Does Dental Insurance Cover Night Guards? Dental insurance companies typically cover night guards as a preventive measure. Although the insurance company may cover the cost of the night guard, there may be a deductible that you have to pay before the insurance company will reimburse you. Some dental insurance plans have an annual maximum that they will pay out for preventive measures, so check with your insurance company to see what coverage you have for night guards.
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What is a Night Guard?
A night guard is a custom-made, over-the-counter or professionally fitted mouthguard. Night guards are designed to protect your teeth from damage caused by clenching and grinding during sleep. These activities can put a lot of stress on your teeth and jaw, which can lead to pain and other problems.
Night guards are usually made of soft materials that allow your teeth to move slightly while you sleep. This helps to reduce the stress on your teeth and jaw. Night guards can also help to reduce snoring by keeping your airway open.
Wearing a night guard is a good way to protect your teeth if you grinding or clenching them during sleep. If you have dental insurance, it may cover the cost of a night guard. But, even if it doesn’t, there are ways to get help with the cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Night Guards?
Does Dental Insurance Cover Night Guards? While some dental insurance plans do cover night guards, coverage and eligibility vary by insurance company and plan. Some plans may cover part of the cost, while others may not cover them at all. It’s important to check with your dental insurance provider to see what type of coverage is available under your plan.
Night guards are usually considered a preventive measure to protect your teeth from grinding or clenching at night. As such, they may be covered under some dental insurance plans. However, coverage will typically only reimburse a portion of the cost, if any. For example, Delta Dental Insurance covers night guards at 60-80%, depending on the specific plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers coverage for night guards as a preventive treatment, but reimbursement rates will vary depending on the state and plan.
If your night guard is considered medically necessary to treat a condition such as TMJ disorder or bruxism, it may be covered under your medical insurance instead of your dental insurance. In this case, you would need to get a referral from your doctor in order to have the night guard covered by your medical insurance.
How Much Does a Night Guard Cost?
A night guard is an appliance worn over the teeth to protect them from grinding or clenching during sleep. Night guards can be custom-made by a dentist or purchased over the counter. The cost of a night guard depends on the type of guard and whether it is custom-made or not.
Custom-made night guards typically cost between $500 and $1000. Over-the-counter night guards are less expensive, costing between $50 and $200. Some dental insurance plans cover the cost of custom-made night guards, but most plans do not cover over-the-counterguards. Check with your dental insurance provider to see if your plan covers night guards.
How to Get a Night Guard
While dental insurance does not typically cover night guards, there are a few ways you can get one. You can ask your dentist if they offer any discounts for buying a night guard, or you can look for a night guard that is covered by your dental insurance. You can also look into getting a night guard from a dental school or teaching hospital.
Conclusion
After reviewing the evidence, it seems that dental insurance may cover night guards if they are prescribed by a dentist for a specific reason. However, coverage is likely to vary depending on the insurance company and the individual’s plan. It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance company to see what is covered under your plan.
