If you have Original Medicare, the simple answer is usually no. Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental care that’s primarily for the health of your teeth. This means dental exams, cleanings, fillings, root canals, dentures and extractions are generally not covered. However, Original Medicare offers limited coverage for certain dental services when they’re directly tied to a hospital stay or major medical procedure.
There are options for Medicare beneficiaries to get additional dental coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap plans offer it. You can also buy a separate, stand-alone dental insurance plan.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental care
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover most dental care. If your dental treatment requires a hospital stay, Medicare Part A will cover your hospital stay but usually not the dental care itself.
Say you have a severe heart condition or bleeding disorder that makes dental work risky. You might need to get the dental procedure done in a hospital where they can monitor you overnight. In this case, Medicare would cover the hospital stay but not the dental work.
Medicare Part B does cover some dental services when they’re directly tied to the success of specific medical treatments. Though expanded in recent years, this coverage is still limited to a handful of specific situations.
Some dental services Medicare covers include:
- Reconstruction of your jaw after an accidental injury.
- Tooth extractions required before radiation treatment involving the jaw.
- Oral exams and services before certain procedures, if linked to their success. (Some procedures include kidney transplants, heart valve replacements and cancer treatment.)
- Dental complications that arise after head and neck cancer treatment.
- Dental care to treat or prevent mouth infections if you get Medicare-covered dialysis for kidney failure.
Say you have a kidney transplant coming up. You may need to get a dental exam first, as oral infections can lead to complications during and after surgery. If you do have an oral infection, you’ll need treatment before your transplant. Medicare would cover both the exam and the treatment.
Shopping for Medicare plans? We have you covered.
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to traditional Medicare offered by private health insurers. It covers the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B.
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Medicare Advantage covers some dental care
Unlike Original Medicare, nearly all Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage. Over 98% of individual plans have dental benefits in 2026, according to KFF, a health policy nonprofit.
Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is an alternative to Original Medicare. It’s sold by private health insurance companies that Medicare approves.
The dental benefits that come with Medicare Advantage may not cover as much as you think. Some plans only cover preventive care like exams and cleanings. Others pay a percentage for procedures like fillings, root canals, crowns and extractions. Plans also cap how much they'll pay out each year, often at around $1,000 to $2,000.
Coverage, provider networks and out-of-pocket costs vary a lot between Medicare Advantage plans. If you have specific dental coverage needs, make sure the plan you’re considering meets them.
Most Medigap plans don’t cover dental care
The vast majority of Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Insurance, plans don’t cover routine dental care. But a small percentage of them offer some vision, hearing and dental coverage. This might come in the form of a coverage add-on and not something covered under the standard plan.
How to get dental coverage outside of Medicare
You don’t have to go through Medicare to get dental coverage. You can enroll in separate dental insurance coverage. Major insurers like Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna offer dental plans. AARP offers member plans through Delta Dental.
These insurance plans operate like other insurance you may have had. You pay a monthly premium and have access to various in-network dentists for care. Depending on the plan, you may be able to go out-of-network for a higher fee.
Other coverage options include:
- A dental discount plan. This is like joining a discount club (like Costco, for instance). You pay a fee to get access to a group of dentists that offer you a discounted rate.
- Your partner’s dental coverage. If your spouse or partner has a dental plan through a job, union or veterans program, you may be able to join it.
- Your employer’s dental coverage. If you’re still working and your employer offers dental benefits, you can enroll in that plan.
Nerdy Perspective
Is dental insurance for seniors worth it?
Even separate dental insurance plans can be limited in their coverage, so they might not be worth it. Many seniors choose to pay for dental care out of pocket for this reason. But if you’re already considering Medicare Advantage, choosing a plan with strong dental benefits can help you save money — often at no extra cost. I wouldn’t choose a plan based on this perk alone, but it’s worth weighing alongside other benefits. The best Medicare Advantage dental plans also have solid medical coverage, low premiums and high quality ratings.
How to get a Medicare Advantage dental plan
If you want to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that comes with dental coverage, you have three chances to enroll:
- During your initial enrollment period for Medicare. This is usually the seven-month period that includes three months before the month you turn 65, the month you turn 65 and the three months after.
- During the Medicare open enrollment period that happens each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
- During a special enrollment period, if you qualify because of specific life-changing events.
Browse Medicare Advantage plans in your state
Get more information about the Medicare Advantage plans available in your area. Click on a state on the map below to see the best Medicare Advantage plans available in that state.
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- 1.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Dental Coverage. Accessed Aug 10, 2026.
- 2.KFF. Medicare Advantage 2026 Spotlight. Accessed Aug 10, 2026.
- 3.KFF. Key Facts About Medigap Enrollment and Premiums for Medicare Beneficiaries. Accessed Aug 11, 2026.
