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Many dental insurance policies help cover most or all of your preventative care costs. In many cases, a yearly X-ray is part of preventative care. If some dental patients need additional X-rays, dental coverage may help reduce the costs of these services and associated procedures. Let’s dive deeper into how dental X-rays work, some common types, and factors that can impact costs.
A dental X-ray is a simple procedure that helps a dentist see all areas in your mouth. It helps them see hidden structures, such as bones, nerves, and tooth roots. As a result, they can check the health of these structures and look for early warning signs of potential problems.1
To get an X-ray, the dentist uses X-ray equipment to send a small amount of X-ray radiation through your mouth. A detector on the other side captures the radiation to create the image.
Dental X-rays can either be intraoral or extraoral, meaning the film or sensor is placed inside or outside your mouth.1 Here are some intraoral X-ray types:
Here are some extraoral X-ray types:
Many dental insurance plans, such as Aflac dental insurance, offer full coverage for preventative care, which includes routine X-rays. As for the number of X-rays, our plans help cover one X-ray per year. Fortunately, many people with healthy teeth and gums may not need an X-ray that often.2
Some X-ray types, such as cone beam CT scans, may be part of basic or major services and cost extra. Still, Aflac offers significant coverage on basic and major treatments.
Here are some average costs for different kinds of X-rays without insurance:2
| X-Ray Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bitewing X-rays | $10 to $25 per section, $20 to $100 for an entire set |
| Periapical X-rays | $15 to $30 per tooth, $85 to $250 for the entire mouth |
| Occlusal X-rays | $20 to $40 |
| Panoramic X-rays | $60 to $150 |
| Cephalometric X-ray | $75 to $3003 |
| Cone beam CT scan | $100 to $1,0003 |
Here are some aspects that may affect the cost of your dental X-rays:
X-rays vary in complexity and resources required. Therefore, as seen above, each type may cost a different amount. For example, bitewing X-rays are the simplest and cost the least. On the other hand, cone beam CT scans are more complex and performed by a dental surgeon, driving up the cost.
The more X-rays you need, the more you’ll have to pay. For example, if you need multiple X-rays to help the dentist identify a potential dental issue, you may pay more to help cover the cost of all these X-rays. On the other hand, if you only need one routine X-ray, you may not pay as much.
Big cities tend to have higher living costs. A dentist in one of these cities may charge more for the same X-ray to remain profitable. On the other hand, a dentist in a more rural area may charge less. You may have fewer options and have to travel further, but you could save money.
Many dental insurance policies help cover the full cost of one annual X-ray as part of your preventative care coverage. Beyond that, plans vary. Some may offer partial coverage for additional preventative X-rays. Others may help cover X-rays that are part of procedures, such as dental implants, since these X-rays are part of the procedure’s total cost. Dental insurance that help cover more X-rays may cost more in premiums but can be worth it if you need the additional coverage.
Depending on your situation and the services you receive, you may have to pay additional fees. Some examples include digital image storage, records management, immediate image processing, and specialist analysis. Furthermore, emergency or after-hours X-rays may cost more due to their urgency.
X-rays are a crucial part of your preventative care, helping the dentist look at hidden areas of your mouth and catch early warning signs of issues while they're easier and less expensive to fix. Additionally, some X-rays are part of larger procedures, such as dental implants.
Aflac’s dental insurance policies offer full coverage for your annual preventative X-ray and can help reduce the costs of most other dental procedures. Speak with an agent today to explore your options and get a quote.
1Cleveland Clinic - Dental X-rays. Updated February 9, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/11199-dental-x-rays. Accessed April 22, 2024.
2Byte - What Do Dentists Charge for X-Rays? Is It the Same Everywhere? Updated May 31, 2022 https://www.byte.com/community/resources/article/x-rays-costs-same-everywhere. Accessed April 22, 2024.
3Teeth Talk Girl - Cost For Dental X-Ray With And Without Insurance? Updated January 9, 2023. https://www.teethtalkgirl.com/dental-health/cost-for-dental-x-ray-with-and-without-insurance/. Accessed April 22, 2024.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to ID, NJ, NM, NY, or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Plans and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact plans and riders for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. For availability and costs, please contact your local Aflac agent/producer.
Aflac Coverage
Dental (81000 series): In Arkansas, Policies A81100AR–A81300AR. In Delaware, Policies A81100–A81300. In Idaho, Policies A81100ID–A81300ID. In New York, Policies NY81100–NY81300.In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK–A81300OK. In Oregon, Policies A81100OR–A81300OR.In Pennsylvania, Policies A81100PA–A81300PA.In Texas, Policies A81100TX–A81300TX.In Virginia, Policies A81100VA–A81200VA.
Dental (82000 series): In Arkansas, Policies A82100RAR–A82400RAR. In Delaware, Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In New York, Policies NY82100–NY82400. In Oklahoma, Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Oregon, Policies A82100ROR–A82400ROR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A82100RPAR–A82400RPAR. In Texas, Policies A82100RTX–A82400RTX. In Virginia, Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York:
Tier One Coverage
T80000 Series:In Arkansas, Policy T80000AR. In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. In Oregon, Policy T80000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policy T80000PA. In Texas, Policy T80000TX.
Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
Aflac’s family of insurers include Aflac, Aflac New York, Continental American Insurance Company, and Tier One Insurance Company.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999.
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