How dental X-rays work?

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. 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.

How Much Are Dental X-Rays Without Insurance?

Q: Does dental insurance cover X-rays?

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 cover one X-ray per year. Fortunately, many people with healthy teeth and gums may not need an X-ray that often.

X-rays can help your dentist detect issues that aren’t visible during a visual exam, enabling them to treat minor problems before they become more serious and expensive. But how much are dental X-rays without insurance, and what can you expect to pay with coverage? Without insurance, dental X-ray costs can vary widely depending on the type of imaging and your dentist’s location. Aflac’s dental insurance plans can help cover preventive X-rays and reduce your out-of-pocket costs for additional imaging. Read on to learn how much dental X-rays cost without insurance and how Aflac’s coverage may lower your out-of-pocket costs.

4 min. read

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Key Takeaways

Average dental X-ray costs without insurance typically range from $52 to $120, depending on the type you need.¹
Dental insurance often covers routine dental X-rays in full, since they’re considered an important part of preventive care.
Aflac’s dental insurance can help lower the cost of X-rays and many other essential procedures.

Why would you need dental X-rays?

Dental X-rays help your dentist see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. During the process, your dentist directs a small amount of radiation through your mouth, and a sensor or film captures it to create detailed images of your teeth, their roots and surrounding structures.

Dentists can use X-rays to detect the following issues:²

Infections
Abscesses
Cavities
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Bone loss
Impacted or developing teeth

X-ray images can reveal early signs of dental problems before they become more serious and expensive to treat. By helping your dentist identify issues early, X-rays can reduce your risk of requiring more complex procedures down the line.

Common types of dental X-rays

Dental X-rays typically fall into two main categories.³

Intraoral X-rays (inside the mouth)

Intraoral X-rays include:

Bitewing X-rays, which show small sections of your upper and lower teeth.

Periapical X-rays, which capture a full, single tooth from root to crown.

Occlusal X-rays, which show the roof or floor of the mouth.

Extraoral X-rays (outside the mouth)

The most common types of extraoral X-rays are:

Panoramic X-rays, which rotate around your head to capture your entire mouth in one image.

Cephalometric X-rays, which are commonly used in orthodontic planning.

Cone beam CT scan, which provide detailed 3D images of your teeth, jaws, joints, nerves and sinuses to support more complex diagnoses and treatment planning.

How much do dental X-rays cost without insurance?

The average dental X-ray cost without insurance can range from $42 to $879, depending on the type you need. Below are average price ranges for various types of dental X-rays:⁴

Bitewing X-rays: $52 to $120
Periapical X-rays: $42 to $102
Occlusal X-rays: $43 to $103
Panoramic X-rays: $57 to $343
Cephalometric X-rays: $110 to $274
Cone beam CT scan: $361 to $879

What factors affect the cost of dental X-rays?

The type of X-ray you need is just one factor that can influence the total cost. Some other factors include the:

Number of images: If you need multiple X-rays, it can increase the total cost.
Dentist’s location: X-rays may be more expensive in areas with higher living costs.
Insurance coverage: Some dental insurance plans may cover part or all the cost of your X-rays, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses considerably.

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Does dental insurance cover X-rays?

Yes, many dental insurance plans cover routine X-rays. For example, Aflac’s dental insurance plans fully cover preventive X-rays, including bitewing X-rays once per year and full-mouth X-rays every three years.

If you need more imaging, your dental insurance may help cover a portion of the cost if the X-rays are medically necessary.

How much is a dental X-ray with insurance?

Dental X-ray costs with insurance are often much lower than paying out of pocket. As we mentioned, preventive X-rays may be fully covered, while other types may require a small copay or coinsurance. Coverage details vary by plan, so it’s important to review your policy.

Get a quote for Aflac dental insurance

X-rays are a crucial part of your preventive dental care, helping your dentist catch problems early by examining hidden areas of your mouth. Additionally, some X-rays are necessary for more complex procedures, such as dental implants.

Aflac’s dental insurance offers full coverage for your annual preventive X-rays. Our dental plans can also help cover several other preventive, basic and major procedures.

Speak with an agent today to explore your options and get a quote.

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