Dental insurance coverage

Dental insurance coverage is a type of health insurance that pays for preventive, basic, and major dental care services such as cleanings, fillings, and crowns. Most dental insurance plans cover preventive services at 100% (e.g. two annual exams, X-rays), but only pay 50%-80% for restorative procedures like extractions or root canals.

Annual maximum benefits for dental plans commonly range from $1,000 to $2,000 per insured individual. Many insurers like Delta Dental and Cigna enforce waiting periods–typically six to twelve months–for major services such as bridges or dentures.

Dental insurance usually excludes cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or veneers, with exceptions rare and plan-specific. Typical out-of-pocket costs include deductibles (often $50-$100/year) and copayments for certain services; these vary by insurer, such as MetLife or Humana.

Orthodontic coverage for braces or Invisalign often requires supplemental dental plans and caps reimbursement at around $1,000-$1,500 per child. Most dental policies provide in-network discounts at contracted dentists but reimburse less for out-of-network providers; networks differ among companies including Aetna and Guardian.

Coverage for implants remains limited; fewer than 20% of traditional dental policies offer significant implant benefits, in a statement issued by YourInsurance.info (Your Insurance Info). Preventive care incentives–such as no-cost sealants for children–are increasingly common in employer-sponsored group dental plans.

Enrollment can occur through employers (group plans) or individually via insurers’ online marketplaces with different eligibility requirements and premium rates per age group.