We work with your dental insurance.

How dental insurance works

Dental insurance is different from medical insurance in several important ways, and understanding the basics helps you make the most of your benefits.

Most dental insurance plans organize coverage into three tiers based on the type of treatment. Preventive care — exams, cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride for children — is typically covered at 100%, with no deductible. Insurance companies cover preventive care fully because it prevents more expensive problems down the line. Most plans allow two cleanings per year as preventive coverage.

Basic restorative care — fillings, simple extractions, and most non-surgical periodontal treatment — is typically covered at 70–80% after a deductible (usually $50–$150). The patient pays the remaining 20–30%.

Major restorative care — crowns, bridges, dentures, dental implants, and oral surgery — is typically covered at 50% after the deductible. Some plans have a waiting period before major coverage begins, especially in the first year of a new plan.

Most dental plans have an annual maximum — the most they will pay in a calendar year, typically $1,000 to $2,500. Once the annual maximum is reached, you pay 100% of additional costs until the new benefit year begins. For this reason, when major treatment is recommended, we sometimes phase it across two calendar years to take advantage of two annual maximums.

What we do for you

We work hard to make insurance as painless as possible.

• We verify your benefits before your appointment so we know exactly what is covered.
• We file claims on your behalf as a courtesy, with no extra charge.
• We provide written treatment plans with clear estimates of insurance coverage and your out-of-pocket cost before any procedure begins.
• We follow up with insurance companies on claims that are slow to process.
• We help you understand your coverage and how to make the best use of your benefits.
• We coordinate with your insurance for pre-authorization on major treatments when needed.

What we do not do

We do not let insurance dictate your care. Insurance plans are designed to limit costs for the insurance company, and the cheapest covered option is not always the best treatment for your long-term oral health. We recommend the right treatment for you based on clinical needs — and then we help you understand how insurance applies, what your options are, and how to manage any out-of-pocket cost.

We will always present the recommended treatment, alternative options when they exist, and clear pricing for each. The decision is yours, and we will respect it.

Maximizing your benefits

A few practical tips that can save you money over time:

• Use your two preventive cleanings every year. Even if you feel fine, the cleanings, exam, and X-rays are typically free under your plan and prevent costly problems later.
• If you reach your annual maximum, schedule the next major treatment in January when your benefits reset.
• If treatment can be split across two calendar years, we can plan it to take advantage of two annual maximums.
• Use any flex spending account (FSA) or HSA funds before they expire — most are use-it-or-lose-it.
• If your spouse has dental insurance, coordinate benefits — many couples can stack coverage for higher overall benefits.

What if I do not have insurance?

Approximately 30% of our patients are uninsured or self-pay. We offer transparent, fair fees for every procedure and provide written estimates upfront. We accept HSA and FSA payments, and we offer financing through CareCredit and other lenders that spreads the cost of treatment over 6 to 60 months. Many patients without insurance find that with HSA funds and modest financing, even larger procedures are very manageable. See our financing page for details.