Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care — no cleanings, no fillings, no crowns, no dentures, no most dental extractions. Limited exceptions: Medicare Part A may cover dental services that are integral to a covered hospital procedure (e.g., a tooth extraction needed before heart surgery, or jaw reconstruction after an accident).
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans frequently include dental. As of 2026, about 97% of Medicare Advantage plans offer some dental coverage. Coverage varies dramatically:
- Preventive dental (cleanings, exams, X-rays) — usually 100% covered, no deductible. Available on most MA plans.
- Basic dental (fillings, simple extractions) — usually 50–80% covered, often with annual maximums of $500–$2,500.
- Comprehensive/major dental (crowns, dentures, root canals, periodontal) — often capped at $1,000–$3,500 per year. Some Special Needs Plans (SNPs) and premium MA plans offer $5,000+.
- Network rules apply — most MA dental requires you to use the plan's dental network or accept reduced reimbursement out-of-network.
Stand-alone dental insurance (separate from Medicare) is also available from carriers like Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, and others. Premiums typically run $20–$50/month with $1,000–$3,000 annual maximums and 6–12 month waiting periods for major work.
What about implants? Most MA plans don't cover implants. A few specialty plans do (especially in 2026). Stand-alone dental usually has waiting periods and lifetime maximums on implants.
Strategy by situation:
- Healthy teeth, want preventive care covered: A Medicare Advantage plan with dental built in is usually the cheapest path.
- Major dental work coming up: Look at MA plans with high dental maximums ($2,500+) OR pair Original Medicare with a stand-alone dental policy that has the specific procedures you need.
- Already on Medigap: Medigap doesn't cover dental — you'd add stand-alone dental.
What to do next: Call (866) 534-1886. We compare every Medicare Advantage plan in your ZIP by their dental benefits AND your other priorities (your doctors, your drugs, your budget) so the dental coverage doesn't come at the expense of fit on the bigger items. Free.