Medicare dental plans may cover some of your dental needs, but not all. It depends on your Medicare plan and the dental work you need. You can always get dental insurance through your job (employer) or buy a policy on your own. But you’ll want to know what happens when you retire or get Medicare dental insurance.
Does Medicare Cover Dental?
It depends in part on which type of Medicare dental plan you have. If you have original Medicare, the short answer is no. Most dental care and procedures are not covered. That means you might need to pay for your regular cleanings, fillings, or tooth removal (extractions).
So many older adults try skipping dental care. A recent study showed that once people start on Medicare, their tooth repairs drop by about 10%. And without fillings and crowns, there's an increase in complete tooth loss.
"That’s why it's important to research different insurances, including Medicare, if you're aged 65 or older and need dental coverage," says Adria Gross, CEO and Founder of MedWise Insurance Advocacy in Monroe, New York.
Regular Medicare might have some limited insurance through Medicare Part A. It's called hospital insurance.
“If you need to be admitted to the hospital for a complex dental surgery, original Medicare covers your stay but not the surgery itself,” explains Gross.
Medicare Part A also covers some dental work that happens during your hospital stay. So, if you’re in a car wreck that damages your jaw, it'll cover the surgery to fix (reconstruct) it in the hospital.
You may also get more dental coverage if you've got a Medicare Advantage plan. This commercial plan includes all the benefits of Medicare Part A, B, and D. It usually includes dental services and other things not covered under the regular plan, too.
What dental coverage does Medicare offer?
Original Medicare may cover your:
- Dental exam in the hospital before a procedure such as a kidney transplant or heart valve replacement
- Dental services related to radiation therapy for some jaw-related diseases
- Dental splints and wiring needed after your jaw surgery
- Jaw reconstruction if you've had surgery to remove a tumor from your face or been in an accident
Keep in mind that even original Medicare-covered dental services aren't free. You'll still need to pay about 20% of the amount. And that's after you've met the Part B deductible. You'll also need to pay the copayment for your hospital stay if you had the service in a hospital or medical facility.
All these costs may add up over time. But if you have Medicare Advantage, it will likely offer more dental coverage. However, no matter what plan you have, you'll likely pay huge out-of-pocket costs.
What doesn’t Medicare cover?
The original plan doesn't cover much, but Medicare Advantage covers more. Even with dental surgery that requires a hospital stay, the original plan won't cover your surgery. And keep in mind the plan doesn't cover any dental care related to your hospital stay either.
Original Medicare also doesn’t cover routine dental care, such as your:
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Dentures
You'll pay 100% for these non-covered services unless you have another Medicare plan.
Alternate Medicare Dental Plans
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are private health insurance plans. They cover everything that regular Medicare Parts A and B cover and more. Many cover routine preventive care, such as cleanings, X-rays, and regular exams. Depending on the plan you buy, they'll partially or fully cover these services.
You may also find coverage for things such as extractions, root canals, or dentures. You can even find plans to cover your crowns, fillings, or gum disease treatments.
Like other private health insurance plans, the Advantage plans come in a variety of types. They can be HMO, PPO, or private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans. Medicare Advantage plans generally have a monthly premium, along with a $185 monthly premium for Medicare Part B, as of 2025.
But there are some drawbacks to Medicare Advantage plans. They can limit you to a list of approved doctors and hospitals. So make sure you understand what you're getting.
You'll also want to make sure your dentist or one you like is in the Medicare Advantage network. Compare costs and benefits for plans in your area before buying. You can search for a plan using Medicare's Plan Finder.
Otherwise, if you stick with Medicare as your primary insurance, you may have out-of-pocket costs. Or another dental insurance can help cover your dental work. You can check private dental plans using different broker sites online.
Medicare dental insurance for older adults
When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, keep a few things in mind:
What dental care do you need? If you only need preventative care like cleanings, a basic plan may work fine. But if you think you'll need more, read the fine print carefully. About 86% of people with Medicare Advantage have benefits they don't know about.
The plans may cover fillings, root canals, dentures, and even dental implants. But many plans cap your dental coverage around $1,000 each year.
Don’t skimp on premiums. Some Advantage plans promise lower premiums or even money back. Medicare Part B can cover doctor visits or other outpatient services. But these may have fewer dental benefits.
As a result, you might end up paying more for your routine dental care. And this won't save you money in the long run.
Think beyond dental. You might not want to pick your plan simply based on its dental offerings.
"You want to make sure the doctors you want, and the medicines you take, are covered in-network, otherwise you’ll have high out-of-pocket costs," says Gross. "Most seniors spend more on out-of-pocket medical health costs than they do for dental care."
There are also affordable places to pay for dental care on your own, including:
Dentist's membership plan. These are regular monthly or yearly payment plans. You'll get preventive care such as cleanings and X-rays. Then, you'll pay for your dental work at a discount.
Dental school clinics. Some dental schools also offer dental care. The dental students do work, but it's supervised by an attending dentist. This is a good way to get high-quality but low-cost care. You can find an accredited dental school at the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).
Community health centers. Some centers get federal funds and offer free or lower-cost dental care, too. You can find one near you using the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) website.
Takeaways
Original Medicare dental plans don't cover much, except in rare cases like an oral exam for a hospital surgery. But you may find more coverage with a commercial Medicare Advantage plan. But other affordable strategies include dentist membership plans or going to a local dental school. No matter what you choose, it's important to keep up with your dental care for healthy teeth.
Medicare Dental Plans FAQs
How much do dentures cost for older people on Medicare?
A partial denture can cost you about $1,900, while a complete set can cost about $2,400. You'll have to pay the entire fee yourself if you've got the original Medicare dental plan. But with a Medicare Advantage plan, some of that cost may be covered.
Will Medicare pay for dental implants?
The original Medicare dental plan will not cover dental implants. And the plan won't cover routine dental services or dentures either.
If you have Medicare Advantage, some plans can cover fillings, root canals, dentures, and dental implants. But many of the plans limit your yearly coverage to around $1,000.
