Dental plans are small enough that the premium can easily exceed the benefit. This compares the full retail cost of the treatment you expect against what you would pay with the plan — premiums and deductible included, and capped by the plan’s annual maximum.
This tool applies officially published figures to the numbers you enter. It is not an insurance quote, it is not an eligibility determination, and it does not predict what a carrier will charge you. Only HealthCare.gov, Medicare.gov, Social Security or the carrier can determine your eligibility and your actual price.
Dental Insurance Cost & Savings: how it works
The annual maximum is the catch
Dental plans cap what they pay, usually between $1,000 and $2,000 a year. On a large treatment plan the cap is reached quickly and everything after it is yours. This calculator applies the cap, which is why a very expensive treatment does not increase the saving indefinitely.
Waiting periods on major work
Many plans make you wait six to twelve months before they pay toward crowns, root canals or dentures. If you need that work now, a plan bought today may not pay for it — check the waiting period before assuming the saving above applies this year.
Common questionsCommon questions
Are these real plan prices?
No. Every figure above is one you enter from a plan you are considering. We do not publish carrier premiums here. Send us the plan you are looking at and we will check the details against your dentist.
Is a discount plan the same thing?
No. A discount plan is not insurance — it gives you a reduced rate at participating dentists but pays nothing. For someone who only needs cleanings it can be cheaper; for major work, real insurance usually wins.