How much does a dental x-ray cost?

Key takeaways

Dental x-rays are a key diagnostic tool for your dentist.
The cost will vary based on the kind of x-ray.
Insurance can help cover some of that cost.

What are dental x-rays?

Dental x-rays are a painless, non-invasive way for your dentist to take pictures of the inside of your teeth and gums.

These x-rays allow them to “see” things that wouldn’t be visible during an oral exam, allowing them to diagnose disease or other issues that might not be visible to the human eye.

How much do dental x-rays cost in Canada?

This will vary, and can depend on the type of x-ray.

Many dentists base their prices on fee guides issued by each Canadian province or territory’s dental association. These are also the numbers insurance companies use when they’re calculating how much of a procedure’s cost is eligible for coverage. This means if your dentist charges more than the provincial fee guide price, you may have to pay more out of pocket.

To get a rough idea of what you might expect to pay for dental x-rays, here are the suggested fees for a few Canadian provinces.

Batwing dental x-ray, the one where you bite down on a cardboard tab:

Albert a | PDF 1MBOpens a new website in a new window: $54.60 (for 2)
British Columbia | PDF 344kbOpens a new website in a new window: $30.50 (for 2)
Nova ScotiaOpens a new website in a new window: $29 (for 2)

Panoramic dental x-ray, which is a more comprehensive picture of the mouth:

Does insurance cover dental x-rays?

If you have health and dental coverage through your workplace, a personal insurance plan or a government plan like the Canadian Dental Care Plan, you may have some coverage for dental x-rays as part of “routine dental” coverage.

Depending on your plan, you may be reimbursed for some or all of the cost of dental x-rays.

For example, let’s say you have a Select plus plan from our Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance. That means you get 70% coverage per calendar year for routine dental, up to $750.

So, if you haven’t used any of your coverage yet and your dentist does a batwing x-ray costing $30, your insurance will cover $21, and you’ll pay the remaining $9 out-of-pocket.

Bear in mind that some plans may also have a limit on the amount and frequency of x-rays they will cover.

What's next?

If you do have an insurance plan, check to see if it has coverage for dental x-rays.
If you don’t have a plan, consider a plan like Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance, which has several options for dental coverage that can include x-rays.

The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the date of publication, but rules and interpretations may change. This information is general in nature, and is intended for informational purposes only. For specific situations you should consult the appropriate legal, accounting or tax advisor.