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 Overall: Delta Dental
- Runner Up: MetLife
- Most Affordable: Physicians Mutual
- Best Waiting Period for Implants: Spirit
- Best for Customer Satisfaction: DentaQuest
Best Overall : Delta Dental
- Annual Max Benefit for Sample Plan: $2,000
- Deductible for Sample Plan: $50
- Company’s Nationwide Availability: 50 states and Washington D.C.
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.
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
Second-highest premiums of the companies we reviewed
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.
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.
Plan | Implants Coverage in Year 1 | Waiting Period for Implants | Sample Premium | Annual Max Benefit |
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Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan | 50% | 6 months | $65 | $2,000 |
Runner Up : MetLife
- Annual Max Benefit for Sample Plan: $1,500
- Deductible for Sample Plan: $50
- Company’s Nationwide Availability: 50 states and Washington D.C.
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.
Low average deductible
Relatively low premium
Pays a relatively high percentage of implant costs
12-month waiting period for implants
Below-average J.D. Power rating
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.
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.
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
- Annual Max Benefit for Sample Plan: Unlimited
- Deductible for Sample Plan: $0
- Company’s Nationwide Availability: 42 states and Washington D.C.
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.
Great premiums
Highest maximum annual benefit
Lowest deductible
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
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.
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.
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
- Annual Max Benefit for Sample Plan: $1,200
- Deductible for Sample Plan: $100
- Company’s Nationwide Availability: 49 states and Washington D.C.
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.
No waiting period for implants and crowns
Relatively low premiums
Rare lifetime deductible
Poor coverage for dental implants
Low cap on annual coverage for all care
More complaints than expected for a company of its size
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.
Below are quotes for an applicant living in Los Angeles, rounded to the nearest dollar. You may find other plans in your state.
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
- Annual Max Benefit for Sample Plan: $1,250
- Deductible for Sample Plan: $100
- Company’s Nationwide Availability: 12 states
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.
Fewest customer complaints
Good J.D. Power rating for customer satisfaction
Good coverage for implants in some locations
Affordable premiums
18-month waiting period for implants
Limited state availability
Relatively high deductible
Lower annual maximum benefit than many competitors
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.
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.
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
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:
State (ZIP Code) | Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan |
---|---|
New York (10001) | $48 monthly premium $50 annual deductible $2,000 annual maximum benefit |
Florida (34787) | $49 monthly premium $50 annual deductible $2,000 annual maximum benefit |
Texas (79936) | $42 monthly premium $50 annual deductible $2,000 annual maximum benefit |
California (90011) | $65 monthly premium $50 annual deductible $2,000 annual maximum benefit |
Pennsylvania (15006) | $38 monthly premium $50 annual deductible $2,000 annual maximum benefit |
Compare the Best Dental Insurance Companies for Implants
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).
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?
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.
How Much Does Dental Implant Insurance Cost?
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.
How to Choose the Best Insurance for Dental Implants
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.
- Consider the premium: The cost of your dental insurance policy depends on several factors. Policies with high deductibles and high annual maximums often have more expensive premiums. Get dental insurance quotes from several companies to see which one can offer you the most reasonable premium for the amount of coverage you want.
- Look at the out-of-pocket costs: Even the best dental insurance plans have some out-of-pocket costs. For example, many plans will only cover 25% to 50% of implant procedures after you’ve reached your deductible. If you anticipate needing implants in the future, consider getting a plan that provides a high amount of coverage. You’ll need to look at the plan’s premium and deductible, which may be higher than for a plan with a lower coverage level, and do the math to consider whether it’s worth it.
- Choose a plan with a high annual maximum and a high implant max: The annual maximum is the most amount of money your insurance plan will pay out for covered dental care. Once you hit the annual maximum, you have to pay 100% of your treatment cost out-of-pocket until the next year. Some plans also limit the amount they’ll pay for implants separately from other types of major care. If you want the most coverage for dental implants, choose a plan with a high annual maximum benefit and high implant cap.
- Read the summary of benefits: Make sure to read the summary of benefits before purchasing a dental insurance plan to check for limitations or exclusions. For example, some plans have a separate annual benefit for complex care or specific procedures. You should also review the waiting period for major dental services (including implants), which can differ between plans.
- Review customer satisfaction ratings: Some dental insurance companies have better customer satisfaction than others. Before you purchase a dental insurance plan for implants, look at customer satisfaction information from the NAIC and J.D. Power.
How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Insurance
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.
Average Cost of Dental Implants
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:
- Extraction: $135
- Bone graft at the time of implant placement: $552
- Dental implant: $2,013
- Prefabricated abutment: $718
- Implant-supported crown: $1,511
- Total cost for one tooth: $4,929
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.
Why You Should Trust Us
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Are Dental Implants?
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.
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What Is Dental Implant Insurance?
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.
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What Does Dental Insurance for Implants Typically Exclude?
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.
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Can You Get Dental Insurance That Covers Implants Immediately?
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.
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Should You Get Dental Insurance for Implants?
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.”
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Companies We Reviewed
To find the best dental insurance for implants, we reviewed the following insurance companies:
- Delta Dental
- MetLife
- Renaissance
- Physicians Mutual
- Humana
- Cigna
- Spirit
- Guardian
- Ameritas
- DentaQuest
- Anthem BCBS
- Denali Dental
- UnitedHealth One
How We Review the Best Dental Insurance Companies for Implants
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:
- State Availability: 5%
- Customer Satisfaction: 10%
- Cost-to-Value: 35%
- Coverage: 45%
- Customer Service: 5%
To learn more about our process for finding the best dental insurance companies, read our full methodology.
Guide to Dental Insurance
- How Does Dental Insurance Work?
- How to Choose Dental Insurance
- Can I Get Dental Insurance Through the Health Insurance Marketplace?
- Is Dental Insurance Worth It?
- How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?
- Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?
- Is Dental Insurance Tax Deductible?
- Does Dental Insurance Cover Crowns?
- Does Dental Insurance Cover Dentures?
- Using Your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Dental Care
- Best Dental Insurance Companies
- Best Dental Insurance With No Waiting Periods
- Best Dental Insurance for Braces
- Best Dental Insurance for Older Adults
- Best Dental Insurance for Older Adults on Medicare
- Best Dental Insurance With No Annual Maximum