How To Find Affordable Dental Insurance & Alternative Options

Affordable Dental Insurance Plans

Dental care is essential to maintain excellent oral health and hygiene. However, dental treatment can be expensive without insurance coverage.  

Fortunately, many insurance companies offer affordable dental insurance plans so people and families can get the care they need. They offer a variety of plans that fit any budget, which ensures people are only paying for the dental services they need each year. 

It is important to pick an insurance plan that meets all dental care requirements. Some low-cost dental plans only cover preventive care (e.g., teeth cleanings). But they do not cover restorative care (e.g., cavity fillings and dental crowns) or orthodontics for children. 

Average Cost of Dental Care Without Insurance

The pocket costs of dental work can add up quickly without insurance. The average prices of standard dental procedures without coverage are as follows: 

• General Dentist Checkups — which includes teeth cleanings, x-rays, and dental exams, can cost up to $350 per visit without insurance. These routine visits are free with most low-cost dental insurance plans
• X-rays — can cost more than $200 on their own
• Simple Tooth Extraction — can cost up to $300 per tooth without insurance
• Cavity Filling — can cost up to $500 per tooth without insurance
• Root Canal Treatment — can cost up to $2,000 without insurance
• Dental Crown — can cost over $1,500 without insurance
• Wisdom Tooth Removal — can cost up to $650 per tooth without insurance
• Other Dental Restorations — this includes dental implants, bridges, and dentures, which can cost a few thousand dollars without insurance

Average Cost of Dental Work With Insurance 

With many affordable dental insurance policies, you can expect:

• 100 percent coverage on routine preventive care, such as teeth cleanings, x-rays, and dental exams
• 50 percent coverage on restorative treatments, such as cavity fillings, dental crowns, dental bridges, and more
• 25 percent coverage on minor oral surgeries, such as wisdom teeth removal
• Partial orthodontia coverage for children under 18 years of age

Popular Insurance Coverage Options

To help you choose the right coverage, compare a few different affordable dental insurance plans below:

Delta Dental

Delta Dental is the most affordable and well-known dental insurance provider. The “Basic Care Dental Insurance” plan is quoted at $123 per year and has a $15 enrollment fee. This plan fully covers preventive dental care and partially covers restorative dental care.

About 30 percent of Americans use Delta Dental. Unlike most insurance plans, a basic plan from Delta Dental has no maximum and no deductible. 

Spirit Dental

Spirit Dental provides affordable dental insurance for individuals and families. Coverage can cost anywhere between $36 and $70 per month. Dental benefits can include:

• Three free teeth cleanings per year
• Partial orthodontia coverage (children only)
• Partial coverage for major services (e.g., dental implants, dental bridges, dental crowns, inlays, and dentures)
• Guaranteed acceptance and no waiting period 
• $1,200 to $5,000 annual maximum

Humana

Humana is another well-known dental insurance company. Humana offers a Preventive Plus (PPO) dental insurance plan that covers preventive care and basic dental services. A PPO plan allows you to choose a dentist that is either in or out of the network. However, treatment will be more expensive with an out-of-network dentist.

If you need extra dental coverage, you will have to invest in a more expensive insurance plan. Fortunately, Humana dental insurance is relatively inexpensive. A plan can cost anywhere between $20 and $48 per month.

Humana also offers a discount dental plan, which is different from insurance. With a discount plan, you will pay your dentist directly at a lower cost. Benefits of Humana discount dental plans include:

• No annual deductible or annual maximum
• No paperwork or insurance claims
• No waiting period, which means you will get discounted services right away
• You only pay for the treatments you need each year (directly to your dentist)
• Savings on preventive dental care, simple tooth extractions, and restorative procedures
• Discounts on vision care, prescriptions, alternative medicine, and hearing services

CIGNA

Cigna offers over 20 different dental insurance plans. Many of them can cost anywhere between $19 and $35 per month. The cheapest plan only covers preventive dental care, while the most expensive plan covers:

• 100 percent of preventive dental care (teeth cleanings, x-rays, and dental exams)
• Up to $1,000 on orthodontic services for children (separate deductible)
• $50 deductible for individuals and $150 deductible for families
• Up to $1,500 coverage on restorative dental care per year (after deductible)

Other Dental Coverage Options: Discount Dental Plans

Discount dental plans are another way to save on dental care costs if you cannot afford insurance. All discount plans have similar benefits, including:

• You only pay for the dental services you need when you need them
• You pay one low annual fee instead of monthly premiums
• As a member, you have easy access to in-network dentists who offer reduced prices
• You pay your dentist directly at reduced rates
• No approvals, claims, or application forms are necessary

Careington has a dental discount plan that provides 20 to 60 percent savings on all types of dental care. Members can save on preventive treatment, restorative treatment, endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, and more. Learn more about Careington below.