In the event you or your child needs to have your wisdom teeth removed, you will want to understand how the procedure will be covered by your dental and medical insurance plans.

What is Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Some insurance companies refer to wisdom teeth removal as the removal of the third molars. Dentists normally require wisdom teeth to be removed in order to prevent the following:

• overcrowding of the teeth
• impacted teeth (can't break through the gums)
• infection and damage to other teeth

Even if your dentist says you have wisdom teeth, you might not need to get them removed. It is important to talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about the pros and cons of getting them removed.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Dental insurance usually only covers basic treatments and procedures such as routine examinations, fillings and teeth cleaning. Most dental insurance does not require you to meet your deductible first and you need only pay your monthly premium. There are some dental plans that require you to make an upfront payment called a copay before having certain dental procedures done.

Comprehensive dental plans normally pay the full cost of routine exams, procedures and anything else deemed preventive. For extensive procedures such as root canals and crowns, your dental insurance may not cover the entire cost.

How Does Health Insurance Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Removal of the wisdom teeth is generally considered a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia. Some health insurance plans do not cover any dental procedures. Some plans consider wisdom teeth removal a medical surgical procedure and might offer some coverage. Normally your dentist or oral surgeon will ask you to check with your medical insurance to see if they cover wisdom teeth extraction.

Sometimes, your dental insurance may require whomever is providing the services to submit the claim to the medical insurance first. If they deny it, your dental insurance might cover it. Not all dental and medical plans are the same. Each carrier covers certain benefits which is why it is always the best policy to check with both of them to see how wisdom teeth removal is covered.

While some insurance companies will not cover the cost of the wisdom teeth removal, they still might cover the anesthesia.

It is always the best policy to check with your medical insurance carrier to find out what they will cover when it comes the removal of wisdom teeth or any other kind of invasive dental procedure. To learn more, contact a company like New Image Cosmetic & Family Dentistry with any questions or concerns you have.