Thus, many with insurance still get hammered when something major happens concerning their dental health.

But, she says, there are plenty of ways to contain dental care costs if one is determined to do so and has a bit of extra time to indulge in the savings game. She recommends the following 10 ways to better manage dental care whether one has insurance or not.

1. Just pay for dental care out of pocket. If your current dental premium and copay arrangement exceeds $1,500, you may break even or save money by going the self-pay route.

2. Knuckle down on preventative care. Flossing, brushing, caring for your gums will, just like your dentist tells you, lead to healthier and less costly teeth.

3. Get an annual cleaning rather than multiple cleanings a year. The result is just about as effective and the savings can add up.

4. Look for discount dental plans that have really low premiums. For those with generally healthy teeth, these discounted plans pay off. You get some peace of mind (and mouth) without forking out more than you need for coverage you won't use.

5. Request a 10 percent discount of your dental provider at the time of care. If you pay with cash, you'll likely get one.

6. Use the services of one of the many charitable clinics that are popping up. They're supposed to be for those with lower income, but many dentists won't ask for in-depth financial information.

7. Get care at a dental school. Dental schools don't care at all about your financial situation — they just need willing customers. The care may be uneven, but you will save plenty in exchange for helping young dentists get started.

8. Visit a "federally qualified" health center. Lewis describes these as "private health centers offering dental services [that] receive some government funding and charge according to what you can afford." She recommends visiting this site to see the list.

9. Try dental tourism. Like medical tourists, dental tourists often find exceptional professionals outside the U.S. that charge far less for major procedures and deliver quality care. Do your research first, she says.

10. "Get out of town" is her final suggestion. Find a dentist in a rural area. "Dentist fees in rural counties typically are lower than in urban areas. Comparison-shop for the procedure you need by phoning offices of ADA member dentists outside your metro area and asking about fees," she says.