For some people, dental insurance is considered optional. After all, why pay a monthly premium if you only visit the dentist once or twice a year, right? Wrong.
The issue here is that oral health is about more than cleanings and checkups. Without insurance coverage, what begins as a relatively minor oral issue can become painfully expensive.
Let’s take a look at how dental insurance can pay for itself by examining the cost of preventative care versus emergencies.
Preventative care keeps your oral health in good condition to prevent other issues from occurring. Preventative care services are typically covered at 100% by most dental insurance plans, so you pay little or nothing out-of-pocket.
Typical preventative care includes:
- Cleanings: $75–$125 without insurance
- X-rays: $100–$200 without insurance
- Oral exam: $50–$100 without insurance
With insurance, these visits are typically fully paid or require a small copay. Routine cleanings help catch early symptoms like cavities or gum disease before they’re major (and pricey) issues.
So, what happens without dental insurance?
Without dental insurance, people typically miss or delay regular appointments. Unfortunately, untreated oral conditions do not self-correct. They become more serious and more expensive.
Here’s a quick look at the cost of common procedures without insurance that would otherwise be covered 50%–100% by dental insurance:
- Filling a cavity
o $150–$300 - Root canal
o $1,000–$2,500 - Tooth extraction
o $200–$700 - Crown placement
o $800–$2,000
A single emergency visit could cost as much as one’s full year’s insurance coverage. Beyond saving money, dental insurance offers peace of mind, better health, and access to a network of dental professionals.
Treat dental insurance as your financial safety net and forward-thinking health asset!