YOUR TEETH ARE IMPORTANT! GET DENTAL INSURANCE STARTING AT $12.99 PER MONTH

Dental Insurance is an insurance plan designed to cover the costs of preventive care, including routine exams, cleanings and x-rays. Some may also offer coverage for certain basic restorative services like fillings, but you pay more out of pocket.

One of the most common questions is how much is a dental cleaning without insurance. At some offices, the cost of a dental cleaning can be up to $200. 

The cost of fillings without insurance has a much larger range, from $200 to $600. It can also cost much more depending on the severity of the cavity.

Root canals vary depending on which tooth needs work but can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,800.

Without insurance, the average cost of a crown is around $1,100.

INDEMNITY DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN: This plan may be helpful when you want to stay with your dentist and he/she does not participate in a dental network. By the very nature of this plan the insurance company generally pays the dentist a percentage of your services according to the policy you purchased. In addition you will want to review the co-payment requirements, waiting periods, stated deductible, annual limitations, graduated percentage scales based on the type of procedure and/or length of time you have owned the policy prior to starting your dental work.

DENTAL HEALTH MANAGED ORGANIZATION (DHMO): When a dentist signs a contract with a dental insurance company that provider agrees to accept an insurance fee schedule and give their customers a reduced cost for services as an In-Network Provider. Many DHMO insurance plans have little or no waiting periods, no annual maximum benefit limitations, while covering major dental work near the start of the policy period. This plan is sometimes purchased to help defray the high cost of the dental procedures. Some dental insurance plans offer free semi-annual preventative treatment. Fillings, crowns, implants and dentures may have various limitations.

PARTICIPATING PROVIDER NETWORK (PPO): Depending on your specific plan, the PPO works similar to a DHMO while using an In-Network facility. However, it allows you to use an Out-of-Network or Non-Participating Provider. Any difference of fees will become the financial responsibility of the patient unless otherwise specified in your dental policy. As noted, some dental insurance plans may have an annual maximum benefit limit. Thus, once the annual maximum benefit is exhausted any additional treatments may become the patient’s responsibility. Each year that annual maximum is reissued. The reissued date may vary as a calendar year, company fiscal year, or date of enrollment based on your specific plan.