By Tahir Abbas, Editor · Last updated 1 November 2026
Dental insurance helps with the cost of looking after your teeth: check-ups, cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns and, on some plans, orthodontics. Dental bills are easy to postpone and expensive when they build up, which is why a plan that encourages regular preventive care can save money as well as teeth.
This guide explains what dental insurance typically covers, what it leaves out, who it suits, and how to compare plans before you buy.
What dental insurance typically covers
- Preventive care: exams, cleanings and X-rays, often covered in full
- Basic work: fillings and simple extractions
- Major work: crowns, bridges, root canals and dentures, usually at a lower percentage
- Some plans include orthodontics, implants or cosmetic work as optional extras
What dental insurance typically does not cover
- Treatment for conditions that existed before the policy started, on many plans
- Work done during waiting periods, which are common for major procedures
- Cosmetic treatment, unless the plan specifically includes it
- Costs above the plan’s annual maximum benefit
- Treatment from dentists outside the plan’s network, on network-based plans
Who dental insurance is for
Anyone without dental cover through an employer or health plan, and anyone who wants predictable costs for routine care and unexpected major work. Families with children, people with a history of dental problems, and anyone considering orthodontics should compare carefully.
How to choose and compare dental insurance
- Check the annual maximum and whether preventive care counts toward it
- Compare waiting periods for basic and major work
- Confirm your dentist is in the network, if the plan has one
- Look at the percentage paid for each category of work, not just the premium
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Sources and Disclosure
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Plan features described here are general and vary by insurer and state; always read the sample policy before you buy. For the rules governing insurance in your state, see the consumer resources of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Disclosure: Being Insurance is an independent comparison site. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. That never changes which companies we list or the order we present them in.