Serving Summerlin, Las Vegas, Spring Valley, Henderson, The Ridges, Centennial Hills & The Lakes
Dental insurance in Nevada is simultaneously one of the most valuable benefits you can have and one of the most misunderstood. Patients routinely leave thousands of dollars in coverage unused every year because they do not understand what their plan covers, when benefits expire, or how to combine insurance with financing to afford treatments that exceed their annual maximum.
This guide is written specifically for Nevada residents, not a generic national overview. It covers the plan types you will actually encounter through Las Vegas employers, the Nevada Health Link marketplace, Medicaid, and individual purchase. It explains what is typically covered, what is not, how to extract maximum value from your benefits, and how to fill the gaps so that nothing stands between you and the dental care you need.
Why Understanding Dental Insurance Matters More in Nevada
Nevada’s environment and economy create dental challenges that make smart insurance usage more consequential here than in most other states.
The desert accelerates dental problems. Las Vegas receives fewer than four inches of rain annually, with humidity often below 15 percent. Chronic dry mouth reduces the saliva that protects enamel, neutralizes acid, and suppresses bacteria. Cavities, enamel erosion, and gum disease develop faster here than in humid climates. This means Nevada residents are more likely to need restorative procedures and more likely to hit their annual insurance maximum, than residents of states with gentler climates.
Coverage gaps are common in the Las Vegas workforce. Hospitality, gaming, entertainment, construction, and gig economy jobs employ a significant portion of the valley’s population. Some of these positions offer limited dental benefits; many offer none. Even among employers who provide dental insurance, including major resorts like MGM, Caesars, and Wynn, annual maximums are typically capped at $1,000 to $2,500, which covers routine care but can fall far short when restorative work is needed.
Nevada’s population growth means new residents navigating unfamiliar plans. Tens of thousands of people relocate to the Las Vegas Valley each year from California, Arizona, the Midwest, and beyond. Many arrive with employer-provided insurance from their previous state and must navigate new plan options, often while their teeth are already adapting (poorly) to the desert climate.
Types of Dental Insurance Plans Available in Nevada
Understanding your plan type is the first step toward using it effectively.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans are the most common among Las Vegas employers and the most flexible. You can see any dentist, though you pay less with an in-network provider. PPO plans typically cover preventive care at 100%, basic procedures at 80%, and major procedures at 50%. Annual maximums usually range from $1,000 to $2,500. Most of our Summerlin Dental Solutions patients carry PPO plans because they allow freedom to choose Dr. Cohan directly.
HMO / DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization) plans require you to select a primary care dentist from a specific network. Referrals are typically needed for specialists. Premiums are lower, but so is flexibility. Copays are fixed and predictable, which some patients prefer, but network restrictions can limit your options significantly, particularly if you want access to a provider with advanced technology like 3D CBCT imaging and AI-assisted radiology.
Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Checkup provide dental coverage for qualifying low-income adults and children. Adult Medicaid dental benefits are limited, typically covering emergency extractions, exams, and basic preventive services. Children enrolled in Nevada Checkup receive more comprehensive coverage, including restorative procedures. Coverage details and prior authorization requirements change periodically, so verification before each visit is essential.
Individual and Marketplace Plans are available through the Nevada Health Link exchange or purchased directly from carriers like Delta Dental, Cigna, and Guardian. These plans are important for self-employed residents, gig workers, early retirees, and anyone whose employer does not offer dental benefits. Premiums range from roughly $20 to $60 per month for individual coverage, with annual maximums and coverage tiers similar to employer-sponsored PPO plans.
What Nevada Dental Insurance Typically Covers
Most Nevada dental plans follow a tiered coverage structure. The specifics vary by carrier, but here is the framework you will encounter across nearly every PPO and marketplace plan in the state.
| Category | Typical Coverage | Common Procedures | Your Cost (est.) |
| Preventive | 100% | Exams, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride | $0 copay |
| Basic | 70–80% | Fillings, simple extractions, periodontal scaling | 20–30% coinsurance |
| Major | 50% | Crowns, bridges, dentures, implants* | 50% coinsurance |
| Orthodontics | 50% (if included) | Braces, Invisalign (some plans) | 50% + lifetime max |
| Cosmetic | 0% | Veneers, whitening, contouring | 100% patient resp. |
*Implant coverage varies significantly by plan. Some PPO plans cover implants at 50%; others exclude them entirely. Always verify before treatment.
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🖼️ Close-up: (Upper) decayed or fractured tooth, (Lower) porcelain crown with perfect color match and natural translucency. Caption: “Crown partially covered by insurance; remaining balance financed at 0%.”
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Six Strategies to Maximize Your Nevada Dental Benefits
Most Nevada residents use a fraction of the dental benefits they have already paid for. These six strategies ensure you extract every dollar of value from your plan.
- Use both preventive visits every year. Your plan almost certainly covers two preventive exams and cleanings per year at 100%. These visits are your zero-cost opportunity to catch cavities, gum disease, and early-stage damage before they become expensive. In Las Vegas, where dry-climate damage progresses faster, skipping a preventive visit is like ignoring a check engine light in the desert.
- Schedule major work strategically across calendar years. If you need a treatment that exceeds your annual maximum, ask our team about splitting it across two benefit years. For example, if you need two crowns and your annual max is $1,500, schedule one crown in November and the second in January to use benefits from two consecutive plan years.
- Complete approved treatment before December 31. Benefits do not roll over. If your plan has approved a procedure and you have remaining annual maximum, complete the work before the calendar year resets. Every unused dollar is a dollar you paid for and did not receive.
- Understand your plan’s waiting periods. Many individual and marketplace dental plans impose 6- to 12-month waiting periods for major procedures. If you are enrolling in a new plan, confirm when coverage for crowns, implants, and other major work activates—and plan accordingly.
- Get a pre-treatment estimate. Before any major procedure, ask your dentist’s office to submit a pre-authorization or pre-treatment estimate to your carrier. This gives you a written confirmation of what the plan will pay. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, our administrative team handles this process for you automatically.
- Combine insurance with financing for the gap. Insurance covers its portion; CareCredit or HFD finances the rest at 0% interest for 12 months. This is how patients afford smile makeovers, dental implants, All-on-4, and full mouth reconstruction without writing a five-figure check. Visit our financing page for details.
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🖼️ Wide smile: (Upper) worn, stained teeth, (Lower) complete smile makeover with veneers and crowns. Caption: “Insurance covered cleanings and crowns; veneers financed through CareCredit at 0%.” Smile makeover insurance and CareCredit financing before and after Summerlin Dental Solutions Las Vegas cosmetic dentist |
What Insurance Usually Does Not Cover and How to Fill the Gap
Understanding what your plan excludes is just as important as understanding what it covers.
Cosmetic dentistry is excluded by virtually every plan. This includes veneers, teeth contouring, anti-aging dentistry, and teeth whitening. Invisalign (currently $500 off new cases at Summerlin Dental Solutions) is covered by some orthodontic-inclusive plans but excluded by most standard dental plans.
Implants have inconsistent coverage. Some PPO plans cover dental implants at 50%; others exclude them entirely, classifying them as elective. If your plan excludes implants, CareCredit’s 0% promotional period and HFD’s extended plans make implants financially accessible—and far more cost-effective over a lifetime than the bridges or dentures that insurance does cover.
Amounts above your annual maximum are your responsibility. When a full mouth reconstruction costs $30,000+ and your annual max is $2,000, insurance contributes less than 7% of the total. Financing bridges that gap.
Why the Right Provider Matters More Than the Right Plan
The best dental insurance plan in the world cannot compensate for a provider who lacks the technology and skill to deliver excellent care. And conversely, the right provider can make even limited insurance coverage go further.
At Summerlin Dental Solutions, Dr. Cohan uses 3D CBCT imaging and AI-assisted radiology to catch problems at the earliest possible stage, when they are covered by insurance as basic procedures rather than major ones. A cavity detected early is a $200 filling covered at 80%. That same cavity detected six months later is a $1,500 crown covered at 50%. Better diagnostics literally change what you pay. Explore our advanced technology.
When restorations are necessary, every crown, veneer, and bridge from Dr. Cohan is hand-crafted by master ceramists under high-powered magnification, the TRIOS® digital scanner ensures a precise fit with no messy impressions, and smile design software lets you preview results. Patients consistently tell us these are the most realistic-looking restorations they have ever seen.
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🖼️ This image shows a close-up of the affected tooth before treatment and the same tooth after receiving a composite filling, which provides an invisible repair. “Caught early. Covered by insurance at 80%.” AI-detected early tooth decay treated with filling covered by dental insurance Summerlin Dental Solutions Las Vegas |
| Insurance-Friendly Care at Summerlin Dental Solutions LV — Your Summerlin Dental Office
Located in the heart of Summerlin near Tivoli Village and Boca Park, we’ve been serving Summerlin, Henderson, Summerlin North, Spring Valley, The Ridges, Centennial Hills, The Lakes, Downtown Summerlin, and greater Las Vegas Valley families for over 30 years. Dr. Marianne Cohan, DDS, 30+ years experience. AAFE and AACD member. Voted Best Dentist and Best Cosmetic Dentist by the Las Vegas Review-Journal more times than any other Nevada practice. Spa-like environment, warm lighting, friendly staff, 55-inch screens, and sedation dentistry for anxious patients. We accept most major dental insurance. CareCredit 0% interest for 12 months and HFD also available for all services. Visit our insurance page or financing page for details. 851 S Rampart Blvd, Suite 230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160 |
Make Your Insurance Work Harder
Call (702) 341-9160 to verify your benefits, discuss treatment options, and learn how to combine insurance with financing for the best possible outcome. You can also book a free virtual consultation with Dr. Cohan or schedule online anytime. Meet Dr. Cohan and discover why Nevada families trust her practice.
Summerlin Dental Solutions. Insurance-friendly. Financing available. Restorations that are beyond compare.
The location is conveniently situated near Tivoli Village, Boca Park, and Downtown Summerlin.
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IMAGE: Before & After — Full Restoration Combining Insurance + Financing Wide-angle: (Left) multiple damaged/decayed teeth, (Right) complete restoration. Caption: “Insurance covered preventive visits and two crowns. CareCredit financed the remaining veneers at 0%. Full dental restoration insurance and financing combined before and after Summerlin Dental Solutions best dentist Las Vegas Nevada |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM LAS VEGAS PATIENTS
| Q1: Does Summerlin Dental Solutions accept my dental insurance?
We accept most major dental insurance plans, including PPO, HMO, DHMO, and Medicare/Nevada Checkup plans for eligible patients. Our administrative team verifies your specific benefits before treatment begins, handles all claims filing on your behalf, and ensures you know your exact out-of-pocket cost upfront. Call (702) 341-9160 to confirm your plan. |
| Q2: What dental insurance plans do most Las Vegas employers offer?
The largest Las Vegas employers, including MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, Station Casinos, Clark County, CCSD, and the major healthcare systems, typically offer Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Aetna, Guardian, or United Concordia plans. Most are PPO-style plans with annual maximums ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. We work with all of these carriers and can verify your specific benefits before your visit. |
| Q3: What does dental insurance typically cover in Nevada?
Most Nevada dental insurance plans follow a 100-80-50 structure: 100% coverage for preventive care (exams, cleanings, X-rays), 80% for basic procedures (fillings, simple extractions), and 50% for major procedures (crowns, bridges, implants). Cosmetic procedures like veneers, teeth whitening, and Invisalign are usually not covered. Annual maximums typically range from $1,000 to $2,500, and most plans have a calendar-year deductible of $50 to $150 per person. |
| Q4: Is dental insurance worth it if I have healthy teeth?
Yes, particularly in Las Vegas. The desert climate accelerates enamel erosion, cavities, and gum disease, even in patients with excellent hygiene. Insurance covers your twice-yearly preventive visits at 100%, which means early detection of dry-climate-related damage at no out-of-pocket cost. A single cavity caught at a $0 cleaning is far less expensive than a crown discovered six months later. For Las Vegas residents, preventive coverage alone justifies the premium. |
| Q5: What if my dental insurance does not cover a procedure I need?
This is common, especially for cosmetic work, implants, and orthodontics. Summerlin Dental Solutions offers CareCredit financing with 0% interest for 12 months and HFD for extended payment plans. You can combine insurance benefits with financing, insurance covers its portion, and financing handles the rest. Our team creates a transparent cost breakdown showing exactly what insurance pays and what your financing covers. |
| Q6: Does Nevada Medicaid cover dental care for adults?
Nevada Medicaid provides limited dental coverage for adults, typically covering emergency extractions, exams, and basic preventive care. Coverage for crowns, root canals, dentures, and other restorative work varies and may require prior authorization. Children enrolled in Nevada Checkup receive more comprehensive dental benefits. Our team can help determine what your specific Medicaid plan covers and identify financing options for anything it does not. |
| Q7: How do I maximize my dental insurance benefits before they expire?
Most dental insurance plans reset on January 1, and unused benefits do not roll over. To maximize your coverage: schedule both preventive visits each year (these are typically covered at 100%), complete any approved treatment before December 31, and if you need major work that exceeds your annual maximum, ask our team about splitting treatment across two calendar years so you can use two years of benefits. Call (702) 341-9160 in October or November to plan your year-end strategy. |
| Q8: Can I use dental insurance and CareCredit together?
Yes. This is one of the most effective strategies for affording comprehensive dental care. Your insurance covers its approved portion, often 50% to 80% of the procedure cost and CareCredit finances the remaining balance at 0% interest for 12 months. For example, if a crown costs $1,500 and insurance covers $750, you finance the remaining $750 at approximately $63 per month with no interest. |
| Q9: What is the difference between a PPO and HMO dental plan in Nevada?
A PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan gives you the freedom to see any dentist, though you pay less when you visit an in-network provider. An HMO (or DHMO) plan requires you to choose a primary dentist from a specific network, and referrals are needed for specialists. PPO plans generally offer higher annual maximums and more flexibility. Most of our patients carry PPO plans because they allow them to choose Dr. Cohan without a referral. |
| Q10: I just moved to Nevada and do not have dental insurance yet. What should I do?
Schedule a baseline evaluation as soon as possible, do not wait until you have coverage. Las Vegas’ dry climate begins affecting your teeth immediately, and early detection prevents costly problems. CareCredit and HFD financing are available regardless of insurance status. We also offer free virtual consultations to help you understand your needs and budget before committing. If you are enrolling in a plan through the Nevada Health Link exchange or a new employer, our team can help you understand what your plan will cover once it activates. |
