South Carolina Life and Health Practice Exam

Which type of dental procedure is commonly excluded or limited in a dental policy?

1. Orthodontics

2. Endodontics

3. Periodontics

4. Prosthodontics

The correct answer is: Endodontics

In dental insurance policies, orthodontics is the type of procedure that is commonly excluded or limited. This is primarily due to the nature of orthodontic treatments, which often involve extensive and lengthy processes, such as braces or aligners, and can result in substantial costs. Insurers tend to set limits on coverage for orthodontics or may exclude it altogether to manage their financial risk, as these treatments are generally not necessary for urgent dental health but are rather considered elective for cosmetic purposes. In contrast, endodontics, which involves procedures like root canals, is typically covered because it addresses issues related to dental health and pain management. Similarly, periodontics, which deals with gum health, and prosthodontics, focusing on restoring teeth with crowns or dentures, are generally included in dental policies, as they are necessary for maintaining overall oral health and function. Thus, orthodontics stands out as the type of procedure that faces more restrictions in coverage.