Best Dental Insurance

Renaissance is part of the Renaissance Health Service Corporation, with a PPO network that includes more than 375,000 dental access points nationwide. 

This insurance company offers you the ultimate in flexibility, featuring plans with full and partial coverage on various services and the ability to see any dentist you choose in or out of network. 

There’s no waiting period for preventative care, meaning you can visit the dentist as soon as you like after signing up. The carrier covers services from routine exams and cleanings to more complicated procedures like implants and endo. The company is also known for its exceptional customer service.

Coverage may be limited based on age, and exclusions include cosmetic services. While there is no waiting period for preventative care, other services like periodontal maintenance and oral surgery have waiting periods of six and 12 months. Orthodontic services are not covered.  

The policy maximum for all three options is about $1,000 a year per member, with deductibles at $50 per member and $150 per family on all policies except the Essentials plan, which has no deductible.

Cigna is a global health services company committed to delivering affordable and predictable health insurance. The company’s dental insurance features a network of more than 92,000 dentists in over 309,000 locations across the country, making it easy to find an in-network provider so you can get the most value out of the coverage. 

Cigna offers affordable plans for families and individuals with no deductibles or copays for preventative care like cleanings, oral exams, and X-rays as well as coverage for minor and major restorative work such as dentures and bridges. No referrals are required for specialist care, and with some plans, there’s no waiting period for minor restorative treatment if you’ve had other insurance for 12 consecutive months. There’s no waiting period for preventative care with all plans. 

Exclusions and limitations vary by state. Only one plan covers orthodontics and some covered services are determined by age. You can choose a dentist who’s out of network, though you may end up paying more out of pocket if you do.

Rates vary by plan design and deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums selected. Cigna also has a top AM Best rating.

Spirit Dental and Vision, underwritten by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., offers dental and vision insurance for individuals and families. 

Unlike many other dental insurance plans, Spirit has no waiting period for basic and major services. You can start using your coverage on the effective date of your policy. With guaranteed acceptance, you don’t have to wait to get the dental care you need. 

Primary policyholders must be 18. Spouses/domestic partners and unmarried children up to age 26 are also eligible for coverage. Implants, dentures, bridges, inlays, and crowns are among the services covered. Spirit also covers orthodontics, another benefit if you have a child who will need braces soon. 

Coverage amounts differ per plan, so be sure to check out the various options to see which one is right for you. All plans have a one-time $100 deductible. The monthly premium is based on several factors, including what coverage you select, where you live, and whether you go with one of the company’s Choice or Network options. Network plans have lower premiums. 

You can choose any dentist in or out of network, giving you more flexibility. Annual maximums range from $1,200 to $5,000.

Underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare is committed to making the health system work better for everyone, serving millions of customers from kids to seniors. 

The carrier offers a variety of dental plans to fit any family budget. Plans cover basic services like fillings and x-rays as well as major services like root canals and endo. 

United has a large network of dentists, though you can choose to go out of network if you’re willing to pay additional costs and to submit your own paperwork for coverage. There are also plans geared specifically toward seniors. It’s easy to search for plans on the website, with the option to add a spouse and children. Waiting periods for major services are four to 12 months. 

Exclusions do apply. Major services are subject to the plan’s deductible. Co-pays are also required for some basic services, depending on the plan you select. The annual maximum is between roughly $1,000 and $3,000, also depending on your plan.  

Smart Health Dental, powered by Renaissance, offers multiple dental insurance and non-insurance plan options and is committed to providing quality insurance nationwide. 

The provider offers a basic plan for seniors and others who only need preventative care and a comprehensive plan for those who need access to more treatment such as dentures, implants, and bridges—with no waiting period for either. There are more than 200,000 dentists in the network. Exclusions and limitations apply.

Benefits increase with the comprehensive plan for the first three years, with the maximum starting at about $750 then increasing to $1,000 the next year and $1,250 the after that. The percentage of coverage on some services will also go up, while the deductible will remain at about $50 per person and $150 per family. There’s no deductible for the preventative plan.

Physicians Mutual has offered insurance plans to millions of Americans since 1902, with the goal of making coverage easy to understand. 

All of the company’s dental plans cover the same 350 procedures, you just need to determine which monthly fee and level of coverage work best for you. While there’s no waiting period for preventative treatment, basic services aren't available for three months, and major treatments like dentures and root canals require a 12-month wait. Acceptance is guaranteed for anyone 18 or older. Note: Orthodontics aren't covered and limitations apply.

Keep in mind there’s no deductible to meet and that translates into savings. You can see any dentist you want, or save a national average of roughly 36% on covered services by choosing a dentist from the carrier’s network of more than 500,000 provider locations. 

Delta Dental is described as the nation’s leading dental service provider, offering coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories and serving more than 80 million Americans. Delta Dental Plans Association is a not-for-profit organization. The company is focused on providing personalized customer service and boasts the largest network of dentists nationwide. DeltaVision is also available separately or as part of your dental plan. 

The company offers a variety of options for individuals and families, including some plans that cover orthodontics. Routine services are typically 100% covered. Orthodontic coverage varies by plan but typically includes the pre-orthodontic treatment visit, exam and start-up records, X-rays, comprehensive orthodontic treatment, retainers, and post-treatment records.

Services like cleanings, X-rays, and exams usually have no waiting period. Fillings, crowns, bridges, and other treatments may have a waiting period, depending on your plan. 

Deductibles, co-pays, and maximums vary by plan. You can see an out-of-network dentist, but will likely pay higher fees when you do. 

Guardian Direct offers a variety of insurance beyond dental, including vision, life, accident, and disability. The goal of the company is to bring reliable insurance directly to the people.  

No matter which dental plan you choose, there are no waiting periods for preventative care. There are various waiting periods for services covered in other plans, including 12 months for implants. 

For Guardian Dental Managed DentalGuard, all covered services must be provided by an in-network physician who serves as your primary care dentist, and referrals to any specialists must come from that dentist, as well. Guardian has a network of more than 100,000 dentists. 

With the carrier’s PPO plans, you also have the choice of visiting an out-of-network dentist. 

Instant approval is guaranteed, meaning you can sign up for a plan in a matter of minutes. Limitations and exclusions apply. 

Dental plans start as low as roughly $15 a month, and there is no deductible for preventative care. Dental premiums are subject to change with 60 days' notice.