I bit into a tostada in Mexico City and felt a crack. Incredible pain. The dentist said I needed a root canal and a crown. Total cost: $800. I checked my insurance app: “Emergency Dental Pain Relief: Max $250.” I had to pay the rest out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- “Pain Relief” Only: Travel insurance only pays to stop the pain (extraction or filling). It does not pay for “Restorative” work (crowns, bridges, root canals).
- Injury to Sound Natural Teeth: If you get punched in the face and lose a tooth, insurance pays. If you bite something and break a tooth, that’s often considered a “eating mishap” or maintenance issue.
- Dental Tourism: In 2026, paying cash in Mexico/Thailand/Turkey is often cheaper than the deductible on a US or International dental plan.
- Waiting Periods: Real dental insurance has 6-12 month waiting periods for major work.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Accident vs. Decay.”
Insurance covers accidents. A tooth breaking on food is often argued as “pre-existing decay” by the adjuster. “The tooth broke because it was weak, not because the tostada was a rock.”
- The Limit: Most policies cap dental at $250 or $500 total. That gets you an X-ray and some ibuprofen.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: Covers up to $1,000 for “Emergency Dental” BUT only for “injury to sound natural teeth.” Biting food doesn’t always count.
- Cigna Global (Dental Add-on): I quoted this. It doubled my premium. And it had a 9-month waiting period for major restorative work.
- Medical Tourism: I called a clinic in CDMX. Root canal: $250. Crown: $400. Total $650. In the US, this is $3,000.
- My Analysis: Don’t insure dental. Just save cash and go to cheap countries.
Comparison Table: Dental Options
| Feature | Travel Insurance | International Dental Plan | Cash (Mexico/Thailand) |
| Emergency Pain | YES (Low limit) | YES | YES |
| Root Canal/Crown | NO | YES (After wait) | YES |
| Checkups | NO | YES | YES (Cheap) |
| Cost Efficiency | Low | Low | High |
[IMAGE: Split photo: US Dental Bill (
3,200)vsMexicoDentalBill(3,200)vsMexicoDentalBill(
650) for the same procedure]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Self-Insure: Put $1,000 in a savings account. That is your dental insurance.
- Go to Thailand/Mexico: If you need major work, fly there. The flight + hotel + dentist is cheaper than US work.
- Read the “Injury” Clause: If you break a tooth in an accident (scooter crash), emphasize the impact to the face in your claim, not the biting.
- Routine Cleanings: Pay cash. A cleaning in Vietnam is $20. In Lisbon, $50. Don’t buy insurance for this.
FAQ
Does insurance cover if I lose a filling?
No. That is maintenance.
What if I get an infection?
The antibiotics and the doctor visit are covered under “Medical Illness.” The actual tooth repair is not.
Is GeoBlue dental good?
It’s okay, but usually has low annual maximums ($1,000). You burn through that in one visit.