\n<\/p>\n
\n Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.\n<\/p>\n
Going to the dentist isn\u2019t just uncomfortable. It\u2019s getting costlier.<\/p>\n
Between 1996 and 2015, the cost of dental care for a single person rose 23% when adjusted for inflation, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report. Inflation has led to even higher dental costs over the past year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index says dental costs increased by 5.4% between October 2021 and October 2022.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how much dental work costs\u2014and how to pay for it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Featured Dental Insurance Partners<\/p>\n
Network <\/p>\n
111,500 providers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Monthly premiums start at <\/p>\n
$24.69<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Network <\/p>\n
No network restrictions (all providers are covered)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Monthly premiums start at <\/p>\n
$25.00<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Coverage <\/p>\n
48 states and Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Network <\/p>\n
270,000 locations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Monthly premiums start at <\/p>\n
$17.99<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
There are many different types of dental work that can be performed, ranging from routine care to major medical procedures. We asked Steve Seigel, co-founder at Flossy, a pay-as-you-go dental discount company, to help us narrow down the most common procedures.<\/p>\n
Here are the average costs for the most common procedures, according to analysis by the American Dental Association.<\/p>\n
Going through insurance can help reduce dental care costs. Dental insurance<\/a> can save you thousands of dollars a year, depending on the policy and type of dental work.<\/p>\n Most medical plans don\u2019t include dental work, so dental insurance is sold separately. Dental insurance works similarly to health insurance (though it\u2019s usually much less expensive). You pay a premium in exchange for a certain amount of coverage.<\/p>\n Components of dental insurance costs<\/a> include:<\/p>\n Dental insurance doesn\u2019t typically cover all costs and some procedures may not be covered. Dental insurance coverage usually applies to three categories of dental care:<\/p>\n Dental insurance categories and typical reimbursement levels<\/strong><\/p>\n Make sure to read the fine print to see exactly how much your policy covers. Though dental insurance typically covers 80% of basic services and 50% of major services, policies may offer less or more generous coverage.<\/p>\n Dental insurance policies don\u2019t typically cover purely cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening. Orthodontic procedures, such as braces, may also be excluded from a dental insurance plan or may only be limited to children.<\/p>\n Some things also may be considered a medical procedure rather than a dental procedure. Certain types of oral surgery, for instance, may need to be billed to your health insurance. What is covered and by which type of insurance can vary on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your dentist before undergoing a major procedure. You\u2019ll want to know exactly what\u2019s covered and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.<\/p>\n Since you could still be faced with a large bill even if you have dental insurance, it\u2019s important to be strategic about when you have certain procedures completed.<\/p>\n Routine and preventive services are almost always covered at 100% by dental insurance. Be sure to get your regular dental exam and cleaning every six months or you\u2019re throwing money away and potentially letting a small dental issue grow into a larger problem.<\/p>\n Dental insurance typically comes with annual deductibles, so grouping multiple dental procedures within the same calendar year may work best. But remember that dental policies also have annual maximums, so it might not make sense if you group two expensive procedures in the same year that go well beyond your yearly maximum.<\/p>\n Dental insurance policies typically have provider networks. Depending on the policy, your insurance may not pay anything for out-of-network care or pay a lower amount. Sticking with an in-network dentist will ensure you pay the least out-of-pocket.<\/p>\n Some dental procedures are quite expensive, but if you don\u2019t have dental insurance, there are ways to save money.<\/p>\n Consider these options if you need help covering the cost of dental work.<\/p>\n Depending on the procedure or dentist, the price tag on your dental work may not be set in stone. If your dentist recommends a pricey procedure, start by asking a few questions.<\/p>\n For one, make sure that all the work is medically necessary; some cosmetic procedures (such as teeth whitening) may be beneficial but aren\u2019t crucial for your health to have done. Then find out if there are any discounts available. For instance, you could try negotiating 10% off for paying with cash upfront.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t secure a discount, see if your dentist will allow you to set up a payment plan instead. They may charge a modest interest rate. Or at the very least, your dentist may be able to push the due date on your bill out a few months to give you time to save for the procedure.<\/p>\n Instead of charging dental work to a high-interest credit card, look into borrowing a personal loan<\/a> instead. These loans can be used for just about any purpose and come with relatively low interest rates as long as you have decent credit. You\u2019ll also enjoy fixed payments over a few years, which helps spread out the cost.<\/p>\n An alternative to insurance, membership plans allow you to pay an annual membership fee in exchange for preventative care and discounts on other procedures.<\/p>\nHow does dental insurance work?<\/h3>\n
\n
What dental insurance covers<\/h3>\n
How to Get Dental Care With Insurance<\/h2>\n
Take advantage of preventive treatment<\/h3>\n
Group procedures in the same year<\/h3>\n
Stay in-network<\/h3>\n
What If You Don\u2019t Have Dental Insurance?<\/h2>\n
Negotiate the price<\/h3>\n
Ask about a payment plan<\/h3>\n
Take out a personal loan<\/h3>\n
Look into dental membership plans<\/h3>\n
Use a health savings account<\/h3>\n