15 Ways to Save with Dental Insurance in 2026

Dental work gets expensive, and it rarely shows up at a convenient time. You might be one of the many who list dental costs as the top reason you don't go to the dentist. But with the right dental plan, used the right way, you can significantly lower your dental care expenses.

Here’s 15 ways you can save with dental insurance and what to look for when choosing the best dental plan.

1. Choose the right plan

Healthy mouth, clean history? A basic plan with a low premium could work for you. And if you know major dental work is coming, a higher premium plan with higher coverage could save you more in the long run.

2. Prevention pays off

A $150 filling now beats a $4,000 implant later. Regular cleanings and exams help your dentist catch issues before they get bigger, more expensive. And simply having a dental plan means you’re more likely to go for regular care.

3. Preventive incentives

What your brush—and if you floss—misses, a dental hygienist expertly scrapes away and polishes. Most plans cover two cleanings and exams a year at 100%. Use those benefits to keep your oral health strong.

4. Stay in-network for reduced rates

Seeing an in-network dentist with a PPO dental plan can cut your bill before your plan even applies benefits. A $1,200 crown can drop to $600 just by choosing a dentist who’s in-network. Instant savings.

5. Save on dental work

Most dental insurance plans use coinsurance to lower your cost by using percentages depending on the service. For basic care, it’s around 60-80%. For major care, around 30-50%. Remember to check your plan to make sure your procedure is covered.

6. Time major work around your maximum

Your annual max is the most your plan pays out per year, and it resets on your renewal date. If a procedure pushes you past it, ask your dentist about scheduling around that reset.

7. Use your HSA

If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, you may be able to use those funds for eligible dental expenses. There are some rules around what’s covered. According to the IRS, treatments such as fillings, braces, extractions, dentures and other services that help alleviate dental disease are included.

8. Deduct costs if you’re self-employed

If you’re self-employed, dental expenses may be tax deductible if they help prevent or alleviate dental disease. Speak with a tax professional for further guidance. 

9. Skip dental waiting periods

Waiting 12 months before benefits begin for major dental work can lead to a toothache getting worse and more expensive. Choosing a dental plan with no waiting periods for preventive, basic and major services means you can access care—from cleanings to crowns—and start saving from day one without delay.

10. Loyalty benefits

Some plans increase your coverage the longer you stay enrolled. So what you get in year 1, increases in year 2 and might even increase in year 3—without any increase to your plan’s premium. It's an incentive to keep your plan active, which also helps you stay healthy.

11. Lifetime deductible

Most dental plans charge a deductible every year before benefits kick in, typically $25-$50. A lifetime deductible—what you get with all Spirit Dental plans—works differently: pay it once and it’s done. After that, preventive cleanings stay covered at 100% with no additional deductible payment to make. That’s yearly savings the longer you keep the plan. 

12. Stack secondary coverage

If your primary plan doesn’t go far enough, a secondary dental plan picks up where it stops. Your primary plan pays its share, your secondary plan covers more of what’s left and your costs drops again.

13. Need vision too?

Bundling dental and vision together under one policy can save you when enrolling rather than having two separate plans. One bill, one renewal date, instead of two.

14. Plan dental coverage before Medicare

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) mostly doesn’t cover routine dental care. It’s one of the most common surprises for people turning 65, especially if employer coverage was paying for dental right up until retirement. You can get dental with Medicare Advantage plans, but coverage varies. You can also shop standalone dental plans with no open enrollment period restrictions.

15. Who doesn’t love a free toothbrush?

If your dentist hands out a free toothbrush and floss, take it! You never know when you'll need it. And don’t forget to ask about care tips and product recommendations that could give your daily dental hygiene a boost. 

Bonus: other ways to save on dental care

Dental insurance isn’t the only way to lower dental costs. If you don’t have dental insurance or need care outside of your plan, other options like dental schools, community health centers and even asking your dentist about membership savings plans could help.

Get dental insurance that helps you save more 

Spirit Dental makes it easy to save with no waiting periods, high annual maximums, access to the Ameritas PPO network and a lifetime deductible only paid once. Dental care can get expensive, but the right coverage can help make it more manageable.

Get a free quote today.