Medicare doesn't cover routine dental care, so you'll need to choose between a standalone dental plan, a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental, or paying out of pocket
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for cleanings, fillings, crowns, or dentures. This leaves you with three paths: buy a separate dental insurance plan, switch to a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that bundles dental coverage, or self-pay at a dentist's discounted rate. Which one costs least depends on how much dental work you actually need and which dentists are in the plan's network.
The choice also depends on your other health coverage. If you're happy with your current Medicare Advantage plan, adding dental through that same plan is simpler than juggling two insurers. If you use Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, a standalone dental plan keeps your coverage in one place.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Advantage plans with dental coverage typically cost $0 to $200 per month and cover preventive care fully, but may limit major work like crowns or implants.
- Standalone dental plans for seniors usually have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months before they cover fillings or crowns, so they work best if you don't need urgent care.
- Discount dental plans (not insurance) charge an annual membership fee and give you a percentage off at participating dentists, with no waiting periods.
- Original Medicare users can pair a Medigap policy with either a standalone dental plan or a discount plan, since Medigap doesn't cover dental.
- Your dentist may not be in every plan's network, so confirm in-network providers before you enroll.
Medicare Advantage plans with dental benefits
If you're willing to switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, many include dental coverage as part of the monthly premium. Plans vary widely: some cover preventive care (cleanings, X-rays, exams) at no cost, while others add coverage for fillings, root canals, and crowns up to an annual limit. A few high-premium plans cover implants or major restorative work, but these are less common.
The trade-off is that Medicare Advantage plans use networks. Your dentist must be in the plan's network, or you'll pay more or the plan won't cover the visit at all. Before you enroll, call the plan and ask for a list of in-network dentists in your area, or use the plan's online directory. If your current dentist isn't listed, contact them directly and ask which Medicare Advantage plans they accept.
Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurers and change their benefits and networks every year. Open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, and you can switch plans during that window. If your plan drops your dentist or cuts dental benefits, you can switch to a different plan the next open enrollment period.
Standalone dental insurance plans
If you use Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, or if no Medicare Advantage plan in your area includes dental, you can buy a separate dental insurance plan. These are sold by private insurers and are not part of Medicare. They typically cost $15 to $50 per month and cover preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) with little or no cost-sharing.
The catch is the waiting period. Most standalone plans wait 6 to 12 months before they pay for fillings, and 12 months or longer before they cover crowns, root canals, or other major work. If you need a filling next month, a standalone plan won't help. If you can wait, it may be worth buying now so the waiting period expires before you need the work.
Annual maximums are also lower than Medicare Advantage plans. Many standalone plans cap coverage at $1,000 to $1,500 per year, meaning if you need $3,000 in crown work, you'll pay the difference. Read the plan documents carefully to understand what's covered, what the waiting periods are, and what the annual maximum is.
Discount dental plans as an alternative
A discount dental plan is not insurance. You pay an annual membership fee (usually $80 to $200) and receive a discount card that gives you 10 to 60 percent off at participating dentists. There are no waiting periods, no annual maximums, and no claim forms. You straightforward show the card at the dentist's office and pay the discounted rate.
Discount plans work best if you need care soon and don't want to wait out an insurance waiting period. They also work well if you have a dentist you trust and that dentist is in the plan's network. The downside is that the discount varies by procedure and by dentist, so you can't predict your out-of-pocket cost the way you can with insurance.
Some discount plans are national (like Aarp Dental, Careington, or Dental365), while others are regional. Before you buy, check the plan's website to confirm your dentist is a participating provider. If your dentist isn't listed, call the plan and ask if they can add them, or search for another plan that includes your dentist.
Comparing costs: Medicare Advantage vs. standalone vs. discount
| Option | Monthly Cost | Waiting Periods | Annual Maximum | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage with dental | $0–$200 | None | $1,000–$2,000 | Preventive care and some major work; willing to use network dentist |
| Standalone dental plan | $15–$50 | 6–12 months for major work | $1,000–$1,500 | Preventive care now, major work later; using Original Medicare |
| Discount dental plan | $7–$17/month (annual fee) | None | None | when ready care; dentist is in network; willing to negotiate price |
| Self-pay (no plan) | $0 | None | None | Occasional care; can negotiate directly with dentist |
How to find and enroll in a plan
If you're on Original Medicare, you can buy a standalone dental plan or discount plan any time of year directly from the insurer's website or through a broker. No enrollment period is required. You'll need your Medicare number and basic health information.
If you want to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with dental, you must enroll during Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year), unless you may have access to for a special enrollment period due to a life event like moving or losing other coverage. Visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or work with a licensed Medicare broker to compare plans in your area.
Before you enroll in any plan, confirm that your current dentist is in the network. If your dentist isn't listed online, call the plan directly and ask. Some plans will add a dentist to their network if you request it, though this is not may provide.
What to watch for when comparing plans
Read the plan's summary of benefits, not just the marketing brochure. The summary will tell you exactly what's covered, what you pay out of pocket, what the waiting periods are, and what the annual maximum is. Pay special attention to whether crowns, implants, and root canals are covered—these are the procedures that cost the most and vary the most between plans.
Also check whether the plan covers preventive care at 100 percent (meaning no copay for cleanings and exams). Some plans charge a copay even for preventive visits, which adds up if you go twice a year. And confirm the annual maximum: if you need $2,000 in work and the plan's maximum is $1,000, you'll pay the other $1,000 yourself.
Finally, ask whether the plan covers out-of-network dentists and at what rate. Some plans cover out-of-network care at a lower percentage than in-network care. If your dentist isn't in the network and you want to keep seeing them, this matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Medicare Advantage dental coverage at any dentist?
No. Medicare Advantage plans use networks, and you'll pay more or get no coverage if you see an out-of-network dentist. Before you enroll, confirm your dentist is in the plan's network. If your dentist isn't in any plan you're considering, ask your dentist which Medicare Advantage plans they accept.
Do I have to wait before a dental plan covers my fillings or crowns?
Medicare Advantage plans have no waiting period. Standalone dental plans usually wait 6 to 12 months for fillings and 12 months or longer for crowns. Discount plans have no waiting period. If you need work done soon, a discount plan or Medicare Advantage is faster than a standalone plan.
What if I need a lot of dental work and the plan's annual maximum isn't enough?
You'll pay the difference out of pocket. Some dentists offer payment plans or discounts for cash patients. Before you start treatment, ask your dentist for an estimate and ask whether they offer a discount if you pay in full or set up a payment plan.
Can I have both a Medicare Advantage plan and a standalone dental plan?
Yes, but it's usually wasteful. If your Medicare Advantage plan includes dental, buying a standalone plan on top means paying for two plans. If your Medicare Advantage plan has no dental, a standalone plan makes sense. If you're on Original Medicare, you can buy a standalone plan or discount plan without conflict.
What happens to my dental coverage if I switch Medicare plans?
If you switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan, your old plan's coverage ends and your new plan's coverage begins on January 1. If you switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, your dental coverage ends unless you buy a standalone plan or discount plan. Plan ahead during open enrollment so you don't have a gap.