Dental Insurance Savings Calculator
Calculate whether dental insurance saves you money compared to paying out-of-pocket based on your expected treatments.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Dental insurance works differently from medical insurance. Most plans cover preventive care at 100%, basic procedures at 80%, and major work at 50% — a structure called 100-80-50. With annual maximums of $1,000-$2,000, insurance is most valuable for preventive care and moderate procedures.
The Formula
Insurance Pays = min(Preventive x 100% + Basic x 80% + Major x 50% - Deductible, Annual Max)
With Insurance = Dental Costs - Insurance Pays + Premiums
Net Savings = Without Insurance - With Insurance
With Insurance = Dental Costs - Insurance Pays + Premiums
Net Savings = Without Insurance - With Insurance
Variables
- Preventive — Cleanings, exams, X-rays — typically 100% covered
- Basic — Fillings, extractions, root canals — typically 80% covered
- Major — Crowns, bridges, implants — typically 50% covered
Example
With $35/mo premium ($420/yr), $100 deductible, $1,500 max: $450 preventive + $500 basic = $950 total. Insurance pays $750. You pay $620 (vs $950 without). Savings: $330.
Tips
- If you only need cleanings, the math rarely works out in favor of insurance
- Insurance is most valuable when you expect $1,000+ in basic/major work
- Most plans have a 12-month waiting period for major procedures
- Maximize your annual maximum — schedule procedures across calendar years
- Employer-sponsored plans are almost always worth it due to subsidized premiums