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Patient tool · Dental & orthodontic

Dental treatment cost estimator

Estimate your share of a dental treatment plan with coverage tiers, a deductible and an annual maximum.

Editorial review in progress · How we review

Uses 2026 figures
Treatment plan cost
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Your dental plan
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Your results will appear here.
Adjust the numbers, then press Calculate.

Assumptions
  • Typical 100/80/50 coverage; the deductible applies to basic care first, then major. Preventive care usually skips the deductible.
  • Waiting periods, frequency limits, missing-tooth clauses and out-of-network fees aren't modeled.
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Dental insurance works differently from medical insurance. Coverage is usually split into tiers, and most plans have a yearly maximum that big treatment plans can reach quickly. This calculator estimates what you'll pay for a full treatment plan.

How it works

Enter the cost of your treatment in three groups:

  • Preventive: cleanings, exams and X-rays. Plans commonly pay 100%.
  • Basic: fillings and simple extractions. Commonly 80%.
  • Major: crowns, bridges, root canals, dentures and implants. Commonly 50%.

Then enter your plan's percentages, the deductible you still owe, the annual maximum and how much of it you've already used this year.

The calculator applies the deductible to basic care first, then to major care. Preventive care usually skips the deductible. It adds up what the plan would pay, then caps it at what's left of your annual maximum. Anything above the cap is shown as lost to the annual maximum.

Example

A treatment plan includes $200 of preventive care, $500 of fillings and a $2,000 crown and build-up. The plan pays 100/80/50 with a $50 deductible and a $1,500 annual maximum.

  • Preventive: plan pays $200.
  • Basic: $500 − $50 deductible = $450 × 80% = $360.
  • Major: $2,000 × 50% = $1,000.

That's $1,560, but the annual maximum caps it at $1,500. You'd pay about $1,200, and $60 of benefits would be lost.

Timing can help

If it's safe to wait, ask your dentist whether part of the work can be scheduled after your plan year resets, often January 1. Splitting a large treatment plan across two plan years can use two annual maximums instead of one. Never delay care your dentist says is urgent.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a dental annual maximum?

It's the most your dental plan will pay in a plan year. Many plans cap benefits between $1,000 and $2,000. After that, you pay the full cost until the plan year resets.

Which category is my treatment in?

Plans define categories differently. Root canals and periodontal care are basic on some plans and major on others. Your treatment plan or a pre-treatment estimate from the office will show it.

What's a pre-treatment estimate?

The office sends your treatment plan to your insurer, which replies with what it expects to pay. It's the most reliable estimate before major work.

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