Why Do You Need Dental Insurance?

Your oral health is a vital part of your overall health and maintaining a healthy routine with your dentist can get costly if you pay out-of-pocket. Cigna dental insurance is a helpful tool that can help ease the burden of out-of-pocket cost for dental treatment. Dental insurance usually pays for itself simply by covering the cost of preventative care appointments. If you see your dentist regularly twice a year, you could easily spend up to $500 at each visit. Most dental insurance plans cost less than that each year and will at minimum cover the cost of both appointments.

Why do you need dental insurance?

Dental insurance is a great way to also ensure that you do keep up with your oral health. Patients that do not have dental insurance are far less likely to see their dentist for preventative care, instead waiting until something is wrong. Let's take a look at the average cost of dental care without insurance.

Every dental office has their own fee schedule and patients that live in metropolitan areas can expect to pay higher prices than those living in more rural areas.

Preventative cleanings: Your twice a year check up including a cleaning and exam can cost between 80 and $500. This will also depend on the need for any dental x-rays which can add on additional fees. Cigna dental insurance usually covers the full cost of preventative care appointments.

Dental fillings: The average cost of a composite filling is between $140 and $600. The range varies, depending on the extent of the decay, the location of the defective, and the type of material used. Depending on your plan, Cigna dental insurance may cover between 50% and 80% of the cost.

Dental crowns: Crowns run between $1000 and $2225, depending on the materials used. Cigna dental insurance may cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of a crown.

Extractions: The cost of an extraction greatly depends on the type of extraction performed. If it is a simple extraction, the cause is usually between $75 and $300 per tooth. The fee can go up to several thousand dollars if you need a surgical extraction, which is used when the tooth is impacted below the gum tissue or if it is broken. Wisdom teeth removal is often considered a surgical extraction as well. Cigna dental insurance may cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of extractions.

Dental insurance through Employer vs Individual Plans

One of the biggest benefits of enrolling for Cigna dental insurance through your employer is that your employer will often pay part of the cost of your premium. Employers also typically arrange a group rate in which case your monthly premium is often lower than what you could get on your own.

If you do decide to invest in an individual dental plan, you can purchase that directly from Cigna or through Marketplace. There are a number of plans to choose from that will ensure you have the best coverage for you and your family.

Regardless of what type of dental insurance you selected, it is important to take the time to find a dentist that is in network with your insurance provider. Otherwise, you will still need to pay out-of-pocket for your dental appointments and then get reimbursed from your insurance.

Learn more about our financial and insurance options.

What Are the Types of Dental Insurance Cigna Offers?