Dental coverage options

Three tiers of dental care

Most dental coverage separates preventive care, basic restorative work, and major procedures, and pays a different share for each. Understanding which tier your likely treatment falls into matters more than the headline premium.

• Preventive: cleanings and exams, often covered at the highest share.
• Basic: fillings and simple extractions, usually with cost sharing.
• Major: crowns, bridges and similar work, typically the lowest share and most restricted.

The two limits that decide value

Annual maximums cap what a plan pays in a year, and waiting periods delay when major work becomes eligible. A plan with a low monthly cost and a long waiting period can be the wrong choice if you already know work is needed.

Questions we ask first

The answers usually point clearly to one option.

• Is there dental work you already know is coming?
• Do you want to keep a specific dentist?
• Is this coverage for you alone or for a household?