Getting dental insurance can be confusing with so many options to choose from. Four of the top dental insurance providers are Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and MetLife. Each offers different plan options and benefits to meet various needs and budgets.
This guide provides an in-depth comparison of aetna and delta and guardian and metlife dental insurance highlighting the key similarities and differences to help you determine the best choice.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Features | Aetna | Delta Dental | Guardian | MetLife |
| Network Size | 161,000 dentists | 154,000 PPO <br> 413,000 Premier | 113,000 | 112,000 |
| Plan Types | PPO, HMO | PPO, HMO | PPO | PPO |
| Preventive Coverage | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Deductible | $50 – $100 | $75 – $200 | $50 – $100 | $50 – $100 |
| Annual Maximum | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| Waiting Periods | May have | None | None | May have (timely enrollees waived) |
| Orthodontic Coverage | Yes, no age limits | Yes, no age limits | Yes, no age limits | Yes, no age limits |
| Discounts | Cosmetic dentistry | None | None | None |
| Monthly Premiums | $$ | $ – $$ | $ | $ – $$ |
Overview Of Dental Insurance Plans
Dental insurance helps lower your costs for preventive, basic, and major dental care. Most plans provide coverage for cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, crowns, braces, and more. The level of coverage depends on the type of plan you select. The main types of dental plans include:
- Dental health maintenance organizations (DHMO): This plan requires you to see dentists in the plan’s network. Office visit copays are very low or free, but the plan covers less of the cost for major work.
- Dental preferred provider organizations (DPPO): You can see any dentist but will pay less if you choose an in-network provider. The plan pays a percentage for preventive, basic, and major services after you meet a deductible.
- Dental indemnity plans: These “fee-for-service” plans reimburse you a set amount for dental services. You can see any provider. Plans pay more for preventive care and less for major work.
When deciding on insurance, check what percentage the plan covers for different services, the deductible amount, and the yearly maximum benefit limit. You’ll also want to look at the monthly premiums and office visit copays or coinsurance.
Aetna Dental Benefits And Offerings
Aetna provides dental insurance coverage as an add-on to certain health insurance plans or as stand-alone dental policies. Key highlights of Aetna dental plans include:
- Large national network: Access over 161,000 dentists at over 477,000 locations. Networks include Delta Dental and Aetna Dental Access.
- 100% preventive coverage: Plans pay for your full preventive costs including routine exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride without needing to meet the deductible.
- Deductible waived for diagnostic: You pay a lower fee or nothing for basic services like fillings before meeting the deductible.
- Orthodontic coverage: Many plans cover braces for children and adults with no age limits or waiting periods.
- International Emergency Dental Program: Get emergency dental care while traveling from in-network dentists abroad.
- Discounts on cosmetic dentistry: Save 15% to 50% on teeth whitening, veneers, bonding and more on certain plans.
- Aetna Mobile app: Search providers, view ID cards, see claims and more from your phone.
Aetna is one of the more affordable choices for individual dental insurance. Monthly premiums often start under $30. Most plans have an annual limit of $1,000 to $1,500 and an annual deductible between $50 and $100.
Delta Dental Highlights
Delta Dental is one of the largest dental insurance providers in the U.S. Here are some of the key features of Delta Dental plans:
- Two extensive network options: Access over 154,000 dentists through the Delta Dental PPO and over 413,000 through Delta Dental Premier.
- No ID card required: Just provide your SSN at appointments. Delta has the largest dental networks so most dentists can look up your coverage.
- Cut Costs with a Delta Dental PPO Dentist: See the biggest savings by choosing a PPO in-network dentist. Premier dentists offer lower costs than out-of-network too.
- No waiting periods: Get coverage immediately with no waiting periods for basic or major services.
- Rollover Max: Roll over a portion of your unused annual maximum benefit to increase your coverage next year.
- Accidental Dental Injury Benefit: Plans cover dental care needed within 72 hours of an accident regardless of deductibles or annual maximums.
- Orthodontic coverage: Many plans include braces for children and adults.
Delta Dental individual plans range in price based on your location and deductible. Premiums often start around $20 monthly with $75 to $200 deductibles and $1,000 to $1,500 annual maximum benefits.
Also Read: Is Delta Dental Better Than Guardian Dental?
Guardian Dental Plan Options
Guardian offers dental insurance on its own or paired with vision and life insurance. Here’s an overview of Guardian dental plans:
- Freedom to choose any dentist: See any provider and get coverage but save most with an in-network dentist. The dental network has over 113,000 locations.
- No waiting periods: Get coverage for preventive, basic, and major services from day one.
- Rollover Maximum: Accumulate part of your unused annual maximum to raise your benefit limit next year.
- Deductible waived for preventive services: Your plan covers your cleanings, exams, x-rays and more at no cost without meeting the deductible first.
- Covered Family discount: Get 5% off monthly premiums when at least 3 family members enroll.
- Orthodontia coverage: Plans cover braces for children and adults with low copays or coinsurance.
- Implant coverage: Many plans help cover the cost of dental implants to replace missing teeth.
Guardian dental insurance rates are very affordable. Premiums start around $15 monthly for preventive care coverage and under $30 for plans with basic and major services.
Metlife Dental Benefits Review
MetLife provides dental benefits both as add-ons to other MetLife insurance policies and as separate dental insurance plans. Here are some of the advantages of MetLife dental insurance:
- Large PDP Plus network: Access over 112,000 dentists at over 256,000 locations in the U.S.
- 100% coverage for preventive services: Plans cover routine cleanings, oral exams, x-rays, and more at no cost to you.
- Deductible waived for diagnostic and preventive care: You pay less out-of-pocket for basic services before meeting your deductible.
- No waiting periods for timely enrollees: If you sign up within 31 days of losing prior dental coverage you avoid waiting periods.
- Out-of-country emergency dental program: Provides coverage for emergency dental treatment while traveling abroad.
- Bundling opportunities: Pair dental with vision, life, disability, or other insurance for potential discounts.
- Orthodontic benefits: Many plans include braces coverage for children and adults with no age limits.
Monthly premiums for MetLife dental insurance are very reasonable. Rates start around $20 for preventive coverage and $30 monthly for plans with basic and major services included.
Also Read: Choose Between MetLife And Aflac.
Comparison Of Key Factors
When choosing between Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and MetLife for dental insurance, here are some key factors to compare:
- Monthly Premiums: All four carriers offer affordable rates that start around $15 to $30 monthly for comprehensive coverage. Delta Dental and Guardian may have the lowest premiums in some areas.
- Dental Networks: Delta Dental has the largest network with over 154,000 PPO dentists. MetLife and Aetna also have over 100,000 providers nationally. Guardian has the smallest network but still over 113,000 dental locations.
- Deductibles: You’ll typically find deductibles between $50 and $100 for basic/major services. Some plans have options for higher deductibles at lower monthly costs.
- Annual Maximums: Most individual dental plans have annual limits between $1,000 and $1,500. Maximums can go up to $2,500 with some carriers.
- Waiting Periods: Delta Dental, Guardian, and MetLife feature no waiting periods for timely enrollees. Only Aetna may impose short waiting periods.
- Orthodontic Coverage: All four insurers offer adult and child orthodontic coverage on many plans without age limits or waiting periods.
- Discount Dental Plans: Aetna, MetLife and Guardian provide discounts on cosmetic dentistry and other non-covered services which can provide additional savings.
No matter which carrier you choose, following preventive care recommendations, choosing network dentists, and shopping around for the best rates will help you maximize your dental benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The best dental insurance depends on your specific needs and budget. But a few top options for comprehensive coverage include:
Delta Dental Premier – Large national network and 100% preventive coverage.
Aetna Dental PPO – Covers orthodontics and offers discounts on cosmetic dentistry.
MetLife PDP Plus – Waives deductible for preventive and diagnostic services.
Guardian Managed DentalCare – No waiting periods and covers dental implants.
No. Guardian and Delta Dental are two separate companies offering individual dental insurance. Delta Dental is the larger insurer while Guardian focuses more on life and health insurance.
Both offer affordable plans with similar coverage. Guardian has smaller dental networks while Delta gives access to over 400,000 providers nationwide.
The main differences between MetLife and Delta Dental insurance are:
Networks – Delta has larger national networks. MetLife still provides access to over 100,000 dentists.
Plan types – Delta offers both PPO and HMO. MetLife has PPO plans.
Brand recognition – More dentists are familiar with Delta Dental.
Waiting periods – Delta waives waiting periods while MetLife may impose them.
Maximum rollover – Only Delta carries over part of your unused annual maximum.
Premiums – Delta tends to have slightly lower monthly premium costs.
Both are reputable insurers that provide quality dental benefits at affordable rates.
Also Read: Choose Between CareFirst And UnitedHealthcare.
The Bottom Line
When choosing between top insurers Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and MetLife, look at monthly costs, coverage details, and provider networks to find the right dental benefits for your needs and budget. Comparing plans side by side can help you determine the best dental insurance option. Focus on preventive care and yearly cleanings to maximize your benefits.