Best Dental Insurance Plans With No Annual Maximum

Physicians Mutual is our pick for the best overall dental insurance plan with no annual maximum because of its multifaceted coverage and no waiting period for preventive care. Coverage with Physicians Mutual starts at around $30 per month for its basic plan, which can include more than 400 procedures, including preventive care and more serious dental needs like crowns and dentures. Even better, there is no waiting period for preventive care, so you can get started right away on cleanings, X-rays, and routine exams.

There are no deductibles, and in addition to no waiting period for preventative care, there is also no waiting period for basic procedures such as cavity fillings, minor surgeries, sedation, and simple tooth extractions. There is a 12-month waiting period for major work, including root canals, crowns, dentures, and surgical tooth extractions.

What also makes Physicians Mutual stand out is that there are no lifetime benefit limits on your plan. For those looking for more in-depth coverage, Physicians Mutual can be a great fit if you have the time to wait for coverage to kick in.

Delta Dental is our pick for the most affordable policies, offering affordable dental discount plans that are further boosted by limited premiums and free service for many everyday procedures. It is a provider known for discount dental plans like its Delta Dental Patient Direct and HMO plans like its DeltaCare USA.

Both plans prioritize affordability and low premiums. Delta Dental offers an upfront fee schedule for its HMO plans, so you know exactly what you will need to pay depending on the service you need. For example, its low-priced Delta Care USA HMO plan in the state of California requires copays of $15 to $60 for fillings, and $250 to $375 for crowns.

There generally is no waiting period for preventive care, but some more in-depth procedures may require some form of a waiting period. Some procedures are typically exempt from coverage, such as implants, but teeth whitening is available with some plans. Either way, it is always important to check your coverage to see what is included with your specific plan.

Delta Dental has a smaller network of dentists in some states, and you may have to pay substantially more for an out-of-network dentist. If you do not mind sticking to Delta Dental’s network, however, this could be a great choice for those who prioritize affordability in a dental plan.

Humana is best for coverage because its dental insurance plans make it easy to start your dental care with no waiting period required. You can choose the Dental Preventive Value plan for no annual maximum, although the terms of your plan may vary slightly based on the state in which you live. Humana offers 100% coverage for preventive care, which means routine cleanings and standard X-rays are included. Orthodontic coverage is generally excluded, but a discount may be available.

To help you save, there are no annual deductibles in the Dental Savings plan. Most plans have a PPO structure, and therefore charge coinsurance for most procedures. The provider also restricts your care to only the dentists in its network. However, it boasts one of the larger networks, with more than 335,000 participating dentists nationwide and a convenient online search tool, so you can pick the best provider for you.

Careington is prepared to help with your major dental work, offering discount dental plans with an upfront discount schedule that makes it easy to understand your coverage. There are no eligibility exclusions, although plans are not available in Vermont. Plans start at $8.95 per month or $89 per year with member savings of up to 60% off standard dental procedures.

In addition to overall affordability, Careington’s coverage is comprehensive, with no waiting period, and includes cosmetic services like braces, dentures, and teeth whitening. While orthodontic coverage includes braces, it provides only up to 20% off normal costs. 

Careington also offers DialCare Teledentistry, which offers a new way to communicate with experienced and licensed dental providers. There is 24/7 support available 365 days a year via virtual consultations done over the phone or video chat. You can receive advice and even a diagnosis for everyday and urgent dental-related issues.

Owned by CVS Health, Aetna is a well-known provider of medical care, and it is our pick for the best coverage for individuals, thanks to full preventive care that includes cleanings and routine X-rays at no out-of-pocket cost. Members have access to a wide selection of providers, with a network of at least 241,000 providers, and some plans having an even larger network. Preventive care is included with coverage for even your sealant work, and Aetna plans offer up to 50% coverage for major dental work. There are also no deductibles on discount savings plans, although these may offer a little less coverage for major dental work than PPOs.  

Another feature of Aetna is its Freedom-of-Choice option for group insurance plans, which allows members to switch between plans on a monthly basis. It is an added flexibility that is rare among dental insurance providers. Aetna’s dental savings plan costs $7.99 per month. PPO pricing varies with age and location. Coverage can begin immediately, but there is a waiting period of 12 months before you can use your benefits for major dental work.

Cigna is best when you need preventive dental coverage immediately without any waiting periods. Its dental plans give access to full preventive care with no deductibles or copays required. Plans give you access to more than 110,000 dentists.

To help you find a provider, Cigna offers its proprietary Brighter Score feature, which uses an exclusive scoring model to rate dentists and specialists based on factors like services, pricing, and customer experience. Even better, you do not have to choose a primary provider, and there are no referrals required for specialists.

However, there is a waiting period of up to 12 months for major dental work, and coverage for cosmetic and implant services is missing from Cigna dental plans. Orthodontic services are available under the Cigna Dental 1500 plan under a $50 per person lifetime deductible with a $1,000 per person lifetime maximum. There is no waiting period for preventive care, but basic and major services, such as simple extractions, crowns, and root canal therapy all have waiting periods that can last anywhere from six to 12 months, depending on whether minor or major services are required.