Dental Insurance in the USA: How to Save Money on Your Smile

Dental Insurance in the USA: How to Save Money on Your Smile

Dental care is essential for your oral health and overall well-being. However, dental care can also be expensive, especially if you need complex or extensive procedures. According to the American Dental Association, the average annual dental expenditure per capita in the USA was 511 in 2018[¹](https://www.dentaly.org/us/dental-insurance-usa/). Moreover, some of the most expensive dental procedures can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. For example, a single dental implant can cost anywhere from 1,500 to $6,000, depending on the location and quality of the provider².

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of dental care and make it more affordable and accessible. One of the most common and effective ways is to get dental insurance. Dental insurance is a type of health insurance that covers some or all of the costs of dental services. Dental insurance can help you save money on preventive care, such as check-ups and cleanings, as well as restorative care, such as fillings and crowns. Dental insurance can also help you avoid or minimize unexpected dental expenses in case of emergencies or accidents.

However, not all dental insurance plans are created equal. There are different types, levels, and features of dental insurance that can affect your coverage, costs, and choices. Therefore, it is important to understand how dental insurance works and how to choose the best plan for your needs and budget. This article will explain:

• How much are the costs of dental care in the USA
• What are the most expensive dental procedures
• What are the most useful financing formulas for dental care
• What are the insurance policies for dental care

How much are the costs of dental care in the USA?

The costs of dental care in the USA depend on several factors, such as:

• The type and complexity of the procedure
• The location and experience of the provider
• The materials and equipment used
• The insurance coverage and discounts available

According to Fair Health Consumer, a website that provides information on health care costs and insurance in different states, here are some average prices for common dental procedures in the USA as of 2020³:

These prices are only estimates and may vary depending on your specific situation and provider. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with your dentist before undergoing any dental procedure and ask for a detailed quote.

What are the most expensive dental procedures?

Some of the most expensive dental procedures are those that involve replacing or restoring missing or damaged teeth. These include:

• Implants: Implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to support a crown or a denture. Implants are considered the most durable and natural-looking option for tooth replacement, but they are also the most costly. A single implant can cost anywhere from 1,500 to 6,000², depending on the location and quality of the provider. Moreover, implants may require additional procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting if there is not enough bone to support them.
• Crowns: Crowns are caps that cover damaged or decayed teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns can be made of different materials such as metal, porcelain, or zirconia. The cost of a crown can range from 500 to 2,000⁴, depending on the material used and the complexity of the case.
• Bridges: Bridges are prosthetic devices that replace one or more missing teeth by attaching artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or implants. Bridges can be fixed or removable and can be made of various materials such as metal, porcelain, or zirconia. The cost of a bridge can vary from 500 to 1,500 per tooth⁴, depending on the number of teeth involved and the material used.
• Dentures: Dentures are removable appliances that replace all or some of the missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Dentures can be complete or partial and can be made of different materials such as acrylic, metal, or nylon. The cost of dentures can range from 300 to 5,000⁴, depending on the type, quality, and fit of the denture.

These procedures can improve your smile and your oral health, but they can also put a dent in your wallet. Therefore, it is important to consider your options and plan ahead for the expenses.

What are the most useful financing formulas for dental care?

If you cannot afford to pay for your dental care out of pocket, there are some financing formulas that can help you cover the costs. These include:

• Dental insurance: Dental insurance is a type of health insurance that covers some or all of the costs of dental services. Dental insurance can help you save money on preventive care, such as check-ups and cleanings, as well as restorative care, such as fillings and crowns. Dental insurance can also help you avoid or minimize unexpected dental expenses in case of emergencies or accidents. However, not all dental insurance plans are created equal. There are different types, levels, and features of dental insurance that can affect your coverage, costs, and choices. Therefore, it is important to understand how dental insurance works and how to choose the best plan for your needs and budget.
• Dental discount plans: Dental discount plans are not insurance plans, but rather membership-based plans that offer discounts on various dental procedures at participating dentists. Dental discount plans can help you save money on dental care by paying a lower fee than the regular price. Dental discount plans can also offer other benefits such as no waiting periods, no annual limits, no deductibles, and no claim forms. However, dental discount plans do not cover any costs of dental services. You still have to pay for the discounted fee out of pocket. Therefore, dental discount plans are more suitable for people who need minor or occasional dental care.
• Dental loans: Dental loans are personal loans that can be used to pay for any dental treatment. Dental loans have fixed interest rates and monthly payments that can be tailored to suit your budget. Dental loans can be obtained from banks, credit unions, online lenders, or dental offices. Dental loans can help you finance your dental care without using your credit card or dipping into your savings. However, dental loans also come with risks such as high interest rates, fees, penalties, and credit score impact. Therefore, dental loans should be used responsibly and only when necessary.
• Dental credit cards: Dental credit cards are credit cards that are specifically designed for dental expenses. Dental credit cards offer low or no interest rates for a certain period of time (usually 6 to 24 months) if you pay off your balance in full within that time frame. Dental credit cards can be applied for online or at participating dentists. Dental credit cards can help you spread out the cost of your dental care over time without paying extra interest. However, dental credit cards also have drawbacks such as high interest rates after the promotional period ends, fees, penalties, and credit score impact. Therefore, dental credit cards should be used wisely and only if you can afford to pay them off on time.

These financing formulas can help make dental care more affordable and accessible for many people. However, they also have pros and cons that you should weigh carefully before choosing one.

What are the insurance policies for dental care?

As mentioned earlier, dental insurance is one of the most common and effective ways to reduce the cost of dental care and make it more affordable and accessible. However, not all dental insurance plans are created equal. There are different types, levels, and features of dental insurance that can affect your coverage, costs, and choices.

The main types of dental insurance are:

• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): PPO plans are the most popular type of dental insurance in the USA. PPO plans allow you to choose any dentist you want, but they offer lower rates if you visit a dentist who is part of their network. PPO plans usually have deductibles (the amount you have to pay before the insurance kicks in), co-payments (the fixed amount you have to pay for each service), and annual maximums (the limit on how much the insurance will pay in a year). PPO plans usually cover 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic care (such as fillings and extractions), and 50% of major care (such as crowns and implants).
• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): HMO plans are less common but cheaper than PPO plans. HMO plans require you to choose a primary dentist who is part of their network and get referrals from them for any other services. HMO plans usually have no deductibles, co-payments, or annual maximums. HMO plans usually cover 100% of preventive care and basic care, but they may not cover major care