Dental Reconstruction: FSA Eligibility

Eligible expenses for Limited FSAs can vary. To find out exactly what your Limited FSA covers, contact your FSA administrator.

What is dental reconstruction?

Dental reconstruction, also referred to as restorative dentistry, encompasses a wide range of treatments and procedures designed to replace/repair missing or damaged teeth, as well as helping to correct faulty bites and irregular jaw joints, treat dental diseases and correct worn dental work. This type of dental discipline is designed to ensure that tissues, joints and bones in the mouth are all working together in harmony with one another to avoid compromising oral health in the future (Procter & Gamble). The most common dental reconstruction procedures include:

• Restorative Implant Dentistry: Common dental procedures like bridgework, crowns/caps and fillings are the most basic type of restorative dentistry that aims to repair or replace damaged or missing teeth.
• Implant Dentistry: In cases where a tooth is broken or the entire tooth must be replaced, a dental implant can be put in its place. Dental implants are reproductions of existing teeth that replicate their look and structure from the crown down to the root structure.
• Periodontal Treatments: These are treatments used to correct the effects of advanced gum disease, periodontal disease, which include scaling and root planing to remove infected tissue and clear plaque and bacteria.
• Cosmetic Dentistry: This treatment is designed to restore the appearance of an individual's smile, but unless it is done as a result of a legitimate medical condition, it is not eligible for reimbursement. Cosmetic dental procedures include veneers, bonding, teeth whitening and gum contouring.
• Neuromuscular Dentistry: In the event that patients have experienced dental issues due to irregular bites, neuromuscular dentistry techniques deal with the nerves and muscles that are responsible for moving the lower jaw and its joints and seek to correct any irregularities.
• Full Mouth Restoration (Dental reconstruction): In cases when multiple oral health issues are present, a full mouth restoration may be suggested to patients using many of the aforementioned techniques. After evaluating the state of one's teeth, gums and jaw, dental specialists will determine what corrective procedures will need to take place to restore the look and efficacy of an individual's teeth. In more advanced cases, prosthodontists are the preferred specialists to oversee a full mouth reconstruction and establish a time frame for completing care.