[NJGOAT]

Most dental insurances don't cover everything. Also, they may seem limited, but they really aren't. I have Met through work and the way it works is this:

Say you need a root canal, that is considered a tier 2 operation under my plan. They will cover 50% of the cost. HOWEVER, they will only cover what they feel the operation is worth. Say the root canal is going to be $1,000 retail. Your insurance may believe that the proceedure should only cost $600 and they will cover 50% of it. So, you go in network and your cost will be $300 (50% of the negotiated cost), if you go out of network, it will cost you $700 (your insurance will only pay 50% of what they think it should cost).

Every dental plan I've ever had works this way. There are always out of pocket costs with dental. The key is to go to an in network dentist and minimize your costs. Most dentists will also do payment plans if you can't pay it all up front. Also, your insurance through work should be significantly better/cheaper than what you can buy on your own. Another thing to think about is that most privately purchased insurance has a minimum term that you need to agree to and most will not cover pre-existing conditions. So, you may end up having to carry extra insurance for a year or more, just to get a small break now.