If you have a dental insurance plan where you have to file claims (such as a PPO) it is a good idea to get a pretreatment estimate on the dental work needed before dental services are started.  By doing this, it will let you know in advance what dental procedures are covered, and the amount the plan will pay toward the treatment and how much you will be financially responsible for.

However it is important to remember a pretreatment estimate is not a guarantee of payment.  When the dental services are complete and the claim is received for payment the insurance company will calculate payment based on current eligibility, amount remaining in your annual maximum limitation and any deductible that may be required.