Dental Insurance

aunt aggie

Hi,

I have needed a fair bit of dental work in the last few year and I'm thinking of looking into an insurance plan that covers dental issues.

The one thing I am really concerned about is the fact that I was told two years ago I may need a surgical wisdom tooth extraction in the future. No pain or discomfort at the moment but would insurance companies look at this consultation as highlighting a preexisting issue and refuse cover?

Also from checking online, not a lot of companies in Ireland offer cover for extracting impacted wisdom teeth. Would it be better to go with general heath insurance which includes dental?

helimachoptor

Generally insurance won't cover pre existing conditions or you need to wait a period before you're eligible to receive treatment

aunt aggie

I understand that but in this case that seems to mean I would have had to get insurance before I was told I have impacted wisdom teeth.

Which is what I was told two years ago when I had a tooth extracted to reduce pressure on one wisdom tooth. I dont have any discomfort and dentists say that an extraction isn't necessary at this point. That's why I thought an insurance plan would cover this procedure if needed.

NewinDub

Hey Aggie, did you get somewhere with this issue? I have the exact same issue, looking for a health insurance at the moment for a young professional 23 years of age and also dental insurance, as wisdom teeth would be an issue with me too. Like yours, mine are existent and have to be extracted if they continue to push upwards Have you found your best deal? I find it a bit tricky to get an overview with all the different options..

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Having all four wisdom teeth removed by a specialist will cost you around 8-900 euro. Some people think it thousands but its not. Get health insurance for other reasons, but wisdom teeth are a benefit of insurance rather than a reason to get it.

NewinDub

Ya, but aside from my wisdom teeth I usually need some work done on my teeth every time I visit a dentist. Thanks a mill though x

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Medical insurance only covers wisdom teeth and surgical extraction of roots. General dental work like fillings, cleanings etc is not covered. You need dental insurance for those, its a separate thing. Medical insurance fully covers impacted wisdom tooth removal (you pay only for the consultation) dental insurance covers a portion depending on your policy.

If you spend more per year on general dental expenses than about 300 euro then dental insurance can make sense, but if you need major work the cover is limited on any single year. Its a confusing minefield.

NewinDub

Well last year it would have definitley made sense for me to get dental insurance then I think. Thanks so much for explaining it plain and easy. Really needed that ...looking for general insurance at the moment as well and it's just all so confusing. Dealing with it all for the first time myself so been all new to it, but will go to the vhi office today and get a quote.
Thanks a mill

aunt aggie

Yeah I've given up on getting either as it didn't make financial sense for a lot of the reasons fitz mentioned. I will say that surgically extracting wisdom teeth is more expensive than people think because they will only extract one at a time.

I've recently moved away from the extremely expensive surgeon I was referred to and found it very difficult to find another. Obviously prefer to find a cheaper one so do let me know if you have any suggestions!

Oral Surgeon

aunt aggie wrote: »

Yeah I've given up on getting either as it didn't make financial sense for a lot of the reasons fitz mentioned. I will say that surgically extracting wisdom teeth is more expensive than people think because they will only extract one at a time.

I've recently moved away from the extremely expensive surgeon I was referred to and found it very difficult to find another. Obviously prefer to find a cheaper one so do let me know if you have any suggestions!

Yes it would be more expensive one at a time but most oral surgeons would remove all wisdom teeth in one sitting under IV sedation or GA….

aunt aggie

I have only two impacted wisdom teeth that may or may not need to be removed surgically. They are still mostly trapped underneath the gum and I was definitely told that they would need to be removed one by one in case of never damage. Do you know anything more about that OralSurgeon?

Oral Surgeon

Removing them one at a time does not reduce the chances of nerve damage. They either need to be removed or they don't. Getting it done in one sitting is usually best for patient and operator.
Did your dentist or an oral surgeon say that??

aunt aggie wrote: »

I have only two impacted wisdom teeth that may or may not need to be removed surgically. They are still mostly trapped underneath the gum and I was definitely told that they would need to be removed one by one in case of never damage. Do you know anything more about that OralSurgeon?

aunt aggie

Yes they implied that its better to see if there's nerve damage on one side before risking it on both. I took their opinion to be professional and didn't question it any further. This person also specialises in oral surgery.

Definitely going to look for a different surgeon after your comments here.

Oral Surgeon

In reality neither of us are right or wrong.... Just different opinions...
My own view is that if the teeth need removal because of previous or expected pain and infection then what is the point in waiting?? 2 scenarios

You take out the first, no nerve issues and then do the second a few weeks later...

You take out the first, have nerve issues, does that change the original need for the second to come out?? No... You then need the second out or refuse to have the second out and suffer the expected pain and infection forever....

What happens if the first is removed, no nerve issues and then you are happy to proceed and have the second out and have nerve issues.
How has the delay helped you in any way??

My own opinion is to remove the teeth in one sitting under iv sedation or GA (not necessary really). This means one surgery, one sedation or GA, one course of antibiotics or pain killers, one post op period off work etc etc....

If the nerves truly are that much of an issue then other procedures are available such as a coronectomy when the top of the tooth is removed and most of the roots purposely left behind. This gives good results in the right situation....

aunt aggie wrote: »

Yes they implied that its better to see if there's nerve damage on one side before risking it on both. I took their opinion to be professional and didn't question it any further. This person also specialises in oral surgery.

Definitely going to look for a different surgeon after your comments here.

NewinDub

& do wisdom teeth count as a preexisting condition now or not? I have 2 on the bottom, but they are mostly just under the gum. In case they come out it would put too much pressure on the rest of my teeth there, so I know I'd have to get them removed too. The thing is they've been like this since 5 years and only sometimes push a slight bit.

Oral Surgeon

This pre existing condition thing confuses a lot of people.

The important question is when did you first become aware of problems with the wisdom teeth and the need for their removal.
If you became aware of this and then later got medical insurance cover then technically you need to wait 5 years before this removal procedure would be covered as it preexisted your cover.

If you have just got medical insurance recently and became aware of the need for removal while in cover, you need to have insurance 6 months before being covered... Some companies wave this period.....

If you have been covered by insurance for years then you are covered....

You may have been aware of having erupting wisdom teeth for 5 years or so but that is not the same as the question "when did you first become aware of the need for wisdom tooth removal" all teeth erupt and you are just more aware of the wisdom teeth as they are the most recent ones to erupt..... Don't list 5 years ago as this date.....

Good luck,
Os

NewinDub wrote: »

& do wisdom teeth count as a preexisting condition now or not? I have 2 on the bottom, but they are mostly just under the gum. In case they come out it would put too much pressure on the rest of my teeth there, so I know I'd have to get them removed too. The thing is they've been like this since 5 years and only sometimes push a slight bit.

NewinDub

Oh thanks Os, that makes it way clearer! I have been covered by an insurance for the last years but that was not with an Irish insurance, so I'm guessing the 5year waiting period will apply to me then too.

But thanks for the good advice..tricky to find out really! Thanks a mill

aunt aggie

Thanks for clarifying that OS. I would prefer to get them both out in one go but would their be any issue with recovery, as regards not been able to eat on either side of the mouth?

Also if you know of any dentists with experience performing these surgeries near the Mayo or Carlow regions, please could you let me know by pm. Would really appreciate it.

aunt aggie

Quick update, for anyone who finds themselves in a similar position.

When I originally started this thread it had been well over a year since my initial consultation and I think I had worked myself into a bit of a tizzy. The cost of having both wisdom teeth removed under sedation is a lot less that I had originally thought,well under a thousand euro. My dentist is now willing to remove both at the same time because they have moved further and nerve damage is less likely. They should be coming out in the new year.

madcabbage

What is the best option for a person whos looking for insurance to cover mainly basic treatments? I see VHI and DeCare are the main companies. I was told by my dentist to consider insurance in the case of possible wisdom teeth in the future. Do the above two cover that in their policies or are they under health insurance?

martiga

madcabbage wrote: »

What is the best option for a person whos looking for insurance to cover mainly basic treatments? I see VHI and DeCare are the main companies. I was told by my dentist to consider insurance in the case of possible wisdom teeth in the future. Do the above two cover that in their policies or are they under health insurance?

Hi
I think wisdom teeth is only covered by Health insurance as long as it's not pre exciting

Decare debtal is excellent I find for a small price a month you get two free exams and two free cleans then depending on plan 70 percent back on fillings and lots of other benefits

There site is
Decaredental.ie

Hope that helps

Hellodub

I was wondering if wisdom tooth removal would be covered by a travel insurance if I would get one for a year or so? My bottom 2 need to get out I think &I know one is growing sideways.. I actually really can't afford getting this done so looking for an option really

davo10

Hellodub wrote: »

I was wondering if wisdom tooth removal would be covered by a travel insurance if I would get one for a year or so? My bottom 2 need to get out I think &I know one is growing sideways.. I actually really can't afford getting this done so looking for an option really

Are you considering having them out while away on holiday?

Hellodub

I'm just looking for an option to afford this really. I thought it might be cheaper abroad.

Oral Surgeon

Hellodub wrote: »

I'm just looking for an option to afford this really. I thought it might be cheaper abroad.

I dont think travel insurance covers his sort of thing.
I certainly havent done this and filled out the forms for people who are on holiday in ireland....

Hellodub

Thanks a mill oral surgeon