Does Medicare Cover Dental? What Seniors Need to Know
Reviewed by Galit Sacajiu MD, MPH
One of the most common questions from Medicare beneficiaries is: does Medicare cover dental care? The short answer is: not much, but there are options.
What Original Medicare Does Not Cover
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. That includes exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, crowns, bridges, and implants. If you show up at a dentist and pay with only Original Medicare, you will pay the full bill yourself.
When Medicare Part A Does Cover Dental
Part A may cover dental work only when it is medically necessary as part of a covered inpatient hospital stay. The two most common examples are oral surgery required before a covered organ transplant, and jaw reconstruction after an injury treated as an inpatient. This is a narrow exception and does not apply to typical dental care.
Getting Dental Coverage Through Medicare Advantage
Most Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits, and this is the most practical way Medicare beneficiaries access dental coverage. Benefits vary widely by plan. Some cover only preventive care like cleanings and X-rays at no cost. Others include major dental work like crowns, root canals, or even implants, usually with annual benefit caps ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
Before enrolling in any Medicare Advantage plan, check the dental benefit section carefully. Look at the annual cap, what procedures are covered, and whether you need to use a specific dental network.
Standalone Dental Insurance
If you have Original Medicare and a Medigap supplement, you can buy a separate dental plan from a private insurer. Standalone dental plans for Medicare beneficiaries typically run $20 to $50 per month and cover preventive care and some basic restorative work.
See our [Medicare Advantage guide](/medicare-advantage) to compare plans with dental coverage in your area.