You take steps to protect your family’s health and financial future, but what if something goes wrong with your teeth? Dental insurance is usually an add-on to your health insurance or a separate product you’ll need to purchase. Whether dental insurance makes sense for your financial situation depends on the costs and your expected needs. Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of how much is dental insurance and what you can expect from various plans.
How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?
How much dental care insurance costs varies by the type of coverage. Typical dental insurance premiums range from $22 to $69. That means you can expect to pay $264 to $828 a year. In addition, most dental insurance plans have an average deductible of $50 to $100 per person.
Compared to average out-of-pocket costs, that can mean significant savings if you or a family member need major dental work or surgery. However, for regular cleanings, the additional insurance cost might not be worth it.
With the average cost of a dental cleaning in the U.S. at $100 to $125, lower-cost dental insurance may make sense for a family of four, even without additional dental work. Your monthly premiums, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and annual maximum payout can all affect premiums.
Monthly Premiums
Typical dental insurance premiums range from $22 to $69. You could find dental insurance with higher premiums. The cost of monthly premiums is tied to the coverage type, deductible, copays and annual maximum.
Deductibles
Dental insurance, like health insurance, may come with a deductible. The best dental insurance may have a deductible of $0 to $50 per person. However, dental insurance with a higher deductible can mean you’ll get a lower premium.
Copays
Like deductibles, a copay is an amount you’re required to pay for a service. Often copays are set by treatment. For example, you might have a $25 copay for teeth cleaning or a $50 copay for fillings.
Coinsurance
Coinsurance is another insurance structure that states the amount you’ll pay. For example, if your coinsurance is 20% for in-network providers, you’ll pay 20% of any dental bill with these dentists. On a $125 dental bill, you’ll pay $25 out of pocket.
Annual Maximums
Annual maximums are the stated maximum a dental insurance provider will cover. For most dental insurance plans, this usually ranges between $1,000 and $2,000, but you can find plans with higher maximums and usually higher premiums.
Average Monthly Costs of Dental Insurance Plans
Here’s an overview of some average monthly costs of dental insurance plans.
| Insurance Provider | Dental Care Plan | Monthly Cost |
| Ameritas | PrimeStar Complete | $69 |
| Anthem | Essential Choice PPO Platinum | $60 |
| Cigna | Cigna Dental 1500 | $47 |
| Delta Dental | Delta Dental Patient Direct | varies |
| Denali Dental | Ridge Plan 750/1500/2000/2500 | $61 |
| Guardian Direct | Diamond | $58 |
| Humana | Preventive Value | $22 |
| Spirit Dental | Core Network | $46 |
| UnitedHealthCare | Primary Dental | $31 |
How Much Does Dental Care Cost Without Insurance?
How much dental care costs without insurance varies by region, the type of care and the dentist you choose, and whether it covers an individual or is a family plan. While a cleaning costs an average of $100 to $125, major dental care can cost significantly more.
Major Dental Services Costs
Major dental services costs without insurance vary based on necessary work. Here is an overview of average costs:
- Complete denture: $1,832
- Crown, ceramic or porcelain: $1,288
- Endodontic therapy of a molar: $1,138
- Gingivectomy or gingivoplasty: $352
With the best dental insurance, these costs could be reduced to just the value of your deductible, copay or coinsurance, usually as little as $50 up to 20% of total costs.
Basic or Restorative Dental Care Costs
Basic or restorative dental care costs without insurance are usually $100 to $300. Here are some basic costs:
- External whitening: $293
- Simple extraction: $196
- Filling – amalgam: $148
Preventive Dental Care Costs
Preventive dental care costs like cleaning usually cost $100 to $125. Dental x-rays usually cost between $25 and $750. Costs vary by dentist and region.
Types of Dental Insurance Plans
There are various types of dental insurance plans you can choose from. Here are the most common.
Dental HMO
A dental health maintenance organization plan or HMO is a type of dental insurance that is designed to help lower costs. Out-of-pocket dental costs are usually pre-determined, with no annual maximum for covered benefits. This feature can help you keep your budget under control regardless of dental needs.
- Lower premiums than other dental plans
- Set deductible
- Set copayments for covered services
- Little or no copayment for preventive care
- There is no annual maximum
- Smaller network of dentists than other plans
- Primary care dentist will usually need to be from a pre-approved list
- Out-of-network costs not covered
Dental PPO
Dental PPO plans are another health insurance structure. Compared to HMO plans, they usually have higher out-of-pocket costs and a deductible. However, you gain the flexibility to choose any dentist and don’t usually need a referral for a specialist.
PPO plans have a network of dentists you can choose from, and they typically offer greater flexibility. If you choose an out-of-network dentist, your copay may be higher, but you still retain some coverage.
- Flexibility to choose the dentist you want
- Larger network to choose from
- No referrals to visit a specialist
- No need to designate a primary care provider
- Partial reimbursement for treatment with out-of-network dentists
- Higher premiums
- Has a deductible
- Annual coverage limit
- Out-of-pocket costs may be higher than HMO plans
Fee-For-Service Plans
With a fee-for-service plan, you’ll pay for dental care at the dentist’s office and then file for reimbursement with your insurance provider. This could be an HMO, PPO or discount plan. While this means you’ll have to make an additional filing, in some cases, you could save on copayments or deductibles.
- Simplifies payments
- May pay less in copayments
- Choose any dentist you want
- Must wait for reimbursements
- Need to file paperwork and deal with the insurance company for every payment
Dental Discount Plans
While dental discount plans offer savings, they are not true dental insurance plans. Instead, they are membership-based clubs. You’ll receive a dental discount card in exchange for an annual fee. Dental discount plans give you access to discounted services at some dentists. While you typically won’t save as much as with insurance, these plans also cost less.
- Simplifies payments
- Choose any participating dentist
- Reduces overall costs for various dental procedures
- Technically not insurance
- You’re still responsible for 100% of the bill
Get the Best Dental Care Plan from Benzinga’s Top Insurance Providers
Find the best dental care providers from Benzinga’s top insurance providers here.
Protecting Yourself with Dental Insurance
Dental insurance can be a low-cost way to protect your family’s finances and ensure you get the necessary coverage. From low-cost HMO dental insurance plans to premium PPO plans or dental discount plans, the best dental plan option for your family can help you save more on basic dental care and protect you in case of a dental emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dental insurance may cover pre-existing conditions with a higher premium. However, that depends on your insurance provider and the specific condition.
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There may be a waiting period with new dental insurance plans. Standard waiting periods vary by plan terms but may be between three and twelve months.
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Yes, you can purchase dental insurance as a stand-alone plan.
