Putting off regular cleanings because you don’t have dental insurance may feel easy enough. But when you’re dealing with a toothache or some other dental issue, you may start wondering, “how much does it cost to go to the dentist without insurance?”

Dental insurance is a great resource and an important step toward keeping up with preventative dental care. But if you need to see a dentist without insurance, there are plenty of ways to pay for your dental treatments.

Whether you’re seeking an affordable dentist without insurance or are interested in the cost of the dentist without insurance, keep reading for tips from our Baton Rouge dentist office.

How Much Does It Cost to Go to The Dentist Without Insurance?

The actual cost of going to the dentist without insurance is going to vary based on a number of factors.

Costs may vary based on your location, the particular office you’re visiting and their payment options, the actual procedures being performed and the level of sedation needed for the treatment.

And while it may be tempting to skip the cost of regular preventative dental cleanings, it may actually save you more money in the long run, since the cost of dental cleanings are far lower than the cost of major procedures like root canals, tooth extractions and cavity fillings.

“It is much more cost-effective to keep up with your dental health with regular cleanings than to wait until problems arise,” said Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Morse.

 No matter why you’re seeing a dentist without insurance, however, there are a few options for payment that are important to explore.

How to Pay for The Dentist Without Insurance

When you’re facing the challenge of paying for the dentist without insurance, it’s important to explore all of your payment options. Payment options may vary depending on the dentist office you’re visiting, but typically there are a few primary options.

Pay Out of Pocket

Most dentist offices, including our Baton Rouge dentist office, accept cash, credit cards and checks to cover dental procedures. This is one of the simplest ways to pay for the dentist without insurance, especially if you’re able to afford the costs of your dental treatments.

If you’re planning on packing out of pocket for the dentist, it’s important to focus on getting regular preventative care so that you save money in the long run. You may also want to call your dentist office ahead of time to get an estimate of your costs. While these will vary if you need dental procedures beyond a regular cleaning, your dentist office should at least be able to give you a rough estimate so that you can plan and prepare.

Purchase Individual Dental Insurance

If you don’t get dental insurance as a benefit through your job, there are plenty of options to purchase personal dental insurance so you’re not faced with a trip to the dentist without insurance at all.

There are many options for purchasing individual and family personal dental insurance plans. If you’re interested in getting personal dental insurance, be sure to research the available plans in your state. You may also want to talk with your dentist office to determine which plans they accept.

Our Baton Rouge dentist office, for example, accepts most dental insurance plans. But some offices may only accept plans from specific insurance companies. Talking with your dentist about your insurance options is the best way to make sure you’re choosing a good plan.

Sign Up for a Discount Dental Plan

If purchasing personal insurance or paying out of pocket is not an option, then a discount dental plan could be a good fit. Not all dentist offices offer discount plans, but it’s worth inquiring with your dentist if you’re faced with paying for the dentist without insurance.

At College Family Dentistry in Baton Rouge, our Discount Dental Plan is an important part of our commitment to offering the best affordable dental care to our patients.

Each year, our Discount Dental Plan includes two healthy hygiene cleanings per member, two exams per member and an X-Ray series per member, as well as a periodontal evaluation and intraoral camera exam. These are key preventative procedures that will help you maintain good oral health.

Additional services are offered under the Discount Dental Plan at a discount, including cosmetic or restorative dental procedures, emergency visits and Invisalign services. Discounts on these services vary.

At our Baton Rouge dental office, the Discount Dental Plan is a great fit for many patients who need to see a dentist without insurance because all patients are eligible regardless of their dental conditions. Benefits also begin immediately after registration, so if you’re facing an urgent dental issue you can enroll and get seen right away.

Ready to See A Dentist Without Insurance?

If you’re ready to see a dentist without insurance, start exploring the options for an affordable dentist in your area. If you’re located in Baton Rouge, dentist payment options at College Family Dentistry could be a great place to start.

For more information on our out-of-pocket dental costs and our Discount Dental Plan, please contact our Baton Rouge dental office today.