dental cost vary depending on your location, dentist, and treatment. Keeping regular checkups and cleanings helps to keep out-of-pocket (OOP) costs low.
Most Medicare Advantage plans include dental coverage and have yearly maximums on how much the plan will pay for services. The annual maximum typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.
Preventive care
Preventive care is the key to keeping dental costs down. While it can cost more up front to see a dentist for regular checkups, the long-term costs are much lower. It’s also cheaper than remedial work, like fillings and root canals, which can cost thousands of dollars.
In general, most dental insurance plans prioritize preventive services over restorative procedures. They cover these services at 100%, or with minimal deductibles and co-pays. These costs are also excluded from annual maximums. However, a patient’s specific dental plan may differ from this standard.
In a new study, researchers found that patients who used preventive dental visits were able to reduce their total health care costs by nearly $1,200. This is due to the fact that they required fewer major dental procedures and incurred lower out-of-pocket costs over a three-year period. This study may help inform policymakers as they seek ways to encourage adherence to oral hygiene and other preventive dental treatments.
Routine cleanings
Dental cleanings are a key part of maintaining your oral health. They help reduce plaque, which if left untreated, can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. They also help prevent bad breath (halitosis) by removing the buildup of bacteria.
Routine cleanings are typically covered 100% by dental insurance plans. However, without coverage, they can cost upwards of $200.
Visiting the dentist regularly can save you a lot of money in the long run. If a problem like tooth decay is caught and treated early during a cleaning, it can save you the expense of more expensive procedures such as a root canal or a dental implant to replace a lost tooth.
A better way to save on routine cleanings is to join a dental network that offers low membership fees and discounts on services. Flossy is a great example of this type of dental plan and can save you up to 50% on your regular cleaning costs.
Fillings
When a cavity forms, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Delaying the procedure can result in more damage, leading to a pricey root canal or crown down the road.
Traditional dental fillings work by filling in the holes left by decayed tooth material, and they come in a variety of materials. Silver amalgam fillings are the cheapest option, while porcelain or composite resin fillings are more expensive.
Patients can reduce the cost of their filling by choosing a dentist that offers discounts or payment plans. They can also use an HSA or FSA (Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account), which allows them to pay out of pocket with pretax money. Another way to save on dental care is to brush and floss regularly, visit your dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups, and avoid sugary and starchy foods. This can help prevent cavities from forming in the first place.
Crowns
Crowns, also known as caps, are placed on top of a damaged tooth to help restore the tooth’s shape, strength and appearance when a filling is not enough. They are also used to support dental bridges or cover dental implants.
The cost of crowns can vary significantly depending on the clinic, type of restorative work and location of the tooth. For instance, metal crowns made from gold alloys are more expensive than those made from base metal alloys such as nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium, according to Authority Dental.
The cost of a dental crown can also depend on whether you visit an in-network or out-of-network dentist. Generally, in-network dentists are contracted with insurance companies to abide by specific fee schedules and are therefore able to offer you lower rates.
Bridges
Missing teeth are more than a cosmetic concern. They can lead to jaw instability, problems chewing and even gum disease. Dental bridges help restore the appearance of your smile and help your mouth function normally again. They can also reduce the stress on other teeth from excessive biting forces.
Typically, dental bridges cost around $1,000-$5,000 per tooth depending on the type of bridge you select, your dentist and the materials used. In addition to the cost of the actual bridge, there may be additional costs like fillings or root canals in one or two of your adjacent teeth to prepare them for the bridge. The artistic technique of your dentist and lab technicians will also impact the final cost.
Dental bridges are often partially covered by dental insurance. However, you may exceed your annual spending limit and need to pay out of pocket until the next plan year. This can be avoided by joining a dental savings plan.
Implants
Dental implants are a popular way to replace missing teeth, and they can look and feel just like your natural teeth. However, they can be expensive. Some insurance plans cover part of the cost. However, if you do not have insurance that covers the procedure, you will need to pay the full amount upfront. Fortunately, there are options for financing the costs of dental implants.
The first step in determining the price of your dental implant is a visit to the dentist. During this visit, the dentist will take X-rays and examine your gum and jawbone condition. He or she will also determine whether a bone graft is needed or if a tooth extraction is necessary.
The number of dental implants will also affect the cost. For example, if you need two or more implants to support a complete upper or lower denture, it will be more expensive than replacing a single tooth with an implant.