Does Medicaid Cover Veneers?

Sometimes, having proper coverage for your dental care is the only way to make it affordable. With that in mind, does Medicaid cover veneers? Here's what you should know about this topic, as well as some alternative treatments to consider.

Will Medicaid Cover Veneers?

That depends on a variety of factors. Medicaid coverage is not the same in all states, so there are no universal answers to this. You'll need to check the rules for your state and continue monitoring them over time in case they change.

However, in states where coverage is allowed, Medicaid usually covers veneers when they are medically necessary. This means care arising from non-biting accidents, injury, tooth decay, disease, or care considered integral to providing other qualified services.

So, does Medicaid cover veneers for cosmetic purposes? No. Cosmetic uses of veneers include things like making your teeth look straighter or whiter. Medicaid seldom covers procedures done for aesthetic reasons, so veneers are rarely an option.

Depending on your situation, you may be able to get veneers through supplemental dental insurance on top of a Medicaid plan. Alternatively, you may save up and buy the veneers outright, which bypasses all of Medicaid's limits on the procedure.

For more information on coverage in your state, visit the official Medicaid dental benefits website.

Alternative Treatments

If you can't get veneers through Medicaid, here are some alternative treatments.

Alternative #1: Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is an affordable cosmetic procedure that helps rapidly whiten your teeth. This is an excellent alternative to veneers if your main focus is your teeth's appearance, rather than any medical need.

In this process, dentists use select chemical products to break apart the molecules causing discoloration in your teeth. This procedure is available in both take-home products and at your dentist's office, but dentists use more potent products that will significantly impact your smile.

Store-bought whitening products are among the least effective, although they can be a reasonable choice if you only want to whiten your smile by one or two shades.

Alternative #2: Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure for patients who don't have enough enamel on their teeth, as well as those who don't want to alter the structure of their teeth. In this procedure, dentists put composite resin onto the front of your teeth, then shape and polish it until it's practically indistinguishable from the normal tooth.

This is similar to creating a filling, but dental bonding is also useful for adding structure to chipped or damaged teeth. It's also less expensive than veneers are, though it doesn't offer quite the same reflective qualities as porcelain can provide.

Alternative #3: Orthodontics

While veneers are a popular choice for concealing small misalignments, they can't help if your teeth are too far out of position. If your teeth are extremely out of alignment, orthodontic treatment is usually the best option.

Standard orthodontics options include traditional braces and clear aligner trays that can gradually nudge your teeth into position. In some cases, accelerated systems can move all of your teeth into place over a few months, but most patients are not candidates for this type of treatment.