US government experts predict that dental spending will top $100 billion this year and reach nearly $170 billion by 2017, based on a 10-year projection of National Health Expenditures. But early, proactive, preventative steps can ensure that your budget doesn’t become just another statistic.

Patients can keep their future expenses low by identifying concerns early and treating them while they are still in the earliest stages. A simple filling will remain significantly less expensive than a root canal, and offers the best long term outcome as well.

Dental, as well as other health spending will continue to outpace the rate of economic growth as they have in recent years. An ADA Survey Center review of the Consumer Price Index for Dental Services shows them to continue accelerated growth of prices relative to goods and services as a whole, due in large part to advances in treatment technologies and the costs associated with them.

This is not bad news, however. Better diagnostic tools, better materials and better methods bear inherent costs, but they also improve patient outcomes across the board. While patients may be paying slightly more than they did ten years ago, the services they receive have improved significantly.

Still, per capita dental spending is expected to increase from $254 in 2002 to $519 in 2017, according to the American Dental Association. The best way to make sure your expenditures remain in line is by getting regular checkups, listening to your dentist’s advice, and always addressing any problems as early as possible.