Sponsored Content
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular visits to a dentist for cleaning and checkups can improve not only your oral health but also your overall health. Many people can’t afford to pay for proper dental care without insurance, so if you’re interested in purchasing dental insurance, it’s important to choose the best dental insurance coverage for your specific needs.
When comparing dental insurance plans, look for key factors such as waiting time, monthly premium amount, services covered, and annual benefit limits. The best insurance providers may offer several plans to meet your needs. It can be confusing to search individual websites, so we’ve reviewed several companies and chosen our top picks.
#1 DentalPlans.com – Best for Dental Discount Marketplace
DentalPlans.com Pros
- Coverage available nationwide
- Immediate coverage for routine services
- Orthodontic coverage available for adults and children
- Available through federal and state marketplaces
- Broad network of dental providers
- Consumers Advocates rating: 4.8/5
Cons of DentalPlans.com
- Low maximum annual benefit
- Plan selections are different for every state
Why Did We Choose DentalPlans.com?
Many providers don’t offer orthodontic coverage for adults. DentalPlans has the best variety of plans that include orthodontic services available to both children and adults. PPO, HMO, discount, and managed fee plans are available.
DentalPlans.com Copays: Rating 4.6/5
Most Dentalplans.com pay 100% of preventive services such as cleanings and X-rays. The percentage of covered basic and major services that it pays varies by the type of policy you purchase. Payment for basic care such as fillings ranges from 50% to 80%. If your policy includes major or orthodontic care, DentalPlans.com pays 50% for those services.
Maximum DentalPlans.com Benefits: Rating 4.2/5
For some people, having a $1,000-$1,500 maximum benefit allowance for dental care is sufficient. However, for those who have cavities often or need more extensive dental treatments, lower yearly maximums can be restrictive. DentalPlan’s copay amount for braces and orthodontic care is 50%; a $1,000 lifetime maximum for orthodontic services may not cover half of the cost of braces. Keep in mind, though, that Dental Plans.com offers orthodontic coverage to both children and adults, something that many carriers don’t provide.
Waiting Period DentalPlans: Rating 4.8/5
There is no waiting period for preventive, diagnostic, or basic care with DentalPlans.com. However, there is a 12-month waiting period for major or orthodontic services.
Check Out DentalPlans.com’s Discount Marketplace
#2 Guardian Direct – Best for Major Dental Services
Guardian Direct Dental Pros
- Affordable premiums starting at $20 in some areas
- Wide selection of dental providers
- DHMO and PPO plan options
- No deductible for in-network major work
- ConsumersAdvocate.org rating: 4.9/5
Cons of Guardian Direct Dental Plans
- Low yearly maximum benefits
- Poor customer satisfaction ratings
Why Did We Choose Guardian Direct Dental Insurance?
Most Guardian Direct dental plans cover major work such as crowns, oral surgery, and implants. Some plans also cover orthodontic work for children under 19. In-network preventive services have no deductible, and the deductible for out-of-network preventive and other dental services is only $50.
Guardian Direct Dental Copays: Rating 4.1/5
The