Good oral care is a crucial part of leading a healthy lifestyle. But dental procedures can be expensive, especially without insurance. While dental insurance can help reduce your out-of-pocket dental costs , there are some additional ways to help save money on expensive procedures.
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How much do dental procedures cost?
Routine dental care is generally covered by insurance and may not break the bank. Some dental procedures, however, are much more expensive, although they may have partial benefits within dental insurance. Some costly dental procedures include:1
- Dental implants cost: $3,000 to $4,500
- Dental bridge cost: $2,000 to $5,000
- Dental crown cost: $1,100 to $1,500
- Veneers cost: $950 to $2,200
- Dental bleaching cost: $500 to $1,000
Each of these costs may vary based on your location, the number of teeth that require treatment, the type of procedure, and more factors. While dental insurance typically helps cover medically necessary procedures, ones that are deemed for cosmetic purposes are usually not covered. This can have a significant impact on what you pay out of pocket.
How to help save money on dental procedures
Dental care may be very expensive, especially for more comprehensive procedures. But there are ways you can help save money and find more affordable dental care.
1. Compare dental plans
Depending on your provider, dental insurance may help cover preventative care like cleanings, basic care like fillings, and more significant medically necessary procedures like crowns.2 It’s important to compare plans to make sure they suit your specific needs. Some considerations to bear in mind include:
- Does the plan offer both individual and family plans?
- Are you required to use an in-network dentist (dental HMO plan) or can you choose your own (PPO plan)?2
- Is there a maximum annual benefit?
- What are the plan’s deductibles and copayments?
- Does the plan exclude coverage of certain treatments?
- How much are monthly premiums?
The answers to these questions will help you choose the right plan for your budget and needs. For instance, some providers may offer more coverage or reduced costs if you use an in-network dentist for a procedure. Likewise, some providers may have higher deductibles or copays depending on your plan and the specific dental procedure.
2. Go to a dental school
Many dental schools offer discounted services. The catch is that your procedure will be done by a student, with oversight by a faculty dentist. Dental schools may not offer every treatment, but it can be a good way to help reduce costs for preventative care, as well as some more minor (but still expensive) procedures like fillings or root canals.3
Remember, these are students, so while they’re certainly more qualified than the average person, you might have a less comfortable or seamless experience than you would with a professional, fully licensed dentist.
3. Negotiate
Believe it or not, you can negotiate a dental bill. After receiving the bill, contact the billing department and ask if there is a cash or check discount. If applicable, tell the department that you’re uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise financially challenged, and you may be able to get on a payment plan to ease the upfront costs. It doesn’t benefit anybody if you can’t pay for a service that has already been rendered, so you may have some wiggle room in a bill if you can prove that it would create financial hardship for you.
4. Consider a community health center
Community-based clinics often offer routine and some specialty dental services at a discounted rate, although appointments and services offered may be limited. Visit the HRSA Data Warehouse or contact your local health department to find a clinic.
5. Take proactive care of your teeth
The best way to avoid costly dental procedures is to avoid them in the first place. These preventative measures can help:
- Get a routine dental exam and cleaning twice annually.
- Get dental X-rays.
- Brush twice daily and floss daily.
The bottom line
Dental care can be expensive, especially if you need a major procedure. By comparing insurance plans, exploring alternative care options, and practicing good oral hygiene, you can help save money or possibly avoid needing expensive procedures altogether.
Sources:
1 Flossy – Dental Costs: Cost of Dental Implants, Dental Bridges, Dental Bonding & More [2024 Guide]. Updated October 30, 2024. https://www.flossy.com/blog/dental-procedures-cost-list?pseudo_id=(2070630945.1744898663). Accessed April 24, 2025.
2 WebMD – Dental Insurance: What’s Covered, What’s Not. Updated January 21, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/dental-insurance-overview. Accessed April 24, 2025.
3 Colgate — Discount Dental Work Through a Dental School. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/discount-dental-work-through-a-dental-school. Accessed April 24, 2025.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Dental, Vision, and Hearing coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. Dental claims are administered by SKYGEN USA, LLC. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
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