Part of the LANAP Laser Therapy guide
“Does my insurance cover it?” is one of the first questions patients ask about LANAP. The honest answer depends on your plan, but the way plans work is predictable, and knowing it helps you plan.
01
The short answer
It depends on your plan. Dental insurance generally pays for procedures based on the diagnosis and the codes submitted, not for a particular technique or device. Many plans include periodontal treatment as a covered service, subject to the plan's deductible, coverage percentage, frequency rules, and annual maximum. Some plans exclude or limit certain procedures.
The only reliable way to know what your plan will pay is to ask the plan before treatment, which the practice can do for you.
02
How dental plans pay
Three plan features decide most of what you pay:
- Coverage percentage: the share of the plan's allowed fee it pays, for example 80% after the deductible
- Deductible: the amount you pay before the plan starts paying
- Annual maximum: the most the plan will pay in a plan year
The annual maximum is often the limiting factor for periodontal treatment. According to ADA News, many plans still promote the long-standing $1,000 annual maximum established some 40 years ago, while some now offer $2,000 or more. Once the maximum is reached, the remaining cost for that plan year is yours.
03
Ask for a pre-treatment estimate
A predetermination, also called a pre-treatment estimate, is a request sent to your plan before treatment to find out what it will cover. The American Dental Association explains that the plan then reports eligibility, covered services, the amount payable, and your co-payment, deductible, and maximum.
Estimates are not guarantees
The ADA notes that estimated payments are not guaranteed. Benefits are determined at the time of service, so a change in eligibility or other claims paid in the meantime can change what the plan pays.
04
Planning treatment around your benefits
When treatment involves several areas, it can sometimes be staged across plan years so that two annual maximums apply. Whether that is appropriate depends on your diagnosis: untreated active disease can progress, so clinical need comes first. Your periodontist can tell you which areas are urgent and which can be scheduled.
05
Insurance and financing at Sterling
Sterling Periodontics & Implantology is in-network with Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and Humana, and reviews your benefits before treatment begins. You receive costs in writing as part of your treatment plan. For the portion not covered, payment plans are available through CareCredit, Lending Club, and Cherry, including interest-free terms for qualified patients.
“Your first visit is a conversation, not a procedure. We send your plan in writing after, so you can think it over at home.”
See insurance and financing, read what LANAP costs, or start with the complete LANAP guide. Call (310) 278-3666 with questions about your plan.
06
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LANAP considered cosmetic by insurance?
LANAP is a treatment for periodontitis, a disease, not a cosmetic procedure. How a plan pays depends on the diagnosis, the procedures submitted, and the plan's terms.
Will my insurance pay the same for LANAP as for gum surgery?
Plans pay according to the procedures submitted and their own fee schedules and limits. A pre-treatment estimate is the way to find out what your plan will pay for your specific treatment.
What if my annual maximum is not enough?
You pay the balance once the maximum is reached. Treatment can sometimes be staged across plan years when clinically appropriate, and financing through CareCredit, Lending Club, or Cherry is available.
Which insurance plans does Sterling accept?
Sterling is in-network with Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and Humana. The team reviews your benefits before treatment begins.
Sources
- ADA: Pre-authorizations and predeterminations www.ada.org/resources/practice/dental-insurance/pre-authorizations
- ADA News, December 2025: Dear ADA — annual maximums adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2025/december/dear-ada-annual-maximums/
- MouthHealthy (ADA): Choosing the right dental plan www.mouthhealthy.org/en/dental-care-concerns/choosing-the-right-dental-plan-for-you
This article is general education and does not replace a diagnosis or individualized treatment advice.
