How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?
Although we’ve talked about the importance of oral health for overall health, many people still neglect caring for their teeth due to fear or anxiety about how much it will cost.
Dental insurance mitigates the costs of different treatments and procedures. While there are costs associated with enrolling in an insurance plan (see below), it’s worth it — these are often far less than you would pay for certain services fully out-of-pocket.
Learn more about costs associated with dental care and insurance policies.
Do I need dental insurance?
Like medical insurance, dental insurance covers a variety of oral health care services. From full coverage for preventative care to partial care for more major procedures, dental insurance helps you maintain a healthy mouth without breaking the bank.
Dental insurance out of pocket costs to consider
The cost of dental insurance includes more than your monthly premium. Consider the other cost factors:
- Deductible: The amount you have to pay before insurance kicks in to cover dental services, typically between $50 and $150.
- Coinsurance: The percentage of costs for dental services you pay after you’ve met your deductible, typically around 20%.
- Annual maximum: The total amount your policy will pay within a given year, beyond which you are responsible for payment, which on average is between $1,000 and $2,000.
How to lower your out-of-pocket costs
There are further ways to reduce the amount you’ll have to pay for dental care.
Network savings
Network savings plans are different than dental insurance in that they offer discounts on common dental procedures — as long as you go to a dentist within the network. You will still pay a monthly fee to be enrolled, but this amount is less than an insurance premium.
Preventative care
Of course, the best way to prevent paying thousands in dental care is by not needing the care at all. Accidents and genetics play a part in oral health, but decay and other conditions can be avoided with proper daily oral hygiene. Prevention also includes visiting your dentist twice annually so they can thoroughly clean your mouth and examine teeth and gums.
Secondary dental plans
If you are enrolled in an employer-sponsored dental insurance plan, it’s possible to get additional coverage through a secondary, or supplemental, plan. It doesn’t provide double the coverage, but could offer better benefits or lower costs for certain procedures.
Cost of dental procedures with and without dental insurance
Wondering how much of a difference dental insurance can make? Take a look at the cost comparisons for certain treatments below.
Cost of a dental cleaning with and without insurance
A routine dental cleaning ranges from $75 to $200, and deeper cleanings can reach $300. Most dental insurance plans cover one or two routine cleanings per year, in full.
Cost of a dental crown with and without insurance
Dental crowns are caps placed on the top of broken or decayed teeth to restore their shape and size. According to GoodRx, the price for a dental crown averages between $3,500 and $6,700 per tooth, with a porcelain crown.
Every dental insurance plan differs, but most policies cover up to 50% of the cost for crowns. Check your annual maximum to understand what your out-of-pocket costs will be.
Cost of dental implants with and without insurance
Dental implants comprise three parts: the body, the crown and the abutment. According to GoodRx, the price for a dental implant averages between $3,500 and $6,700 per tooth, with a porcelain crown
Regarding the cost of a dental implant with dental insurance, you can receive out-of-pocket savings with coinsurance—typically covered under major services, up to 50%—and network savings with an in-network dentist (network dentists offer lower rates with the dentla insurance plan).
Cost of orthodontia with and without insurance
Orthodontia refers to treatments and procedures used to fix misaligned teeth and irregularities in the jaw, including braces, braces and mouthguards. Braces can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the type of braces you want (metal, ceramic, lingual), where you live, and other factors.
Not all dental plans cover orthodontic services, but you may be able to add it as supplemental orthodontic insurance — at a higher monthly premium. How much is covered, again, varies greatly depending on your policy, but it typically falls around 50% of the total. Ask your orthodontist if they accept payment plans or discounts.
Compare dental plans
Enrolling in dental insurance is well worth the investment. When shopping dental plans, consider who needs to be covered (your family or just yourself), what care you foresee needing, waiting periods with dental insurance and your budget.
Check out plans from Spirit Dental & Vision to get the affordable care you need without a waiting period. We offer dental insurance options for individuals, families, small business owners and more; all designed to get you the coverage you need.