You may have heard of biological dentistry if you’re searching for a dentist who takes a more holistic approach to oral health. What about insurance coverage? Are biological dentists covered by insurance? Your dental insurance should cover visits to a biological dentist.
The insurance coverage for biological dentistry can vary based on the specific plan and treatments involved. Understanding what your plan covers and discussing potential out-of-pocket expenses with your dentist is essential. This article will examine the relationship between biological dentistry and dental insurance so that you can make an informed decision regarding your oral health.
Are biological dentists covered by insurance?
Yes, you can get insurance to cover visits to a holistic dentist. Holistic dentistry focuses on overall health along with dental care. Dr. John Augsberger explains that while insurance might cover traditional dentistry, it’s less common for holistic approaches. He suggests that dental insurance often focuses on cutting costs rather than prioritizing your health.
Dr. Augsberger argues that insurance companies aim to make profits by reducing payouts, which could affect the quality of care you receive. He mentions that insurance companies often refer to their payments as “benefits” but may still require you to pay a portion of the cost.
However, Dr. Augsberger suggests viewing insurance as a discount for holistic dental services. He assures you that holistic dental clinics handle insurance paperwork and refund you for what you’d typically pay at a regular dentist. This way, you can still benefit from insurance coverage while choosing a holistic approach to dental care.
How much does a biological dentist cost?
Visiting a biological dentist can have varying costs depending on what treatments you need. Here’s a basic guide to give you an idea:
- Consultation: The first visit to a biological dentist might include a thorough check-up. The price can vary, so it’s best to ask the dentist directly.
- Fillings: These are used to fix cavities. At a biological dentist, they might use special materials that cost between $150 and $900.
- Crowns: Crowns are covers for damaged teeth. At a biological dentist, they can cost from $600 to $2,700, depending on the materials.
- Dental implants: These are like artificial tooth roots. Biological dentists may use ceramic implants, which can cost between $2,000 and $6,000 per tooth, or $12,500 to $25,000 for a full set.
- Extra Treatments: Biological dentists might offer other services like removing mercury fillings or alternatives to root canals. These could have extra costs, so it’s good to talk about pricing with the dentist.
Remember, these are just average costs and can change based on where you are, how experienced the dentist is, and how complicated your dental issues are. It’s smart to get a detailed price quote from the biological dentist you pick. You can also find more information here.
Options for Financing Biological Dental Care
1. Examine your insurance. Review your insurance policy to discover what is covered before looking for financing for biological dentists.
2. Check with your biological dentist. Many biological dentists offer financing or payment arrangements to their clientele.
3. Investigate dental loans. Many financial institutions offer dental loans for biological dentistry.
4. Take credit cards into account. A credit card with a low-interest rate or a balance transfer promotion may work for biological dentistry financing.
Research medical credit cards. CareCredit is a medical credit card that finances dental and medical services.
6. Consider Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These accounts can pay medical and dental expenses, including biological dentistry, with pre-tax cash.
7. Talk to a financial advisor. Consult a financial expert if you need help determining which financing plan is right for you.
What is the difference between a regular dentist and a biological dentist?
Normal dentists concentrate on preventive and restorative procedures such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and veneers. This form of dental care primarily aims to mitigate any existing issues or threats to your oral health. Regular dentists have extensive knowledge of oral diagnosis and treating oral conditions.
A biological dentist approaches dental care very differently than a typical general practitioner. Nutrition counseling, biocompatibility testing for materials used in dental treatments, detecting toxins released from mercury fillings with live blood cell analysis, avoiding surgical extraction of teeth if possible through regenerative techniques, etc., are a few examples of the holistic approaches that biological dentists incorporate into their practices. In addition, they employ cutting-edge technologies such as ozone therapy that render bacterial infections harmless by eliminating them without damaging living tissue. In addition to preventive and restorative care, they provide cosmetic services such as orthodontics and facial aesthetics such as Botox.
Biological dentistry necessitates extensive training in naturopathic healthcare modalities, such as acupuncture and homeopathy, complementing conventional medical treatments such as oral surgery and root canals. Biological dentists may prefer to use less-invasive methods instead of extracting infected teeth due to periodontal disease or prescribing potent antibiotics for infection control.
