Dental & Vision Insurance Plans
Dental and vision insurance protects you from the costs that health insurance doesn’t cover — cleanings, fillings, crowns, eye exams, glasses, and contacts. FreedInsure offers individual dental insurance and vision plans with no waiting period options from top carriers like Ameritas, MetLife, Aetna, and Aflac. Plans start under $20/month.
Get a Free Dental & Vision Quote ↓What Does Dental & Vision Insurance Cover?
Dental insurance plans typically cover three categories of services at different reimbursement levels. Understanding these categories helps you choose the right plan for your needs.
Preventive Dental Care (Usually 100% Covered)
Most dental plans cover preventive services at 100% with no deductible: two cleanings per year, annual X-rays, oral exams, and fluoride treatments for children. Preventive care is the foundation of every dental plan because it catches problems early before they become expensive.
Basic Dental Services (70–80% Covered)
Basic services include fillings, simple extractions, root canals, and periodontal (gum) treatment. After your deductible, most plans cover 70–80% of the cost. A typical filling costs $150–$400 without insurance.
Major Dental Services (50% Covered)
Major services include crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, and oral surgery. Plans typically cover 50% after deductible. A single crown costs $800–$1,500 without insurance, making major services the primary financial justification for dental coverage.
Vision Insurance Coverage
Vision insurance covers annual eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and lens upgrades (anti-glare, progressive, photochromic). Most vision plans provide an annual allowance of $100–$200 for frames and an additional allowance for lenses or contacts. Vision insurance also covers early detection of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
Types of Dental Insurance Plans
There are three main types of dental insurance plans. FreedInsure helps you compare all three to find the best fit for your situation and budget.
PPO Dental Insurance
Most flexible. See any dentist — in-network or out-of-network. In-network dentists cost less, but you’re never restricted. Best for people who want to keep their current dentist. Carriers: Ameritas, MetLife, Aetna.
DHMO / Managed Care
Lowest premiums. You choose a primary dentist from a network. No deductibles, fixed copays for all services. Must get referrals for specialists. Best for people who want predictable, low costs.
Indemnity / Fee-for-Service
Maximum freedom. See any dentist with no network restrictions. You pay upfront and submit claims for reimbursement. Higher premiums but zero network limitations.
Dental Discount Plans
Not insurance — a membership that gives you 10–60% discounts at participating dentists. No deductibles, no waiting periods, no annual maximums. Good for people who need immediate dental work.
How Much Does Dental & Vision Insurance Cost?
Dental and vision insurance premiums depend on your age, location, plan type, and whether you’re covering an individual or a family. Here are typical monthly costs for individual dental insurance plans:
Dental Insurance Costs
Individual dental plans range from $15–$50/month depending on coverage level. DHMO plans start as low as $8–$15/month but restrict your dentist choice. PPO plans typically cost $25–$50/month but offer more flexibility and higher coverage limits. Most plans have an annual maximum benefit of $1,000–$2,500.
Vision Insurance Costs
Individual vision plans cost $5–$20/month. Most include one annual eye exam, a frame allowance ($100–$200), and contact lens coverage. Vision insurance typically pays for itself with a single eye exam and pair of glasses. Without insurance, an eye exam costs $75–$250 and glasses cost $200–$600.
Dental & Vision Bundle
Bundling dental and vision insurance saves 10–20% compared to buying separately. Most FreedInsure members choose a combined dental and vision plan for $25–$60/month. Call (844) 788-3733 for an exact quote based on your ZIP code.
Dental Insurance With No Waiting Period
One of the most common frustrations with dental insurance is waiting periods — the time between enrollment and when your coverage actually begins for certain services. Here’s how waiting periods work and how to avoid them.
Standard Waiting Periods
Most traditional dental plans impose waiting periods: 0 days for preventive care (cleanings, exams), 3–6 months for basic services (fillings, extractions), and 6–12 months for major services (crowns, bridges, dentures). This means you could pay premiums for a full year before coverage kicks in for the services you need most.
Plans With No Waiting Period
FreedInsure offers dental insurance with no waiting period through select carriers. These plans provide immediate coverage for all service categories — preventive, basic, and major — from day one. No waiting period plans cost slightly more per month but save significantly if you need dental work soon. Get a no-wait quote →
Do You Need Dental & Vision Insurance?
ACA health insurance plans cover medical, mental health, and prescriptions — but dental and vision are not included for adults. Children’s dental is covered under ACA, but adult dental and all vision coverage require a separate plan.
You Should Get Dental Insurance If:
You visit the dentist at least once a year (preventive coverage alone often exceeds premium cost). You have existing dental issues that need treatment. You have children who need orthodontic coverage (braces). You want to protect against unexpected dental costs — a single root canal and crown can cost $2,000–$3,000 without insurance.
You Should Get Vision Insurance If:
You wear glasses or contacts (annual allowance covers most of the cost). You haven’t had an eye exam in over a year. You have a family history of eye conditions. You work at a computer all day (digital eye strain is increasingly common). A single pair of prescription glasses costs $200–$600 without insurance.
Dental & Vision as Supplemental Coverage
Most FreedInsure members add dental and vision as supplemental coverage alongside their ACA or PPO health plan. The combined cost of health + dental + vision is still typically less than employer-sponsored coverage. See all supplemental options →
Dental & Vision Insurance Carriers
FreedInsure partners with 8+ dental and vision carriers to offer plans in every state we serve. Your licensed advisor compares every option and finds the best plan for your specific needs — at no cost to you.
Ameritas
PPO and DHMO dental plans with nationwide networks. Known for no waiting period options and high annual maximums. Vision plans include generous frame and contact lens allowances.
MetLife
One of the largest dental networks in the U.S. PPO plans with low deductibles and high coverage percentages. Preferred pricing at over 200,000 dental locations.
Aetna
Comprehensive dental and vision bundles with extensive PPO networks. Offers plans with no waiting periods for preventive and basic services. Negotiated rates for major services.
Aflac
Supplemental dental and vision plans that pay cash directly to you regardless of other coverage. No network restrictions — see any dentist or eye doctor.
Solstice
Affordable dental HMO and PPO plans concentrated in Florida, Texas, and Southeast states. Known for low premiums and straightforward plan designs.
NCD Essentials
Budget-friendly dental discount and insurance hybrid plans. No waiting periods and no annual maximums on discount plans. Immediate savings on all dental services.
Additional carriers include Allstate Benefits and United Health One. Your advisor matches you with the carrier that offers the best network coverage and pricing in your ZIP code.
Dental Procedures: Insured vs. Uninsured Cost
| Procedure | Without Insurance | With Insurance | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning + Exam | $150–$350 | $0 (preventive) | 100% |
| Filling (composite) | $150–$400 | $30–$120 | 70–80% |
| Root Canal | $700–$1,500 | $140–$450 | 70–80% |
| Crown | $800–$1,500 | $400–$750 | 50% |
| Dentures (complete) | $1,500–$3,000 | $750–$1,500 | 50% |
| Eye Exam | $75–$250 | $0–$25 copay | 80–100% |
| Glasses (frames + lenses) | $200–$600 | $50–$150 | 60–80% |
| Contact Lenses (annual) | $200–$500 | $0–$100 | 60–80% |
Who Should Read This
🦷 PPO Dental Plans
See any dentist — in-network savings, out-of-network freedom. Preventive care covered 100%. Plans from Ameritas, MetLife, Aetna.
👓 Vision Insurance
Annual eye exams, glasses, contacts, and lens upgrades. $100–$200 frame allowance. Glaucoma and retina screenings included.
💰 No Waiting Period
Select plans with zero waiting period — coverage for fillings, crowns, and major work starts day one.
📋 Bundle & Save
Combine dental + vision for 10–20% savings. Most members pay $25–$60/month for both. Get a quote →
Frequently Asked Questions
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Plans from Ameritas, MetLife, Aetna, Aflac, and more. No waiting period options available. Licensed advisor, zero cost.
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Dental & Vision Insurance — From $20/Month
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