Dental Veneers: HSA Eligibility

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

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are small pieces of porcelain or composite resins that are fashioned into the shape of a shell and customized to an individual's smile to correct the look of misshapen, broken or stained teeth (WebMD). While this is considered a cosmetic procedure in the vast majority of cases, if an individual has experienced some sort of trauma or long-term medical condition that has affected the look and structure of their teeth, it is possible that this procedure would be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a physician.

How are dental veneers applied?

If a patient is considering dental veneers, the first step is to set up a preliminary office visit with a dentist, who will evaluate patient's needs and assess the teeth to ensure that they are prime candidates for dental veneers. If so, the next step is for the dentist will remove about a half millimeter of the tooth's enamel from the surface, which equates to about the same thickness of the veneers themselves. This will allow the dentist to take X-rays and impressions of the palette to send off to a lab for several weeks to create customized veneers for the patient.

Once the veneers are ready to be applied, the dentist will start by thoroughly cleaning the surface of the tooth of any plaque and bacteria, as well as roughening the tooth surface to ensure that the veneer adheres as effectively as possible. Next, before the veneer is permanently cemented to the tooth, the dentist will temporarily put it in place to ensure that it is the proper color/fit. Once this is confirmed, a special cement is placed on the tooth and the veneer attached, which is then treated with a special light that activates the primary ingredients in the cement to allow it to harden. After cleaning up any excess cement and making necessary adjustments, the process will be largely complete and the patient will return for a follow-up visit for a consultation in the weeks following the procedure (Everyday Health).