CareCredit Covers What Insurance Doesn’t
Whether you have dental insurance — or don’t — the cost of dental treatment can sometimes prevent people from getting the care that they need. Believe it or not, the amount of dental treatment that dental insurance will cover hasn’t increased with our typical economic inflation rates; it’s the same dollar figure that it was more than 40 years ago. On the other hand, dental costs rise based on average cost of living, overhead expenses, lab fees, material costs, etc.
So, it’s no surprise that a lot of dental people avoid going to the dentist or scheduling necessary care. Dental care seems as if it “should” be totally covered by dental insurance, but when it isn’t, you weigh the cost of dental treatment on whether or not your tooth “hurts” as an indication of if it really needs to be fixed. In fact, a tooth could be abscessed or dying and still never exhibit any symptoms of pain or tenderness.
Fortunately, dental insurance typically covers 100% of the cost of dental treatment as long as it’s preventative in nature. That is, a procedure designed to prevent and/or delay the onset of disease. Such as routine cleanings, intermittent X-rays, dental sealants, and fluoride.
But what happens when you need a procedure that isn’t covered by dental insurance? Or perhaps your insurance only covers a portion of the cost of dental treatment? Normally, you would be responsible for covering the difference out of pocket. But at The Center For Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have a convenient alternative: CareCredit.
What is CareCredit?
CareCredit is sort of like a credit card for dental and medical care costs, but better. You can use it on any type of dental procedure, including elective treatments like dental veneers, teeth whitening, Invisalign, or smile makeovers. It can also be used for full mouth reconstruction with dental implants and other tooth replacement treatments.
But here’s the best part: Most people qualify for 0% (or extremely low) interest. CareCredit usually gives you around 12 months to pay off the balance before there are any interest charges. You can make one low monthly fee or pay it off whenever you’re ready, instead of all at once. Thanks to CareCredit when you know you need the treatment, you don’t have to wait to get started.
The CareCredit approval process is fairly straightforward. You can apply at any time, be it at home, from your smart phone, or right here at our Newport Beach dentist’s office. The approval is usually instant, allowing you access to funds on the same day. That way if you need treatment right then and there, you won’t have to wait. It’s faster than dental insurance and makes it easy to afford the cost of dental treatment.
Waiting on Dental Treatment Can Cost You
There’s a common misconception that a lot of people have about dental care. It’s that if their tooth doesn’t hurt, there’s no rush to fix it until it does. But here’s the thing: tooth sensitivity or a visible flaw in your tooth aren’t the only ways to predict a dental problem. More often than not, they don’t become evident until that diagnosis has a chance to compound into something even worse.
The best thing to do — both dentally and financially — is to treat the dental problem as soon as it’s identified. Tooth decay, for example, is less invasive and more affordable to treat when the cavity is small. But left alone for several months, the cavity can spread into the nerve or adjacent teeth, requiring additional fillings as well as a root canal. This more extensive infection means lengthier appointments and added treatment costs.
If you’re not sure what your dental insurance will cover, or you don’t have insurance at all, using CareCredit makes it easy to afford treating those unexpected dental problems when they’re small. You’ll save money over time and better protect your smile’s integrity. With fewer and smaller restorations, your future dental costs will go down as well.
Yes, You Can Use CareCredit on Smile Makeovers
Dental insurance typically won’t cover the cost of dental treatment if it’s elective. In other words, cosmetic dentistry. Typically, undergoing a smile makeover is something that you can’t apply benefits toward. If the enhancements you’re wanting to make are aesthetic, you can turn to CareCredit. Finance all or a portion of your treatment, then pay it off at a low monthly rate. There’s no more waiting!
Affordable Dentist in Newport Beach
Have questions about CareCredit or what your dental insurance covers? Call The Center For Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry in Newport Beach. Dr. Yazdan and our friendly team of patient coordinators will be happy to answer any questions that you have. You’ll wish you hadn’t waited so long to give us a call. Contact us today to get started.
About Dr. Yazdan
