Dental insurance with no waiting period for root canal

What is a dental benefit waiting period?

A dental benefit waiting period is the amount of time after purchasing a dental insurance plan that you must wait before you are eligible to receive benefits for treatment. Waiting periods differ from plan to plan, but there is typically no waiting period for preventive or diagnostic services such as routine cleanings and basic exams.

Conversely, your dental plan may have a 6- to 12-month waiting period for restorative services such as filings and non-surgical extractions, where a 12-month waiting period is often standard for major services such as crowns or dentures. If you receive services during a waiting period, your dental coverage may not pay for them.

Types of dental insurance waiting periods

Employer waiting period: Employers that offer benefits may institute a waiting period ranging from a few days to a full year. Check your coverage for details.
Pre-existing condition exclusion period: This is the period of time during which dental insurance will not pay for care related to a pre-existing condition. This is designed to avoid situations where an individual buys insurance solely to cover a major procedure or oral health condition learned of prior to enrollment.1 Some basic pre-existing conditions, however, such as cavities, will be covered right away. The waiting period is typically applied only to more serious procedures and conditions.

Do all dental insurance plans have a waiting period?

No, not all dental insurance plans have a waiting period. DHMO plans commonly have waiting periods, whereas most dental discount plans usually do not. It is important to check with your dental insurance administrator to determine your applicable waiting periods.

Do waiting periods vary for different dental services?

Yes! As mentioned above, there are no waiting periods for either diagnostic services, such as x-rays, or preventive services, like cleanings. In most cases, major dental work, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, has a waiting period of 6,12, or 24 months.

What other factors should I be aware of?

Because waiting periods will differ depending on the plan, it’s important to read your description of benefits carefully and ask the right questions. Waiting periods are not the only factor that will affect costs. Here are some other factors to consider.

Prior coverage

In certain cases, a waiting period will be waived if a comparable dental insurance plan was terminated in the 30 to 60 days prior to the effective date of your new plan, but your former dental plan must include very similar coverage.

Graduated benefits/incentive based

Graduated dental benefits increase or otherwise change over time. For example, with Delta Dental of Tennessee’s Advantage Plans you can receive basic services that are covered at 25% in year one, 50% in years two and three, and 80% in year four and beyond.

For major services such as crown repair and oral surgery, members are covered at 10% - 25% in their first year, and 25% - 50% in year two and beyond depending on the plan purchased. Many individuals are drawn to this option because it allows them to receive a discount for the services they need and takes the weight off having to pay in full during a waiting period.

Discount plans like Delta Dental Patient Direct

Discount plans, like Delta Dental Patient Direct, have no waiting period and no paperwork to file. Enrollees simply pay the discounted fee directly to the dentist at the time of treatment.

After enrolling in a new dental plan, coverage for certain treatments could be subject to a waiting period. So, it’s important to be aware of your plan's specifications prior to enrolling.

When possible, remain enrolled in your current insurance plan until you purchase a new plan, and avoid a coverage gap of more than one month. In many cases, a waiting period can be waived if you recently had comparable coverage.

Always do your research, ask for detailed information about new dental coverage, and stay on top of your dental health so you can have a healthy smile for years to come.

Additional resources

Looking for more information? Brush up on dental benefit basics.

Understanding your explanation of benefits
Choosing a dental insurance company
What is the value of dental insurance

Want to learn more about dental insurance? Visit our individual dental insurance page.

This article was developed jointly by Delta Dental Plans Association and Delta Dental of Tennessee

Sources:

1https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/pre-existing-condition-exclusion-period-job-based-coverage/

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What is the “Waiting Period” for Dental Insurance?

Waiting periods are a set time that has to pass before your insurance will pay for restorative dental treatments.

Preventive dental care - annual checkups, x-rays, routine cleanings and similar treatments – typically have no waiting period.
Basic restorative procedures - fillings, simple extractions, deep cleanings, etc. - usually have a three-month waiting period.
Major restorative procedures like crowns, root canals, bridges, oral surgery and dentures often have a waiting period of six months to one year.

During the waiting period, you pay out of pocket for dental care. You are not reimbursed after the waiting period is over.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Everything?

It you need restorative care for teeth that are fragile, failing or missing, dental insurance may not deliver the savings you were hoping for. Read the policy documentation carefully. Here are some of the terms to know:

Annual Maximum Spending Limit

The amount your dental insurance plan will pay annually toward your cost of care. Most insurance plans have an annual limit of $1,000-$1,500 – about the cost of a single root canal and crown.

Pre-existing Conditions

Dental insurance rarely pays for in-progress work or dental problems present before you purchased insurance. (Sometimes, insurance does pay after an extended waiting period, typically three years).

"Missing Tooth" Exclusion

If the policy has this exclusion, it will not pay to fix a tooth or teeth missing prior to purchasing the plan.

Alternate Benefit Clause

Your insurance coverage is restricted to the cheapest treatment, which is not necessarily the one your dentist recommends.

Lifetime Maximum

This is a permanent limit on coverage for a specific procedure, typically braces or dentures.

Save on Dental Care Now

Dental savings plans , also known as dental discount plans or “fee for service” plans are an alternative to dental insurance. These plans are not insurance but can help you reduce your dental costs by 10-60%.

How Do Dental Savings Plans Work?

When you join a dental savings plan, you gain access to a network of dentists who have agreed to provide discounted rates to plan members. You pay the discounted rate directly to the dentist after receiving dental care.

Save 10-60% on dental care, with reduced rates from 140,000+ dentists.
Use whenever needed: no maximum annual or lifetime spending limits.
Discounts on all included dental treatments within 72-hours of joining.
Everyone is accepted, there are no background checks.
Many plans include savings on prescriptions, vision and hearing care and other healthcare services.
Have dental health problems, or dental work already in progress? Good news – you still save with a dental plan.

Is Dental Insurance Worth It?

It depends on your dental care needs:

Excellent Dental Health

If dental health is excellent, dental insurance may be all you need. You’re pre-paying for the preventive care essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Stay in-network, and after the waiting period you’ll save on your dental care.

Average cost of dental insurance:
$350 A Year for individuals, $550 For a Family.

Substandard Dental Health

If you have dental health issues that need immediate treatment, or will cost more than $1,000 to address, consider an alternative such as a dental savings plan. Dental savings plans have no annual spending limit, and your plan will activate within 72 hours of purchase, making them a great way to regain and then maintain your dental health.

Average cost of dental savings plan:
$125 a year for individuals, $150 for a family plan.

What Can Dental Insurance Potentially Cover?

What is the “Missing Tooth” Clause?

Dental insurance plans may not cover the costs for some treatments, no matter how long you wait – such as replacing a tooth that you lost prior to purchasing the policy or dental work that is already in progress.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Cosmetic Treatments?

Most dental insurance plans do not cover “elective” procedures such as teeth whitening or overlays, they cover treatments that you need for dental health, not aesthetic reasons.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Typically, no. Dental implants are considered a cosmetic treatment, since there are less-expensive ways of restoring missing teeth.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces?

Some plans do. But with an annual DPPO maximum coverage limit of $1,500, and braces costing $4,500-$7,000+, you’ll pay most of the cost of orthodontic treatment out-of-pocket.

Why DentalPlans.com?

Joining a dental savings plan offered on DentalPlans.com makes a good thing even better. We’ve helped keep over a million people healthy and smiling since we opened for business in 1998. Along with all the advantages of your plan, you also get friendly, professional customer care from our experienced U.S-based team. And your satisfaction is ensured with our 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pay less, smile more! Join a dental savings plan today. Find out more at DentalPlans.com, or
call 1-888-632-5353 for help choosing a plan now.

How long can I wait to get a root canal?

You must undergo a root canal within a few weeks to fully eliminate the infection and save your tooth. In general, a root canal typically takes about two hours to complete, but it can require subsequent visits depending on the severity of the damage.

Is a root canal considered an emergency?

A Root Canal Counts As An Emergency Dental Treatment A root canal is typically considered to fall under the umbrella of emergency dentistry. Tooth infections are extremely painful and uncomfortable, and they can cause serious complications if they are left untreated, including the death of the infected tooth.

How long is the Aflac dental waiting period?

This benefit is payable twice per policy year, per covered person. The treatment must be performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. There is no waiting period for this benefit. X-Ray Benefit Aflac will pay $10 per visit to you or any covered person for any one of the X-ray procedures listed below.

What does no waiting period mean in dental insurance?

Preventive: Most dental insurance plans do not require a waiting period for preventive care. That means you and your family may receive exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments as provided in your plan. Basic: Some basic procedures may have a three- to six-month waiting period.