MetLife has revealed that one dental bill can wipe out a year of savings, according to new data from the insurer. The data shows that routine oral health costs can escalate into four-figure expenses, often exceeding what households have set aside for emergencies. The insurer's in-network cost breakdown reveals a financial gap between routine preventive care and major dental work, with a standard exam costing $112 and an X-ray costing $152 typically fully covered. A filling costs $196, with insurance picking up $179.60 and the patient covering $16.40. A root canal costs $1,345, leaving the patient with $132.40 out of pocket, even with insurance. The findings suggest a mismatch between the cost of dental care and what people are prepared to pay. Dental care for a single adult aged 20 to 79 can total roughly $51,000 over a lifetime, and that figure climbs to $95,000 or more for couples and families.