How Much Does a Dental Exam Cost Without Insurance?

If you’re looking to visit your dentist for a routine dental exam but don’t have insurance, you can expect to pay an average of $400 as a new patient. With 74 million Americans lacking dental coverage, various options are available to offset these costs. Prices may vary based on your state, which dental procedure you need, and the overall condition of your dental health.

Common Dental Procedures and Their Respective Costs Without Insurance

A dental check-up typically includes an oral examination, a full mouth X-ray, and comprehensive teeth cleaning. Prices vary primarily by geographical location and state. Resources like Delta Dental and FEP Dental allow you to use your zip code to estimate the cost of dental services in your area. The following lists show the price range of these individual procedures by state according to these dental pricing tools.

Average Dental Check-Up Total Cost by State

Dental check-ups include an oral exam, teeth cleaning, and a full mouth X-ray. These procedures are consistently performed at both comprehensive and period dental visits.

Average Oral Exam Cost by State

Oral exams are performed on patients to determine their complete dental health and history. The dentist will evaluate your medical history, oral habits, and diet and complete a dental cleaning. During this time, your dentist will use different tools to assess your teeth and identify any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, or other problems. 

Average Teeth Cleaning Cost by State

The goal of a teeth cleaning is to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth. This prevents the growth of bacteria and promotes healthy teeth and gums. The dentist or hygienist will continue flossing your teeth and brushing them with an electric toothbrush. This prophylactic measure typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. When done routinely, teeth cleaning can help prevent various oral issues such as halitosis and tooth decay.  

Average Full X-Ray Cost by State

X-rays are also commonly taken during routine oral exams to assess the health of your teeth beyond the physical examination. Before the X-ray, the dentist will instruct you to wear a protective covering over your chest to protect yourself from radiation. Following this, your dentist will have you bite down on a piece of plastic while they take an X-ray picture of the inside of your mouth. They will proceed to analyze the X-rays for signs of cavities, wisdom teeth, impacted teeth, and other oral problems emerging below the surface of your mouth.