Almost all dental plans include coverage for routine exams, cleanings, routine X-rays, the kind of preventive care you need to keep your teeth healthy. Most cover dental work like fillings, extractions, and root canals. What services are covered and how much insurance will pay vary greatly by plan.

Your plan may include copays, a fixed cost you pay for a certain service, like an X-ray.

Your deductible is what you have to pay out-of-pocket for services covered by your plan before the insurance company pays.

Dental insurance from a PPO means that you can choose any dentist, in or out of network, and you don’t need a referral. You also have the flexibility to visit dentists and specialists outside of your network, but at a higher cost.

Dental insurance from an HMO comes at a lower cost, but requires that you only visit dentists and specialists that are in network. Dental HMO plans also commonly include copays.