Dental Insurance
101
Understanding dental insurance can be confusing. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about dental coverage, from basic terms to maximizing your benefits.
What is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance is a type of health coverage designed to help pay for a portion of your dental care costs. Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance typically has lower premiums but also lower coverage limits.
- • Preventive care (cleanings, exams)
- • Basic procedures (fillings, extractions)
- • Major procedures (crowns, bridges)
- • Sometimes orthodontics
- • Cosmetic procedures (usually)
- • Pre-existing conditions (often)
- • Experimental treatments
- • Services above annual maximum
How Dental Insurance Works
Pay Your Premium
You pay a monthly premium to maintain your coverage, typically $20-$50 for individuals.
Meet Your Deductible
For basic and major procedures, you first pay your annual deductible (usually $25-$100).
Insurance Pays Its Share
After the deductible, your plan pays a percentage based on the procedure type (100%, 80%, or 50%).
You Pay the Rest
You're responsible for the remaining coinsurance plus anything beyond the annual maximum.
Key Numbers to Know
Most plans pay up to this amount per year
Amount you pay before insurance kicks in
Wait time for major procedures
Calculate Your Dental Costs
Now that you understand how dental insurance works, use our cost estimator to see what you might pay for different procedures.
Try the Cost Estimator