Guides
Plain-English explainers on dental procedure pricing, Medicaid coverage, and how to find affordable care.
- How dental procedures are coded (CDT D-codes)A plain-English guide to the standardized code set every dentist and Medicaid agency uses to bill for procedures.
- Medicaid dental coverage by state — what is covered for adultsComprehensive vs limited vs emergency-only: how MACPAC categorizes adult Medicaid dental coverage and what each tier means.
- Why dental costs vary by stateCost of living, Medicaid policy, and provider supply explain almost all of the cost spread between states.
- Wisdom tooth removal cost — state-by-state guideWhat the four CDT D-codes for wisdom tooth surgery cost across the US, and what drives the price differences.
- Dental crown cost in the US — what to expectPorcelain, PFM, and gold crowns range from $1,150 to $1,800 depending on state and material — here is the breakdown.
- Dental implant cost — Medicaid coverage gapsMost state Medicaid programs do not cover implants, leaving the full $4,000–$8,000 cost to the patient. What to budget for.
- How to find affordable dental care in your stateFQHCs, dental-school clinics, dental discount plans, and other paths to lower-cost dental care for uninsured adults.
Methodology
Cost figures on PlainDentalCost are derived from state Medicaid agency dental fee schedules, the ADA Health Policy Institute Survey of Dental Fees (2024), and BEA Regional Price Parities. Per-state private estimates use national averages adjusted by state-level cost-of-living indices. See the full methodology page for details.