We all want a million-dollar smile, but at what cost? Dental insurance premiums can cost more than paying out of pocket for your annual cleanings and checkups, so it begs the question: do you really need dental insurance?

(Could STRESS be causing your teeth to hurt?)

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

There are many different dental plans to choose from, but most of them have adopted what is called the “100-80-50” coverage. This means that 100% of your preventative and diagnostic care will be covered, 80% of your basic procedures (fillings, root canals, etc) will be covered, and 50% of major procedures will be covered.

So, how does this coverage add up financially? Let’s take a look.

Comparing Costs

• Insurance Costs – Most people who have dental coverage have it provided through their employer, and these group plans typically cost an individual anywhere from $230-$430 annually, while private dental insurance policies average around $360 annually.

• Out-Of-Pocket Costs – With good dental hygiene, most years, a person should only need one set of X-rays and two cleanings. The out-of-pocket costs for these services averages around $370.

As you can see, by choosing to forgo investing in dental insurance you could save around $60/year, but what could you lose? It’s impossible to guess what could happen to you or your teeth in a given year. Different factors such as age, eating habits, genes, and dental history may help predict the type of dental work you will need, but nothing is certain. We are all susceptible to cavities, root canals, or a chipped tooth, and the cost for these procedures (out of pocket) are extraordinary.

Take Care of Yourself

So, do you really need dental insurance? Choosing to invest or not is a risk you have to decide for yourself, but if you are looking to save money, one thing is clear: you need to take care of yourself with proper dental hygiene and dental check-ups.

Check-ups exist to catch dental problems before they get too serious. If you wait until you feel pain inside your mouth, it may be too late. Don’t get stuck footing the bill for a major dental procedure that could have been prevented. Schedule your appointment today!