Dental Procedures To Consider Before Your Insurance Benefits Expire

As the year comes to a close, many people are busy preparing for the holidays, wrapping up tasks, and setting New Year’s resolutions. But there’s one crucial thing you shouldn’t ignore—your dental insurance benefits. 

Most plans operate on a ‘use it or lose it’ policy, meaning any unused benefits will disappear when the year resets. To help you make the most of your coverage, here are key dental procedures you should consider before your benefits expire.

Key Dental Treatments To Schedule Before Your Insurance Benefits Run Out

1. Routine Check-ups and Cleanings: The First Step in Preventive Care

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to use your dental benefits is to schedule your routine check-ups and cleanings. Most insurance plans cover these services 100%, making them an ideal way to keep your teeth in tip-top shape while ensuring you fully utilize your benefits.

Why Should You Act Now?

• Avoid Delays: If you haven’t had your check-up yet, now is the time to schedule it. Catching issues like cavities, gum disease, or other dental problems early can prevent costly treatments down the line.
  
• Maximize Coverage: These preventive services often don’t require any out-of-pocket costs, so you’re using your benefits without draining your wallet.

2. Fillings for Minor Cavities: Stop Problems Before They Grow

If you have a small cavity, don’t wait for it to worsen. Minor issues that go untreated can lead to more serious procedures like root canals or crowns, which may cost you much more. If your dental benefits are still available, now is the perfect time to get that filling done before the year ends.

Why Now?

• Catch Problems Early: Getting fillings before the year is over allows you to use your benefits for preventive care instead of waiting until a small issue becomes a bigger—and more expensive—one.
  
• Utilize “Use It or Lose It” Benefits: This is a simple way to use your dental benefits efficiently and avoid paying out-of-pocket for a procedure you could have covered.

3. Major Treatments: Crowns, Root Canals, & Other Extensive Procedures

For those needing more extensive dental work, like crowns, root canals, or bridges, you can still take advantage of your insurance benefits before they reset. While these procedures are only partially covered by most plans, they are often essential and can be costly without coverage.

Why Should You Act Now?

• Split Costs Efficiently: If you start the treatment now, you can maximize the current year’s benefits for part of the procedure, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
  
• Avoid Delaying Care: By acting quickly, you can prevent any dental issues from worsening, which would eventually lead to even more expensive treatments.
  
• Maximize Benefits: You’ve already paid for your insurance this year, so use it to its full potential before the reset.

4. X-rays: A Smart Way To Spot Hidden Issues

Dental X-rays are often covered under routine care but can be crucial in identifying issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye. If you haven’t had an X-ray yet this year, now is the time to schedule one. X-rays help detect problems like hidden cavities, gum disease, or even signs of oral cancer, all of which can be treated more easily when caught early.

Why Now Is The Time?

• Prevent Future Issues: Early detection of problems through X-rays helps prevent costly treatments later on.
• Use Remaining Benefits: If you’ve already used part of your insurance benefits, this is an easy way to maximize the coverage you have left.

5. Orthodontic Care: A Long-term Investment In Your Smile

Orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign are long-term commitments, but the earlier you start, the better. Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for orthodontic services, which can make a big difference in the overall cost of treatment.

Why You Should Act Now:

• Start the Process Before Year-End: You can begin treatment now and use your remaining benefits to cover part of the costs.
• Keep Treatment Affordable: Orthodontic work often requires multiple visits, and starting before the year resets means you can take advantage of the current year’s benefits while reducing future expenses.

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and now is the perfect time to make sure you’re using your ‘use it or lose it’ benefits to their full potential. Whether it’s preventive care like cleanings and exams or more extensive procedures like fillings, crowns, or orthodontics, every step you take now can save you money and protect your long-term oral health.

Don’t let your benefits go to waste. Schedule your appointments with our dentist now, take advantage of your coverage, and start the new year with a healthy, confident smile. Reach out to your dental provider today to get the most out of your insurance before it resets!