Dental Insurance That Covers Periodontal Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of all adults 30 and older show signs of gum disease¹, also known as periodontal disease. Gum disease often starts in a mild form and can be controlled and fixed with proper oral health habits like brushing, flossing, rinsing, and professional cleanings. However, it can progress to more advanced forms that require complex and costly procedures.

Fortunately, dental insurance helps cover an array of treatments, including various procedures that can prevent and fix periodontal disease. In this article, we’ll discuss several types of periodontal diseases and explain how dental insurance can help you reduce the cost of treatment for this condition.

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Table of Contents

How dental insurance works

Dental insurance is a form of supplemental insurance designed to pay for dental care and treatment costs. With this type of plan, you’ll pay monthly or yearly premiums to maintain coverage.

When the policyholder visits the dentist, they generally pay a deductible that varies by their plan and premiums. They may also pay copayments or coinsurance, which are fixed amounts or percentages (respectively) of the cost of care that the policyholder is responsible for. Dental insurance usually has annual maximums, or maximum amounts the insurer will pay for care yearly. The policyholder typically must visit providers in the insurer’s network to get favorable rates on care.

Dental insurance policies tend to be quite affordable. The average dental policy with comprehensive coverage costs about $52 per month, or $624 per year.² These policies tend to help cover most of the costs of preventive care and a large amount of more expensive treatments.

The average cost for combining dental cleanings and X-rays can range from about $125 to $650, which is often less than the comprehensive plan.³ However, the costs of many dental treatments beyond preventive care can cost hundreds of dollars, so comprehensive coverage can be worth it. And a preventive care plan costs an average of $26 per month,² which comes out to less per year than paying for annual routine exams, cleanings, and X-rays out-of-pocket.³

You can also get a supplemental dental insurance policy if gaps exist in your existing dental policy’s coverage. Aflac offers dental insurance that helps cover a range of services with a deductible that decreases over time and an annual maximum that increases over time, rewarding you for caring for your teeth.

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Does dental insurance cover periodontal diseases?

Many dental insurance plans offer coverage for costs related to periodontal disease.⁴ For example, Aflac dental insurance helps cover periodontal maintenance and other non-surgical periodontal services. It also covers surgical periodontal services.

Types of periodontal diseases

There are several types of periodontal disease. Let’s explore how each works in more detail:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue caused by the buildup of plaque. It’s the earliest and mildest stage of periodontal disease and may be reversible with proper oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. Gingivitis signs and symptoms include:⁵

Tender or sensitive gums
Red gums
Swollen or puffy gums
Mouth sores
Bad breath
Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing

Chronic periodontal disease

Chronic periodontal disease is a progressive and long-lasting inflammation of the gum tissue. It is also characterized by plaque buildup that causes gum recession, pockets in the gums, potential tooth loss, and even potential bone loss. Good oral hygiene is crucial in slowing or preventing chronic periodontal disease. However, more advanced treatments may be needed to control or stop it.⁶

Aggressive periodontal disease

Aggressive periodontal disease is a more severe form of periodontal disease characterized by rapid destruction of gum and bone tissue. Improving oral hygiene can help slow aggressive periodontitis. However, treatments such as scaling and root planning as well as antibiotic treatments may be necessary.⁶

Periodontitis from systemic diseases

Periodontitis from systemic disease occurs when certain non-dental medical conditions contribute to periodontitis. Some diseases that may be linked to periodontitis include:⁷

Diabetes
Heart disease
Respiratory disease
Cancer
Alzheimer’s Disease

These conditions weaken the immune system, making someone more susceptible to bacterial plaque buildup and therefore, periodontitis.⁸ Special dental care may be required to treat periodontitis from systemic diseases. The disease itself may also have to be treated if possible.

Necrotizing periodontal disease

Necrotizing periodontal disease is a rare, severe form of gum disease that can lead to bleeding, pain, bad breath, and tissue death.⁹ Both soft and hard tissues, such as surrounding bones, can be impacted. These can make oral hygiene difficult since brushing, flossing, and rinsing can cause pain and damage.

What else does dental insurance cover?

Periodontal disease is one of the major conditions that dental insurance helps cover. Here are some other issues that you could pay for with a dental insurance policy:¹⁰

Preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays)
Fillings
Root canals
Tooth extractions
Crowns
Dental implants
Oral surgery

Some dental policies may also help cover orthodontics (such as braces and retainers) and prosthodontics (such as dentures and bridges).

Get a quote for dental insurance

Periodontal disease can start as minor gingivitis, but if not treated, can affect your oral health. Fortunately, dental insurance can help reduce the costs of surgical and non-surgical treatments so you can prevent or slow down periodontal disease and maintain a healthy smile.

Even if you believe you have excellent teeth, some dental diseases may not show themselves until it’s too late, so it's vital to have coverage and get regular cleanings. Speak with an Aflac agent about your options for covering routine appointments and periodontal treatments with dental insurance.

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