Is dental insurance worth it?

Depending on the premium for the plan you’re considering, you may find that you come out ahead by paying for the dental insurance. But perhaps that’s assuming you’ll make full use of the benefits and get yourself to the dentist for all of your routine care.

If you’re currently spending $0 on dental care because you just don’t go to the dentist, you’ll obviously start spending more now with a dental plan, since you have to pay the premiums. But routine dental care can help to avoid major dental care down the road. Your future self — and your wallet — will thank you.

What does dental insurance cover?

The benefits and cost of your dental coverage will depend on whether your plan is offered by an employer, obtained through a public health insurance Marketplace, provided as part of your state’s Medicaid program, obtained through a Medicare Advantage plan, or purchased directly from a dental insurance company.

Your policy may give you access to cleanings and routine exams with low – even $0 – out-of-pocket costs. And it may cover a portion of the cost of fillings and extractions after your deductible is met.

Some plans may also pay some of the cost of more extensive dental work, such as root canals, crowns, endodontics, and periodontics. But plans may have a waiting period for these services, or may cover a larger percentage of their cost after your plan has been in effect for a certain amount of time.

Some dental plans include benefits for cosmetic orthodontia services. Under pediatric dental coverage obtained via a health insurance Marketplace, orthodontia services will generally only be covered when considered medically necessary. It’s important to carefully review a dental insurance policy before and after purchasing.