Dental work can be expensive. But with a little research, you can find ways to save.
Dental insurance is an excellent option for keeping dental cost down. However, it comes with premiums and deductibles. If you can afford to pay for it, you should definitely consider getting a plan.
Preventive care
Many dental insurance providers cover a large portion of the cost of routine checkups and cleanings. However, they do not typically cover larger dental work.
Preventive dentistry allows dentists to monitor oral health and promote healthy habits. It also helps catch and treat emerging problems before they worsen, saving both time and money.
Preventive dental care is particularly important for children. Routine dental visits ensure that baby teeth leave space for permanent teeth, and they can help children develop adult teeth with a strong foundation. It can also reduce oral health problems associated with chronic medical conditions like diabetes and osteoporosis. It can also save Medicaid dollars.4
Routine checkups
Dental insurance is great for helping cover the cost of routine procedures like teeth cleanings and exams. However, it’s important to remember that if you don’t get your checkups regularly, you may end up paying for expensive procedures later on.
The average price of a dental exam without insurance can range from $75 to $200, but the best way to save money is by making sure you’re getting your regular checkups twice each year. This will help prevent costly problems from developing over time, like gum disease. X-rays are also included in most dental exams, and these can help identify hidden problems that you might not otherwise be able to see.
X-rays
X-rays are a routine part of oral health care. X-rays pass a low dose of radiation through your mouth to produce images that show the bone structure, teeth and gums.
X-rays allow dentists to spot issues that can’t be seen with the naked eye, like cavities and abscesses. This allows them to be fixed before the problem spreads and becomes more expensive and invasive.
X-rays are typically covered by dental insurance and have relatively low costs. However, more extensive imaging such as CBCT can cost up to $1,000 without insurance. Flossy can save you up to 50% on your dental costs, including X-rays and other preventative services. Sign up now to start saving!
Fillings
Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in both kids and adults. The good news is that they are easily treatable, but the bad news is that cavity fillings can be quite expensive.
Luckily, most cavity fillings are covered by insurance. However, if you do not have dental coverage or you have to pay a deductible, the cost of your cavity fillings will be much higher. To avoid this, consider joining a dental savings plan like Flossy. It is free to join and you can save up to 50% on your routine dental procedures. Also, a dental plan often includes additional benefits like nitrous oxide and oral or intravenous sedation, which can lower your overall costs.
Crowns
A crown can be much more expensive than a filling, but it offers better protection and support for a damaged tooth. Additionally, it can prevent the need for a tooth extraction or dental implant in the future.
Dental insurance typically covers a portion of the cost of a crown. However, the exact amount will vary depending on your coverage and dentist.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns are the most common types of dental crowns today because of their natural aesthetic. They’re also metal-free, making them safer for patients with allergies to metallic materials. Resin crowns are cheaper but may not withstand the same level of wear and tear.
Root canals
Root canals involve cleaning and sealing infected tooth pulp. They are less expensive than having the infected tooth pulled, which can cost more in the long run due to replacement costs and complications with chewing and jaw alignment.
Many dental insurance plans cover between 50% and 80% of the cost after the patient has met their deductible. If you have no insurance, your dentist will likely be happy to work out a payment plan that is affordable for you.
If you want to save money, consider getting your root canal at a dental school instead of a private practice. Most dental schools have endodontic clinics where you can get treatment for less than half of what it costs at a regular dentist’s office.
Extractions
Tooth extraction is typically the last option for teeth with severe decay or damage. A dentist will always try to exhaust other options before recommending extraction, including root canals or crowns.
Most dental insurance plans cover tooth extractions, but the percentage of the cost that you’ll pay varies. Some plans may cover 100% of the procedure, while others may require you to pay a copay or deductible before they pay.
If you’re interested in saving money on tooth extraction costs, consider purchasing a dental discount plan. These plans work similarly to memberships and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. They also eliminate the hassle of collecting X-rays and receipts. Learn more about these dental savings plans here.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment is expensive, but it can also save you money in the long run. Crooked teeth are harder to clean and can lead to gum disease, which may require more costly dental procedures down the road.
Braces are fixed systems of brackets and wires that use gentle pressure to realign the teeth over months or years. Different types of braces cost differently.
Look into medical insurance plans that cover orthodontics as a rider to your regular dental plan. Those can be significantly cheaper than traditional dental insurance. Also, check if your local university has an orthodontic school. They sometimes offer orthodontic treatments for a fraction of the cost under an experienced orthodontist’s supervision.