When it comes to major restorative work like dentures and crowns, patients usually have to cover about 50% of the cost out of pocket.

More Expensive Dental Plans

Much like health insurance plans, there are tiers of dental benefits. If you want more coverage, you can simply purchase a more expensive plan. For example, some plans include coverage for orthodontic care. If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry work, though, you may have to pay for it out of pocket because even the highest tiers of coverage do not usually cover cosmetic procedures.

If you want to make the most of your dental plan’s maximum annual payout before the year ends, turn to Lowitz & Meier. To learn more about the general and preventative dental services they provide, visit their website. You can make an appointment at this Cincinnati dentist office by calling (513) 521-8900.