How much is the average visit to the dentist?

By Kendra L. Patterson, DMD | Dentist

Sep 23

Everyone needs dental work at a point in their lives. However, not everyone would like to pay for dental insurance. Before visiting a dentist, it’s important to understand the typical average cost for some of the most common dental procedures, particularly if you are not covered by dental insurance. Below is a general view of the typical price for common dental procedures whether you have insurance, or if you do not have insurance.

Checkups and teeth cleaning

Checkups and teeth cleaning include a dental exam, x-rays, and cleaning.
In most locations, the typical price for a check-up is about $140-$288. If you have insurance, you are likely to get free checkups every six months. If you do not have insurance, it is significant that you get those checkups at least twice a year to avoid complications that can lead to expensive procedures.

Cavity fillings

Cavities are the most common dental problems. If you are diagnosed with a cavity, your treatment plan will be a cavity filling to avoid a root canal and a crown. For a simple composite filling, you can expect to pay an average of $208 without insurance. If you do have insurance, you can expect to pay 20 percent to 80 percent of the average cost depending on your insurance coverage for treatments.

Wisdom teeth extractions / Teeth extractions

In most cases, you will need anesthesia which can be costly. The average cost per tooth extraction is $200 – $700 without insurance. Impacted teeth tend to cost more than an average simple tooth extraction; impacted teeth can cost you anywhere from $600- $1,000. With insurance, you can expect to pay 20 percent to 50 percent of the price out of pocket.

Root canals

If you need a root canal, you can expect to pay an average of $300 for your front teeth, or $600 for back teeth (per tooth). If you do not have insurance, root canals range from $900 to $1200. Root canals in the back teeth tend to cost less than front teeth. Root canals are normally followed by a crown to protect the outside of your teeth.

Crowns

A crown procedure normally follows a root canal. If a crown is needed, you can expect to pay $600 to $1,000 per crown placement. If you have insurance, you can save up to 80 percent of that cost. Since crowns are placed after a root canal, you likely must pay for the root canal and the crown together which can cost you up to $3,000.

If you feel that your teeth need a checkup, or if you are experiencing any type of dental pain, it is important that you go to a dentist to check on your teeth. The sooner you get the problem diagnosed and treated, the less you will likely pay. A simple filling procedure can become an expensive root canal and a crown if left untreated. If you ignore a root canal, you will likely require a tooth extraction; it is very vital to act quickly when you start noticing dental issues.

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