How much does dental work cost? Forbes consultant

Going to the dentist isn’t just annoying. It’s getting more expensive.

Between 1996 and 2015, the cost of dental care for one person increased 23% when adjusted for inflation, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report. Inflation has driven up dental costs over the past year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index says dental costs increased 5.4% between October 2021 and October 2022.

Here’s how much dental treatment costs – and how to pay for it.

Average cost of common dental procedures

There are many different types of dental work that can be done, ranging from routine care to major medical procedures. We asked Steve Seigel, co-founder of Flossy, the pay-as-you-go dental discount company, to help us narrow down the most popular procedures.

Here are the average costs for the most common procedures, according to an analysis by the American Dental Association.

Average dental costs

How to pay for dental work with dental insurance

Going through insurance can help reduce dental care costs. Dental insurance It can save you thousands of dollars annually, depending on the policy and type of dental work.

How does dental insurance work?

Most medical plans do not include dental work, so dental insurance is sold separately. Dental insurance works similarly to health insurance (although it’s usually much less expensive). You pay a premium for a certain amount of coverage.

Components of Dental insurance costs Includes:

• Deductible: The deductible, which is usually annual, is the amount you pay before your insurance pays for dental services. For example, if you have dental insurance with a $50 deductible, the company will pay the dental claim minus the $50 deductible. This means that the insurance company will pay $250 for a $300 dental bill.
• annual maximum: The annual limit is the maximum amount a dental insurance policy will pay in a year for services. This could be $1,000, $2,000, or a different amount. Some policies contain annual and lifetime maximum amounts for certain dental services, such as braces. Once you reach the limit, you’ll pay for the rest of your covered dental services.
• Copay: This is a fixed amount that you pay at the time of treatment.
• Currency insurance: Once your deductible is met, you are responsible for paying a fixed percentage of the total amount charged for the service covered by the insurance. The exact percentage depends on the policy and type of dental work. For example, dental plans often cover 100% of the costs of preventive care, 80% of basic care such as fillings, and 50% of major care such as crowns. You can bear the rest of the costs.

What dental insurance covers

Dental insurance usually does not cover all costs and some procedures may not be covered. Dental insurance coverage typically applies to three categories of dental care:

Dental insurance classes and typical levels of reimbursement

Make sure you read the fine print to find out exactly how much coverage your policy covers. Although dental insurance typically covers 80% of basic services and 50% of major services, insurance policies may offer less or more generous coverage.

Dental insurance policies do not usually cover purely cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening. Orthodontic procedures, such as braces, may also be excluded from a dental insurance plan or may be restricted to children only.

Some things may also be considered a medical procedure rather than a dental procedure. Certain types of oral surgery, for example, may need to bill your health insurance. What is covered and the type of insurance can vary on a case by case basis.

That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist before undergoing a major procedure. You’ll want to know exactly what is covered and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.

How to get dental care with insurance

Since you can still run into a large bill even if you have dental insurance, it’s important to be strategic about when to finish certain procedures.

Take advantage of preventative treatment

Routine and preventive services are always 100% covered by your dental insurance. Make sure you get regular dental check-ups and cleanings every six months or you’re wasting money and potentially letting a small dental problem develop into a bigger one.

group actions in the same year

Dental insurance usually comes with annual deductibles, so bundling multiple dental procedures in the same calendar year may be best. But remember that dental policies also have annual caps, so it may not make sense if you bundle two expensive procedures in the same year that exceed the annual cap.

Stay in the network

Dental insurance policies usually have provider networks. Depending on the policy, your insurance may pay nothing for out-of-network care or pay less. Sticking to an in-network dentist will ensure you pay the least amount of money.

What if you don’t have dental insurance?

Some dental procedures are very expensive, but if you don’t have dental insurance, there are ways to save money.

Consider these options if you need help covering the cost of dental work.

negotiate the price

Depending on the procedure or your dentist, your dental work may not be priced. If your dentist recommends an expensive procedure, start by asking a few questions.

First, make sure all work is medically necessary; Some cosmetic procedures (such as teeth whitening) may be beneficial but are not essential to your health. Then find out if there are any discounts available. For example, you could try negotiating a 10% discount for paying cash in advance.

Ask about a payment plan

If you can’t get a discount, see if your dentist will allow you to set up a payment plan instead. They may charge a modest interest rate. Or at the very least, your dentist may be able to push the due date on your bill a few months to give you time to save on the procedure.

Get a personal loan

Instead of charging for dental services on a high-interest credit card, consider borrowing a personal loan instead of him. These loans can be used for almost any purpose and come with relatively low interest rates as long as you have decent credit. You’ll also enjoy fixed payments over a few years, which helps spread the cost.

Look into dental membership plans

As an alternative to insurance, membership plans allow you to pay an annual membership fee for preventive care and discounts on other procedures.

Use a health savings account

Health insurance companies offer High-deductible health plans (HDHP), which often contain Health Savings Accounts (HSA). These accounts allow you to save tax-free for future healthcare needs, including many dental care services, such as regular checkups, cleanings, fillings, root canals, and extractions.

You need an HDHP to contribute to an HSA, but even if you no longer have an HDHP, you can use the money you’ve saved in the account.