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- Health Insurance
By
Elizabeth Rivelli
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Full Bio
Elizabeth Rivelli is an insurance writer passionate about helping people navigate the complex world of insurance to help them make empowered choices.
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Updated February 24, 2024
Fact checked by
Bobby L. Hickman, FLMI CLU
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Fact checked byBobby L. Hickman, FLMI CLU
Full Bio
Bobby L. Hickman is a longtime business and financial journalist who brings decades of experience in insurance and financial services to his editor role at Investopedia. He has worked with insurance and financial services companies, such as AFLAC, Allstate, Confederation Life, Farm Bureau, SunLife, and others. His editorial clients include the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Advisors magazine.
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Delta Dental is the best dental insurance company for implants overall. It offers excellent in-network and out-of-network coverage in all 50 states and Washington D.C., and is highly rated for overall customer satisfaction. The plans that cover implants also have reasonable waiting periods and a high maximum benefit, which is important, given that an implant costs more than $2,000 on average. To find the best dental insurance for implants, we researched 17 companies that offer dental implant coverage and made our picks based on nine criteria, including premiums and deductibles, the waiting period for implants, and the percentage of costs that are covered. Best Dental Insurance for Implants of 2024 Best Dental Insurance for Implants of 2024 Our Expert Pick Compare Providers What It Covers How Much Is Implant Insurance? How to Choose How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Insurance Average Cost of Dental Implants Why Trust Us Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Methodology Guide to Dental Insurance Investopedia's Rating 4.9 Key Specs Why We Chose It Delta Dental has the best coverage overall for dental implants. The Individual PPO Premium Plan is the only plan that covers dental implants, but it has a $50 deductible and a $2,000 annual maximum benefit. Out of the 17 companies we reviewed, Delta Dental has some of the lowest deductibles and highest annual maximum benefits. Once you hit your annual deductible, Delta Dental will pay 50% of your treatment costs for implants, whether your dentist is in or out of network. There is a six-month waiting period for implants and crowns, which is better than the 12-month waiting period many other companies require. Delta Dental also has impressive customer satisfaction ratings, earning one of the best scores from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) of the companies on this list. Delta Dental’s average complaint index for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 is 0.35, which is much lower than the national index of 1.0 and means the company received far fewer complaints than others proportional to its size. However, the company has some of the highest dental insurance premiums of the companies we reviewed. Pros & Cons Pros Low average deductible High annual maximum coverage Pays a relatively high percentage of implant costs Very low number of customer complaints relative to the company’s size Cons Second-highest premiums of the companies we reviewed Overview Delta Dental began selling dental insurance to employees in several West Coast states in 1954. Today, the company operates as 39 independent Delta Dental companies that sell dental insurance in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Note, however, that the sample plan we looked at, the Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan, is only available in 16 states. The company offers a good variety of dental insurance plans, including HMOs, PPOs, and a dental service discount plan. (Dental discount plans are not insurance, but offer reduced prices for services.) Delta Dental customers can access an online customer portal and mobile app, where they can find in-network dentists, view ID cards, and estimate the cost of dental care. To contact Delta Dental, visit this page and select how you receive your dental benefits (through your employer or as an individual subscriber). Then, select your state to find the company’s contact information for your location. You can reach Delta Dental via phone or by submitting an online form. Overview of Implants Insurance Plan To give you an idea of the kind of implants coverage Delta Dental provides, we gathered information about the only PPO plan available in Los Angeles that covers implants. The information below is from a quote for a 30-year-old female applicant living there, and the premium is rounded to the nearest dollar. You may find other plans in your state. Investopedia's Rating 4.7 Key Specs Why We Chose It MetLife is a close second to Delta Dental for the best dental insurance provider for implants, and the two are comparable in a few ways. MetLife’s lowest-cost PPO plan that includes coverage for implants in the ZIP codes we researched has a low $50 deductible (the same as Delta’s) and both companies also cover 50% of dental implant costs after you reach your deductible, which is better than some competitors. MetLife has a $1,500 maximum benefit, which is about average among the plans we researched, but 25% lower than Delta’s max coverage. And MetLife requires a 12-month waiting period for implants and crowns, which is longer than Delta Dental’s waiting period of six months. However, MetLife has more affordable premiums. Like Delta Dental, MetLife has fewer complaints than expected for its size according to the NAIC, with a three-year average index of 0.84. However, MetLife is rated below average for customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power U.S. Dental Plan Satisfaction Study. MetLife’s score is 775 (out of 1,000), which is lower than the study average of 782. Pros & Cons Pros Low average deductible Relatively low premium Pays a relatively high percentage of implant costs Cons 12-month waiting period for implants Below-average J.D. Power rating Overview MetLife was founded in 1868 and is headquartered in New York City. It sells dental insurance policies in all 50 states and Washington D.C. MetLife offers PPO and HMO dental insurance plans, as well as a dental discount program called MetLife Discount Dental Program. MetLife’s network consists of 146,000 dentists, and customers can use the online portal and mobile app to find local dentists, view plan information, download ID cards, and more. You can contact MetLife dental insurance by calling 1-800-942-0854. Overview of Implants Insurance Plans The plans offered by MetLife vary by state. But to provide a sampling of what the company has, we looked at plans in Los Angeles and collected quotes for a 30-year-old female applicant there. We rounded premiums to the nearest dollar. You may find other plans in your state. Investopedia's Rating 4.3 Key Specs Why We Chose It Physicians Mutual offers the most affordable dental insurance for implants. Its lowest-cost PPO plan that provides coverage for implants has the best premium and the lowest deductible ($0) out of the 17 companies we reviewed. But while Physicians Mutual is the best for cost, it doesn’t offer the best coverage for dental implants. The plan we researched has no annual benefit limit for most dental care, but there is a $1,000 lifetime cap on coverage for implants. And after meeting your deductible, the plan only pays for 25% of dental implant procedures with an in-network or out-of-network dentist. Physicians Mutual has an extensive network of 500,000 locations, but it’s not clear how many dentists that includes. Pros & Cons Pros Great premiums Highest maximum annual benefit Lowest deductible Cons Low coverage for implants and other major procedures Low $1,000 lifetime maximum for implants Worse-than-average complaint score among the companies we researched Overview Physicians Mutual was established in 1902 and originally began selling insurance to doctors and surgeons. Today, the company sells four dental insurance plans in 42 states and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. To get in touch with Physicians Mutual customer service, you can call 1-800-228-9100 during business hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. You can also call 1-800-820-1761 to speak with an agent directly. Current customers can find dentists and access plan details and claims through the online portal and the Physicians Mutual mobile app. Overview of Implants Insurance Plans The premiums below are for a 30-year-old female applicant in Los Angeles and are rounded to the nearest dollar. Your premium may differ. Investopedia's Rating 4.2 Key Specs Why We Chose It Spirit’s lowest-premium PPO that covers dental implants has no waiting period before the plan will start paying for implants or crowns. Most other dental insurance companies we reviewed require a 12-month waiting period for major dental work, which includes crowns and implants. Basic services, such as fillings, typically have no waiting period. The company also tends to have low premiums. Spirit’s lowest premium is much cheaper than Delta Dental’s lowest premium and MetLife’s lowest premium, for example. And most plans have a $100 lifetime deductible, while competitors often make you pay a deductible every year. Compared to other providers, however, Spirit’s coverage for dental implants is lacking. The annual max coverage is only $1,200, which is lower than average for the companies we researched. Whether you go in-network or out-of-network for dental implants, the plan only covers 25% of your treatment after you pay your deductible. That’s half of what the top competitors pay. Spirit is owned by Ameritas, which is rated poorly for customer satisfaction. It has a worse NAIC complaint index than nine other companies we looked at for implant coverage, and it is ranked last in a 2023 J.D. Power dental insurance survey. Pros & Cons Pros No waiting period for implants and crowns Relatively low premiums Rare lifetime deductible Cons Poor coverage for dental implants Low cap on annual coverage for all care More complaints than expected for a company of its size Overview Spirit’s dental insurance plans are offered by Ameritas, a life insurance company that was founded in 1887 and is based in Lincoln, Nebraska. You can purchase dental insurance from Spirit in 49 states and Washington D.C. In Texas, Spirit dental insurance plans are called Ameritas Dental Network. All of Spirit’s individual dental insurance and vision insurance plans have a 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your plan after 30 days, you can cancel and get a full refund. You can get in touch with a Spirit insurance agent by calling 1-844-833-8440. Overview of Implants Insurance Plans Below are quotes for an applicant living in Los Angeles, rounded to the nearest dollar. You may find other plans in your state. Investopedia's Rating 3.9 Key Specs Why We Chose It DentaQuest has the best overall customer satisfaction ratings out of the providers we reviewed. It has the lowest NAIC complaint index, at 0.19, which is well below the 1.0 index figure that represents the number of complaints expected for a company of its size. DentaQuest is also rated above average for overall custom satisfaction by J.D. Power. DentaQuest’s J.D. Power rating is 794, which is better than the study average of 782 and better than five of the nine companies in the survey. DentaQuest offers plans that cover implants in 12 states, but the coverage isn’t great. There is an 18-month waiting period before your plan starts covering major dental services. The sample plan we researched (DentaQuest Personal Dental Plan Plus), covers up to 50% of your implant costs after you reach your deductible in Texas, but in Illinois, it only covers up to 30%. The annual maximum for all dental care is $1,250. DentaQuest has more affordable average premiums than most other top-rated providers, including Delta Dental, MetLife, and Spirit. However, DentaQuest has a relatively high deductible of $100, so you’ll pay more out-of-pocket for your dental care. Pros & Cons Pros Fewest customer complaints Good J.D. Power rating for customer satisfaction Good coverage for implants in some locations Affordable premiums Cons 18-month waiting period for implants Limited state availability Relatively high deductible Lower annual maximum benefit than many competitors Overview DentaQuest was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Boston. In 2021, DentaQuest was acquired by Sun Life, a group benefits administrator. DentaQuest provides dental and vision insurance to 37 million customers in the U.S. and is the largest provider of Medicaid dental benefits in the country. You can contact DentaQuest by calling 1-888-278-7310. Current customers can also log into their online portal or use the mobile app to view plan benefits, find a dentist, change dentists, and view ID cards. Overview of Implants Insurance Plan Below are quotes for coverage in Chicago and Atlanta. Premiums are rounded to the nearest dollar. Your coverage and premium may differ depending on your state and the plans available there. Overall, Delta Dental is the best dental insurance company for implants. However, other companies stand out in specific areas. For example, we found that DentaQuest is the best provider for overall customer satisfaction, and Physicians Mutual is the best for affordable premiums and deductibles. To give you an idea of what it might cost you, here are the average monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and annual maximum benefits for Delta Dental’s PPO Individual - Premier Plan in five different states for a 30-year-old female: Below, you can compare the best dental insurance companies for implants based on key features. This information is for the lowest-premium PPO plan that covers implants, and includes average rates for a 30-year-old female in Los Angeles County, California (90011 ZIP code) and El Paso County, Texas (79936). Some dental insurance plans provide coverage for implants, which may include extracting an old tooth, grafting bone, placing the implant, local anesthesia, and adding a crown. However, the amount of coverage depends on the plan, and coverage amounts may vary for the various steps in the process. For example, Delta Dental’s PPO Individual - Premium Plan covers 50% of dental implant procedures after hitting your deductible, and you pay the other 50%. By comparison, the Spirit Core PPO plan only covers 25% of implant procedures, so you would pay 75% of the cost out-of-pocket. Another coverage factor is the maximum amount a plan will pay every year. Annual maximum benefits for the plans we researched are generally between $750 and $2,500. Some companies, including Physicians Mutual, have an unlimited annual benefit, but they may balance that out by covering a smaller percentage of costs. The cost of dental implant insurance varies depending on a number of factors, which may include your age, the insurance company, and the specific insurance plan you get. Based on quotes from the 17 dental insurance companies we reviewed, monthly premiums for plans with implant coverage range from $31 to $70. Annual deductibles can run anywhere from $0 to $150. There are some good dental insurance plans that cover implants, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before you choose a policy. Many dental insurance plans cover implants when they are considered medically necessary or are required after an accident. However, dental insurance plans typically exclude coverage for implant procedures for cosmetic reasons. To get your dental implants covered by insurance, you may need to prove that the procedure is necessary for your oral health. Your dentist may be able to submit findings from their evaluation that would classify the implant procedure and associated treatment as medically necessary. Dental implants can be incredibly expensive if you don’t have dental insurance. The average costs for the various procedures that may be involved in the implant process are as follows: Even with the best dental insurance, your plan might only pay for up to 50% of your treatment costs. In this case, if the total cost of an implant is $4,000, your plan would cover $2,000 (after you’ve paid your deductible) and you would pay the other $2,000. However, most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum limit. If the plan’s annual maximum limit was only $1,500, for example, you would end up paying $2,500 out-of-pocket for the $4,000 dental implant procedure described above. Investopedia collected 595 key data points from 17 dental insurance companies to identify the most important factors for readers choosing a dental insurance company and plan. We used this data to review each company for premiums, waiting periods, and other features to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999, and has been helping readers find the best dental insurance companies since 2020. Dental implants are medical devices surgically implanted into the jaw to replace a missing tooth (or teeth) lost to disease or injury. Implants provide support for artificial teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dental implant insurance is a plan that covers dental implant procedures and other dental restoration services. Most plans cover up to a certain percentage of the cost of implants after you’ve reached your deductible. Also, most dental insurance plans only cover implants after a waiting period, so you usually can’t use your benefits right away. Dental insurance for implants typically doesn’t cover implants for cosmetic purposes. Additionally, many plans won’t cover implants if you’re missing a tooth before you purchase the dental insurance plan. Some dental insurance plans cover implants immediately. One example is Spirit’s Core PPO plan, which has no waiting period for any dental services, including implants and other complex cases. However, the plan only covers 25% of dental implant treatment, so you’ll pay for most of the procedure out-of-pocket. Dental implants can be very expensive—around $5,000 or more—so having dental insurance that covers implants is beneficial for some people. We found the average monthly premium for a PPO plan that covers implants in El Paso, Texas is around $38, and you’ll need to pay your premiums during any waiting period your plan requires. Usually, this is six months to a year. So it may still be worth it to pay for a plan if you think you’ll need implants in the future. But it makes sense to first thoroughly research any plan you’re considering, and get a detailed estimate of costs from your dentist. “Don't buy dental insurance just because you have decided to get a dental implant,” said Dr, Mark A. Vitale, a dentist at Edison Dental Arts in Edison, New Jersey and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA). “Many plans do not pay for implants, and may only cover an alternative and less expensive treatment, such as a partial or full denture.” Vitale also said that most plans have a maximum payout that exceeds the cost of dental implants. “Unless you have a unique plan that has no annual maximum and comprehensive coverage, don't rely on dental insurance if you elect treatment with dental implants. Always research the plan and its provisions carefully.” To find the best dental insurance for implants, we reviewed the following insurance companies: To determine which dental insurance companies to review, we tapped into both market data and public sentiment. We used business and industry databases to get insights into market share, and user-generated data from Google to understand trends and public interest in stand-alone dental plans. This analysis narrowed our focus to 17 key companies offering implants coverage to individuals, regardless of whether their health insurance was purchased through state or federal marketplaces or independently. We collected data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a standard-setting and regulatory support organization that maintains a database of customer complaints. We also gathered data directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. The data collection process took place between Oct. 9, 2023 and Dec. 23, 2023. We then developed a quantitative model that scored each dental insurance provider based on 10 criteria that fall into five major categories and are crucial in evaluating the company’s offerings and benefits. We weighted the five categories as follows for this article: To learn more about our process for finding the best dental insurance companies, read our full methodology. Article Sources Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy. Delta Dental. “What Is a Dental Discount Plan?” J.D. Power. "Dental Plan Satisfaction Rising as Communications and Plan Coverage Increase, J.D. Power Finds." Spirit Dental. “Our 30-Day Customer Satisfaction Guarantee on Dental & Vision Plans.” Humana. “Does Dental Insurance Cover Implants?” American Dental Association. “Survey of Dental Fees 2020.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Dental Implants: What You Should Know.” Investopedia is part of the Dotdash Meredithpublishingfamily. Please review our updatedTerms of Service.Best Dental Insurance for Implants of 2024
Best Overall : Delta Dental
Plan Implants Coverage in Year 1 Waiting Period for Implants Sample Premium Annual Max Benefit Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan 50% 6 months $65 $2,000 Runner Up : MetLife
Plan Implants Coverage in Year 1 Waiting Period for Implants Sample Premium Annual Max Benefit MetLife TakeAlong Dental Medium 50% 12 months $44 $1,500 MetLife TakeAlong Dental High 50% 12 months $63 $2,000 NCD Complete by MetLife 10% None $82 $10,000 Most Affordable : Physicians Mutual
Plan Implants Coverage in Year 1 Waiting Period for Implants Sample Premium Annual Max Benefit Economy 25% 12 months $31 Unlimited; $1,000 lifetime limit for implants Standard 40% 12 months $39 Unlimited; $1,000 lifetime limit for implants Preferred 55% 12 months $47 Unlimited; $1,000 lifetime limit for implants Premier 70% 12 months $57 Unlimited; $1,000 lifetime limit for implants Best Waiting Period for Implants : Spirit
Plan Implants Coverage in Year 1 Waiting Period for Implants Sample Premium Annual Max Benefit Spirit Core PPO 50% None $38 $1,200 Spirit Senior Preferred PPO 20% None $48 $3,000 Spirit Pinnacle PPO 25% None $52 $5,000 Best for Customer Satisfaction : DentaQuest
Plan Implants Coverage in Year 1 Waiting Period for Implants Sample Premium Sample Max Benefit IL Personal Dental Plan Plus 50% 18 months $42 $1,250 GA Personal Dental Plan Comprehensive with Ortho 2000 50% 12 months $35 $2,000 GA Personal Dental Plan Comprehensive Plus with Ortho 1500 50% None $44 $1,500 Our Expert Pick for Implants Coverage in Any State
State (ZIP Code) Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan New York (10001) $48 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,000 annual maximum benefitFlorida (34787) $49 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,000 annual maximum benefitTexas (79936) $42 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,000 annual maximum benefitCalifornia (90011) $65 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,000 annual maximum benefitPennsylvania (15006) $38 monthly premium
$50 annual deductible
$2,000 annual maximum benefit Compare the Best Dental Insurance Companies for Implants
Company Implants Coverage in Year 1 Waiting Period for Implants Deductible Annual Max Benefit Delta Dental Best Overall 50% 6 months $50 $2,000 MetLife Runner Up 50% 12 months $50 $1,500 Physicians Mutual Most Affordable 25% 12 months $0 Unlimited; $1,000 for implants Spirit Best Waiting Period 50% None $100 $1,200 DentaQuest Best for Customer Satisfaction 50% 18 months $100 $1,250 What Does Dental Implant Insurance Cover?
How Much Does Dental Implant Insurance Cost?
How to Choose the Best Insurance for Dental Implants
How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Insurance
Average Cost of Dental Implants
Why You Should Trust Us
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Dental Implants?
What Is Dental Implant Insurance?
What Does Dental Insurance for Implants Typically Exclude?
Can You Get Dental Insurance That Covers Implants Immediately?
Should You Get Dental Insurance for Implants?
Companies We Reviewed
How We Review the Best Dental Insurance Companies for Implants
Guide to Dental Insurance
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