How to Make Dental Care More Affordable

Cost is one of the most common reasons people put off seeing a dentist — and waiting usually turns a small problem into a bigger one. This guide covers practical ways to keep dental care within reach, whether or not you have insurance.

You won't find treatment prices here, because what care costs depends on what you need. After an exam and any X-rays, we explain your options and what each is expected to cost before any treatment begins.

Prevention Costs the Least

The least expensive treatment is the one you never need. At regular checkups and cleanings we look for problems while they're still small:

• A cavity found early may need only a small filling. Left alone, it can reach the nerve and need a root canal and a crown
• Early gum inflammation can often be reversed with a cleaning and better home care. Advanced gum disease takes much more treatment
• A cracked tooth caught early can often be protected with a crown before it splits

Our guide to checkups and cleanings explains what happens at each visit.

Getting the Most From Dental Insurance

We're in-network with many major dental plans. The full list is on our payment and insurance page, and if you don't see yours, call us and we'll check.

• Use your preventive benefits. Many plans cover checkups and cleanings with little or nothing to pay — check what yours includes
• Know your deductible and annual maximum: what you pay before the plan starts paying, and the most it will pay in a year
• Plan around your benefit year. Where treatment can safely wait, it can sometimes be split across two benefit years so more of it is covered
• Ask about waiting periods if you've recently joined a plan
• Use your HSA card — we accept them

No Dental Insurance?

The Smile Makers Club

Our in-house annual plan for patients without insurance. It includes preventive care and has no deductibles, no annual maximums and no waiting periods. Ask us what membership includes.

Paying over time

We accept Cherry and CareCredit®, healthcare financing that lets you spread the cost of treatment into monthly payments, subject to approval.

Cards

We take Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, as well as HSA cards.

Other Ways to Keep Costs Down

• Don't wait on small problems. Sensitivity, a chipped edge or a lost filling are simpler to deal with now than later
• Ask which treatment is urgent. Not everything in a treatment plan has to happen at once
• Ask about alternatives. For a missing tooth, for example, an implant, a bridge and a denture differ in cost and in how long they last — see replacing missing teeth
• Protect what you have. A night guard if you grind your teeth, and a mouthguard for contact sports
• Look after your teeth at home. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals — see nutrition and oral health

Questions to Ask Before Treatment

• What happens if I wait?
• Which parts of my treatment plan are most urgent?
• Are there other options, and how do they compare?
• What is my insurance expected to cover?
• Can the treatment be done in stages?

Common Questions

Do you accept my dental insurance?

We're in-network with many major dental plans, listed on our payment and insurance page. If yours isn't there, call us with your plan details and we'll check your coverage.

What can I do if I don't have dental insurance?

You can join the Smile Makers Club, our in-house annual plan that includes preventive care, or pay by card or through Cherry or CareCredit® financing, subject to approval.

Can I spread the cost of treatment?

Yes. Cherry and CareCredit® let you pay for treatment in monthly installments, subject to approval. Our team can explain how to apply.

How do I find out what my treatment will cost?

Book an exam. Once we know what you need, we'll explain your options and what each is expected to cost — including what your insurance is expected to pay — before any treatment starts.

Are checkups worth it if nothing hurts?

Yes. Cavities and gum disease rarely hurt in their early stages, which is when they are simplest to treat. Regular checkups are how they're found before they become painful and more involved to fix.

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