By KBC Associate 
Along with brushing and flossing, good dental insurance goes a long way towards keeping your teeth healthy. Since 2016, Money’s editorial team has spent thousands of hours researching and vetting the best dental insurance providers and coverage. We’ve evaluated the most comprehensive policies from top insurers, including Delta Dental, Guardian Direct and Spirit Dental.
What to know about dental insurance
- The best dental insurance plans offer
ahigh reimbursement limits, comprehensive coverage and no waiting periods for basic care.
- Depending on the type coverage and your oral health needs, an individual policy can be expensive. Be sure to consider not only the monthly premium cost but the amount of your deductible, copays and coinsurance, as well as maximum benefit thresholds.
- However, dental insurance can lower the cost of expensive restorative or emergency work such as crowns, fillings and implants.
How we chose our top picks
The marketplace of dental insurance plans is large and complex. Offerings vary by state, and plans available in the individual market differ from those available in a state marketplace or those offered as part of employer-sponsored health benefits.
From each company evaluated, we selected the plan that seemed most comparable to the others. These plans are generally insurers’ top-tier plans. While they do tend to have higher premiums, they also offer the most complete coverage; the plans for our top picks all cover 100% of preventative care with no waiting period. The plans here are individual PPO plans, which typically give you the flexibility of seeking care within or outside the insurer’s provider network.
We looked at plans offered by nearly 20 different insurance providers. Factors we took into consideration included costs, waiting periods, coverage levels and other criteria. Read our full methodology to learn more.
Our top picks for dental insurance plans
- 30% major care coverage from day 1, rising to 60% in year 4
- $6,000 annual maximum beginning in year 4
- Orthodontics coverage available for adults
- Deductible is lifetime, rather than annual
- Premiums higher than many competitors
- Not available in all states
HIGHLIGHTS
- Name of plan
- Summit Plan
- Monthly premium
- $63.92
- Annual deductible
- $100 lifetime in-network deductible; $200 lifetime out-of-network deductible
- Annual maximum
- $1,200 year 1; $2,000 year 2; $3,500 year 3, then $6,000
Why we chose it: We chose Denali Dental‘s Summit PPO plan as our best overall, despite the company charging higher premiums than our other top picks. Premiums are just one part of overall dental costs, however, and we found that Denali’s benefits justify its cost, especially over time.
Like the rest of our top picks, this plan covers 100% of preventative care with no waiting period. It covers basic care at 50% with no waiting period; coverage rises in tiers each year you have the plan, with a generous 90% coverage level after three years. The Summit plan covers 30% of major work with no waiting period. Major-work coverage tiers top out at 60% after three years.
This plan’s annual maximum is also tiered. It starts at $1,200 in the first year — an amount that already is higher than some of the plans we reviewed. That maximum rises over time to a very high $6,000 after three years, making the Summit plan a good choice for people who expect to need major dental work, or who just want the peace of mind that their dental care needs will be covered.
- Orthodontics coverage for adults available
- Teeth whitening covered after a 6-month waiting period
- Discounts on hearing, vision coverage through partners
- Orthodontics coverage has a 12-month waiting period
- Not available in all states
HIGHLIGHTS
- Name of plan
- DPO Premium
- Monthly premium
- $46.48
- Annual deductible
- $50, excluding preventative care; separate $50 orthodontics deductible
- Annual maximum
- $2,000; lifetime orthodontics maximum: $1,500
Why we chose it: Delta Dental’s DPO Premium plan is one of a relative few that covers orthodontics care for adults. While even the best dental insurance for braces requires a significant out-of-pocket cost, this plan has some of the best coverage available. After a 12-month waiting period, this plan covers 50% of orthodontics up to a lifetime maximum of $1,500 per person. (There is a separate $50 annual deductible for braces.)
This full-coverage dental insurance doesn’t skimp in other areas of coverage, either: In addition to covering 100% of preventative care with no waiting period, this plan covers basic care at 80%, and major care at 50%. The caveat is that there are waiting periods of six and 12 months, respectively, for coverage to kick in. The annual maximum is $2,000.
This policy is a good pick if you want coverage for both braces and for teeth whitening. After a six-month waiting period, it covers 80% of teeth whitening services.
- $5,000 annual maximum beginning in year 3
- 25% major care coverage from day 1, rising to 60% in year 3
- 3 cleanings per year covered
- Deductible applies to preventative care
- Orthodontics coverage for kids only
HIGHLIGHTS
- Name of plan
- Pinnacle PPO
- Monthly premium
- $42.37
- Annual deductible
- $100 lifetime
- Annual maximum
- $1,200 year 1; $2,500 year 2, then $5,000
Why we chose it: Spirit Dental is our Best for Value pick. Starting in your third year, its Pinnacle PPO plan has a very high annual maximum of $5,000. Although this is tiered, even its year-one maximum of $1,200 is on par with what some of its competitors offer; the year two maximum is $2,500.
In addition to covering preventative care at 100% with no waiting period, its annual benefits include three cleanings; most others only cover two cleanings per year. While the plan’s deductible is $100 (most of the plans we reviewed have $50 deductibles), it is a lifetime rather than an annual deductible, offering good value if you plan to stick with this plan for the long term. It also covers braces for kids up to a $1,200 lifetime maximum, and optional vision coverage is available at an additional cost.
- 80% basic care coverage from day 1, rising to 90% in year 2
- 20% major care coverage from day 1, rising to 50% in year 2
- Benefits include hearing coverage, up to $400 towards hearing aids
- Ranked last in most recent J.D. Power Dental Plan Satisfaction Study
- Smaller provider network than some competitors
HIGHLIGHTS
- Name of plan
- PrimeStar Complete
- Monthly premium
- $49.56
- Annual deductible
- $50
- Annual maximum
- $2,500 year one, then $3,000
Why we chose it: Ameritas is our top pick for plans with no waiting periods. Like our other picks here, its PrimeStar Complete PPO plan covers 100% of preventative care without a wait. Basic care is covered at 80% right from day one, which is relatively generous; better plans cover 80%, but most require at least a six-month waiting period. That coverage level rises to 90% after one year.
Major dental work is covered at 20% without a waiting period; while this is on the low side, most of the plans we evaluated have 12-month waiting periods before they cover major work. After one year, major work is covered at 50%.
The PrimeStar Complete’s year-one $2,500 annual maximum is relatively generous to begin with; after the first year, that rises to $3,000. Additionally, preventative care does not count towards the annual maximum, a benefit that gives you more bang for your buck if you need significant work done.
- Teeth whitening covered at 50%, up to $500 annually
- $3,000 annual maximum from day 1
- 80% basic care coverage from day 1
- Higher premiums than some competitors
- Below-average ranking in most recent J.D. Power Dental Plan Satisfaction Study
HIGHLIGHTS
- Name of plan
- Premier
- Monthly premium
- $53.37
- Annual deductible
- $50, separate $50 teeth whitening deductible
- Annual maximum
- $3,000; annual teeth whitening maximum: $500
Why we chose it: Guardian Direct is our top pick if you’re looking for a dental insurance plan that includes teeth-whitening benefits. Although this is a cosmetic rather than a medically necessary procedure, some dental insurance companies are beginning to cover it.
Guardian Direct‘s Premier PPO plan also offers solid coverage for more essential dental-care needs. Along with covering 100% of preventative care with no waiting period, it covers basic care at 80% with no waiting period, which is higher than what most plans allow — even those with no waiting period often tier their coverage levels so a lower percentage is covered until you’ve had the policy for a period of time. There is a 12-month waiting period before the Premier plan covers major work, but after that, it covers 60%, which is among the highest among the plans we reviewed.
Other dental insurance companies we considered
The following providers didn’t meet the requirements for any of our “Best for” categories. That said, they’re still worthy of consideration if none of our best picks meet your needs or aren’t available where you live.
Cigna’s Dental 3000/100 plan (and comparable ones where that one is unavailable) has lower premiums than some of its competitors. However, the benefits are on the more meager side, with only 50% of basic services covered after a 6-month waiting period and a higher-than-usual $100 deductible.
DentaQuest’s Personal Dental Plan Plus had comparable coverage — and lower premiums — than many of our top picks, but the company’s individual dental PPO plans aren’t available in most states.
Physicians Mutual’s Premier plan had higher premiums than most of our top picks, and you have to have enroll in bank autopay to get the best rate. That said, we did like this plan for its coverage of basic services at 70% with no waiting period, no annual maximums and no in-network deductibles.
What you need to know about dental insurance
The cost of dental care varies widely. Routine cleanings and X-rays generally run from $40 to $97. But more complex procedures like root canals and implants can run into the thousands of dollars. Dental insurance is particularly useful in lowering the cost of these expensive fixes.
In this section we’ll explain how dental insurance works, the most common types of plans available, how much it costs and where to purchase it. By the end, you should have all the information in order to make an informed decision on dental insurance.
How does dental insurance work?
A dental insurance policy covers expenses for checkups, routine cleanings and other dental restorative work such as fillings, implants and crowns. Many providers such as Humana, Cigna and UnitedHealthOne also offer dental, hearing and vision bundles.
Providers are regulated at the state level, meaning plan availability, benefits and rates may vary per state.
Dental insurance waiting periods
Once you have an active policy, insurers may enforce a waiting period on certain services. Although this ultimately depends on the plan type and company, standard waiting periods look a bit like this:
- Preventive services: 0 months
- Basic procedures: 3 to 6 months
- Major services: 12 to 24 months
Dental plans without waiting periods on basic and major services exist, but they’re expensive. Coverage also starts small and increases yearly. For example, implants are immediately covered, but the company will only pay 15% of the total cost, which is very little considering that a single implant can cost over $1,600. The company will pay 50% of the same procedure if a patient waits six months or more.
Although it’s technically major work, orthopedic treatment is considered a separate category for insurers. It’s easier to find coverage for child orthodontia than for adults, but coverage is capped at 50% regardless of the patient’s age.
Companies also enforce a lifetime benefit limit, meaning they will only pay for braces or aligners once for the duration of the policy, up to $1,000 to $1,500.
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, take a look at our article on how much Invisalign costs and the choices available.
What isn’t covered by dental insurance?
Pre-existing conditions
Pre-existing conditions clauses are commonplace in dental insurance plans. Missing teeth, for example, are typically excluded from coverage. This means that if you had a tooth extraction prior to enrollment, your plan won’t pay for implants or bridges to replace missing teeth. Some providers might lift the clause after a certain amount of time and offer coverage for the pre-existing issue, but this depends on the policy’s terms.
Cosmetic dentistry
Dental insurance carriers usually won’t cover cosmetic procedures. Examples of cosmetic dentistry include teeth whitening, dental veneers and orthodontic treatment that isn’t deemed medically necessary.
You’ll also find limited coverage when it comes to tooth fillings. Amalgam, or silver fillings are covered while ceramic and composite fillings might not be, despite being the better option in terms of looks and longevity.
Types of dental insurance plans
The three types of dental plans on the market today are dental preferred provider organization (DPPO or PPO) plans, dental health maintenance organization (DHMO or HMO) plans and fee-for-service plans:
Dental preferred provider organization (DPPO)
DPPO plans have a wider network of dentists, and patients have more flexibility when choosing their doctors. You can see providers both in-network and out of network, but you’ll find the best rates within the dental provider network.
This flexibility comes with a higher price tag — premiums for DPPO plans are more expensive and have higher out-of-pocket costs.
Dental health maintenance organization (DHMO)
A DHMO plan works within a dental provider network. There’s a fixed copayment for each visit, premiums are more affordable and there are no annual maximum limits.
Members of a DHMO plan have a smaller provider network to choose from, and they’ll also need to select a primary care dentist from the plan’s network. Lastly, there’s no coverage for out-of-network providers, and seeing a specialist requires a referral.
Fee-for-service plans
Fee-for-service plans pay a flat rate for eligible services. This plan type allows greater flexibility because patients can visit the provider of their choice.
On the downside, out-of-pocket expenses are higher. Patients can either make a copayment at the dentist’s office or pay upfront and then file a claim for reimbursement with their insurance provider.
Dental discount plans
A dental discount plan is not dental insurance. It’s a membership program that charges a monthly or annual fee in exchange for discounts on eligible dental services of participating providers. These plans are offered by providers such as 1Dental as well as many dental insurance companies.
There are no waiting periods on any services, and most procedures benefit from a discounted rate — even orthodontics. With dental discount plans, uninsured individuals can still access dental care at a reduced cost. However, discount rates vary from 10% to 60% and the network of participating dentists may be smaller.
Besides dental discount plans or preventive coverage, you can invest in additional products to brush up on your dental hygiene. Devices like electric toothbrushes and water flossers help keep cavities and gum disease at bay.
How much is dental insurance?
Dental plan premiums range from $17 to $96. Cost varies per plan type, coverage level and state of residence.
The plans with the lowest premiums cover preventive dental care and offer minimal or no coverage for basic and major services. On the other hand, the plans with the highest premiums tend to have shorter or no waiting periods, high annual limits and comprehensive coverage for preventive, basic and major work.
If purchasing a dental insurance plan doesn’t make sense for your financial situation, consider low-cost alternatives to dental health insurance such as dental school clinics and state assistance programs.
Cost of common dental procedures
The cost of dental care depends significantly on the provider, the location and whether the patient’s insured.
To give readers a general idea, we looked at the average cost of common dental procedures in the Survey of Dental Fees published by the American Dental Association (ADA). Then, we calculated how much that procedure would cost with an insurance policy that covers 100% of preventive care, 80% of basic dental work and 50% of complex procedures.
Here’s what we found:
|
Cost without dental insurance |
Cost with dental insurance |
|
|---|---|---|
| X-rays | $40 – $143 | $0 |
| Cleanings | $73 – $97 | $0 |
|
Dental filling |
$171 – $471 | $34 – $94 |
|
Root canal |
$369 – $1,325 | $184 – $662 |
| Dental crown | $528 – 1,386 | $264 – $693 |
Additional costs to consider
Policyholders pay monthly premiums for their coverage, but that’s not the only expense to keep in mind.
Deductibles
A deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in. Most dental insurance companies set annual deductible rates at $50 per person and $150 per family. Other providers charge a one-time deductible, but plans with this type of deductible tend to have higher premium rates and a higher deductible ($100-$200 for individuals and over $400 for family plans)
Coinsurance
Coinsurance refers to the portion of dental care a policyholder must pay out-of-pocket after they meet the deductible and the insurance coverage kicks in.
Imagine you need a root canal that costs $1,000 and your dental insurance covers 80% of the procedure but charges a $50 annual deductible. If you already met this deductible on a previous visit, the coinsurance for the root canal would be $200 (20% of the total cost). However, if you haven’t yet met the $50 deductible, the procedure would set you back $250.
Copayment
A copay (or copayment) is a fixed fee that policyholders pay each time they seek specific services or products like prescriptions and office visits (no matter if they’ve met the policy deductible or not). Copay rates should be listed on your insurance card or policy document.
Annual maximum limits
A policy’s annual maximum limit establishes the highest dollar amount a provider will pay for dental care in a calendar year. Most policies set limits between $1,000-$1,500, depending on the plan type and service. Certain services like orthodontia have a separate payout cap.
Once you exceed the benefit maximum, all other dental expenses payments come out of your pocket. For family plans, the annual maximum limit applies to each individual separately.
Is dental insurance worth it?
Individual dental plans — those purchased by people instead of employer group plans — aren’t always worth it. You might end up paying more in premiums, deductibles and copays if the plan’s level of coverage doesn’t match your dental care needs.
Most plans offer 100% coverage for preventive care with no deductible, copays or annual limits and such benefits may be worth the cost of dental insurance. However, your savings are significantly reduced when it comes to basic and major work coverage.
Most providers only cover 50% to 80% of these procedures and set annual maximum limits that rarely exceed the $1,000-$2,000 range. A patient that needs major work may reach this limit fairly quickly and pay a significant amount on top of the monthly premiums. That said, enrolling in a dental plan grants you access to negotiated fees and rates at the dentist’s office that could save you money.
How to get dental insurance
Most people have access to dental insurance through their employer. However, those who are uninsured or underinsured – like Medicare beneficiaries – need to purchase a standalone policy if they want dental coverage.
Our guide on how to get dental insurance with Medicare can help you with this process.
You can also purchase a standalone dental plan directly with the insurance company or through a marketplace. Dental plans sold on Healthcare.gov have to meet the criteria set by the Affordable Care Act, which include offering coverage for pediatric dentistry, emergency services and prescription drugs.
Getting dental insurance is easy if you follow these guidelines to pick the best dental plan provider:
Identify your dental needs
A young adult with healthy teeth has very different dental care needs than a child with malocclusion or an older adult with tooth decay or gum disease. We recommend writing down the dental care needs of you and your family to make it easier to find providers that cover these procedures.
A general rule of thumb is to look for plans that cover 100/80/50: 100% preventive coverage, 80% basic work and 50% major work. However, it’s important to see what’s included in each percentage. A policy covering 50% of major work but excluding implants may be useless if your main concern is missing teeth.
Review the different types of dental plans
We go over common dental plans in our types of dental plans section. Revise each one to see which fits best in terms of coverage options and cost.
Check out which plans are available in your state
Providers don’t offer the same dental plans for every state. For example, Delta Dental offers five dental plans nationwide, but our sample quotes for California, New York and Miami returned only three options.
Check the provider network
Verify that your preferred dentist or specialist is part of the insurer’s provider network before enrolling.
If you have a preferred dentist or specialist, verify that they are part of the insurer’s provider network before enrolling. Even if you don’t have a dentist of choice, we recommend you look at the insurer’s dentist directory online to check how accessible the provider network is. You can search by name, specialty or location to see how many in-network dentists and specialists are nearby.
Compare cost vs value
Besides premium rates, deductibles, coinsurance and annual limits all factor into the overall cost of dental care. Sometimes, patients pay too much for dental insurance and get minimal coverage in return, especially on preventive and basic services.
To make sure the plan is worth it, tally up the insurance cost and compare it to the coverage benefits and an estimate of your yearly dental expenses.
Verify providers with regulatory agencies
Check the companies of your choice (and their subsidiaries, if applicable) with state regulatory agencies. You can also look up any licensed insurance provider with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which registers and analyzes consumer complaint data from across the country.
Best Dental Insurance FAQ
What is the best dental insurance?
The best dental insurance for you and your family will depend on your needs and your budget. Consider what kind of dental work you anticipate needing, keeping in mind that many dental plans impose waiting periods before they will cover care, especially major work. If you or someone in your family needs braces, dentures or an implant, read each policy carefully to be sure you understand what kind of coverage your plan offers for these services.
What is the best dental insurance with no waiting period?
In addition to our pick for the best dental plan with no waiting period above, we’ve highlighted some other plans that have short or no waiting periods in this guide.
The best dental insurance policies have no waiting periods for preventative care. It is less common to find dental plans that waive waiting periods for all procedures, even for major and restorative work. Those that do generally have reduced reimbursement levels initially.
What is full-coverage dental insurance?
Comprehensive or full-coverage dental plans generally have the highest premiums, but they offer the most complete insurance. The best full-coverage dental insurance plans cover preventative and diagnostic care at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
They usually cover 80% to 90% of the costs for minor care, such as fillings; they typically cover between 50% and 60% of the costs for major work, such as crowns.
Does dental insurance cover braces?
Coverage of orthodontics is included in some plans, but it by no means universal, especially if you need braces as an adult. Additionally, braces have separate reimbursement terms, and specific restrictions apply.
Insurers generally cover 50% orthodontia up to a lifetime payout limit of $1,000 or $1,500. Furthermore, the insurance payout amounts to a fraction of the true cost of treatment, which generally averages $5,000 to $6,000.
Insurers generally cover 50% orthodontia up to a lifetime payout limit of $1,000 or $1,500. This means dental insurance will only pay for braces once during the patient’s lifetime. Furthermore, the insurance payout amounts to a fraction of the true cost of treatment, which is generally between $3,000 and $6,000.
Does dental insurance cover implants?
Coverage of dental implants varies widely. Some plans include them under the umbrella of major care, but some exclude them or impose additional conditions or limitations. Expect to have a waiting period before a plan will cover implants, and expect to have out-of-pocket costs in any case.
Additionally, the cost of an implant, typically between $3,000 and $7,000, is higher than many plans’ annual coverage maximums.
Methodology
To rank the best dental plans, we evaluated:
- Coverage benefits for preventive, basic and major services – Our top picks offer 100% coverage on all preventive services without any waiting period. We looked for plans that had shorter — or no — waiting period for basic and major coverage, as well as coverage levels that reach at least 80% for basic coverage and 50% for major coverage after the waiting period.
- Annual maximum limits – Most dental plans limit payouts to $1,500 or $2,000 per year. Providers that set annual limits under $1,000 didn’t make the cut, and we prioritized plans that offer limits of $3,000 or more.
- Premium rates – While comprehensive PPO plans tend to have higher premium than more bare-bones offerings or HMO plans that restrict you to seeing an in-network dentist, we evaluated plan premiums in the context of the scope of coverage they offered. While premiums vary based on where you live and sometimes by age and sex, we used the same criteria for comparing each plan, obtaining sample quotes for individual plan premiums based on the profile of a 30-year-old woman living in the Houston metropolitan area. (While New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago are all larger cities than Houston, state-specific regulations in each of those states make it challenging to do an apples-to-apples comparison of plans.)
Latest news
As the price of dental care continues to rise, an overwhelming 92% of respondents in a recent survey said they would consider delaying dental care because of the cost. Roughly 62% of adults under the age of 65 have private dental insurance, according to the American Dental Association. The organization found that those with insurance are more likely than those without to visit a dentist, and by a whopping 32 percentage points.
Traditional Medicare doesn’t cover dental insurance for seniors, so many private Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage. A recent study, though, found that most Medicare Advantage dental coverage is lacking, and that the added cost seniors pay for Medicare Advantage plans with dental coverage doesn’t lead to better outcomes.