Original Medicare does not cover the costs of dental care except in limited circumstances, including the cost of dental aids, such as dentures. However, Medicare Advantage plans may offer dental coverage.
Medicare is a federal insurance program that helps provide healthcare to people who are ages 65 years old and older. It is also available to younger individuals with disabilities or certain medical conditions, such as end stage renal disease (ESRD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The Medicare program has four parts:
- Part A hospital insurance
- Part B medical insurance
- Part C (Medicare Advantage), which offers an alternative to Original Medicare (parts A and B)
- Part D prescription drug insurance
Medicare negotiates prices with hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies.
Original Medicare plans do not include extra benefits, such as dental, vision, or hearing. However, many Medicare Advantage plans may offer these and other extra benefits.
This article discusses Medicare dental benefits, including coverage for dentures. It also examines costs and financial aid options.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Most Medicare dental coverage covers emergency dental services while a person is in the hospital. For example, someone with oral cancer may need dental extractions before an oral surgeon can remove a cancerous area.
Original Medicare does not cover:
- dental cleanings
- fillings
- plates
- dentures
- tooth extractions
However, although Original Medicare does not cover the cost of dentures, a person might get coverage through a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
Find out about Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional services, including dental, hearing, and vision coverage.
According to KFF, nearly 33 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2024, accounting for around 54% of the eligible Medicare population.
KFF also notes that around 14% of adults over 65 have no natural teeth. When KFF looked at various Medicare Advantage plans that include dental coverage, it found that 5 in 10 plans covered dentures. Additionally, most limited members to one set of dentures every five years.
That said, as of 2019, almost half of Medicare beneficiaries (47% or 24 million people) do not have dental coverage with their plans.
A few key points may indicate if a Medicare Advantage plan might offer coverage for dentures.
Preventive versus comprehensive
Preventive dental services focus on preventing dental issues before they begin. Comprehensive dental services can also diagnose and treat existing dental issues.
Preventive dental services include cleanings, fillings, and some extractions. Comprehensive services usually include more extensive dental work, such as partial or full dentures.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for preventive services only.
In-network versus out-of-network
Medicare Advantage plans often require a person to see dentists in the company’s network before the plan will pay. Individuals need to ensure their dental provider of choice is included in this provider network.
Co-pays and coinsurance
Some Medicare Advantage plans will pay for a portion of dental costs. When KFF looked into various plans in 2021, it found that cost-sharing varies among them. The shared cost ranges from a copayment of $0 to one of $500. Plans may also include coinsurance costs of 50% to 70%.
However, other plans may offer a maximum benefit, paying for all costs up to a certain amount.
Maximum benefit
Most Medicare Advantage plans will have a cap or maximum benefit of costs they will cover for dental services. For example, certain plans may have a cap that ranges from around $1,350 to over $2,500. It is important that a person checks with their plan of choice for the annual maximum amount paid.
According to KFF, the average annual limit for dental coverage in 2021 was $1,300.
Some companies may also limit how often they will pay for denture replacements. Because dentures can be expensive, it is important to consider the maximum benefit when selecting a plan.
Generally, Most Advantage plans do not cover the full cost of dentures. The amount a person’s plan will pay depends on the plan and the type of dentures.
Fixed dentures or implant-supported dentures, which are secured to surgically placed implants, typically cost more than dentures that can be removed, cleaned, and reinserted daily.
Full dentures replace all teeth in an upper or lower jaw, while partial dentures fill gaps of several missing teeth. Dentures can be also made from acrylic resin or porcelain, with porcelain being more durable and slightly pricier. Partial dentures may also include metal components. These factors can influence a person’s out-of-pocket cost after insurance kicks in.
The chart below shows some plan coverage and cost examples for 2025 for plans that include dental, per the Find a Medicare Plan tool.
| City, State | Plan name | Premium | Out of Pocket maximum | Denture coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, New Jersey | Aetna Medicare Eagle Premier (PPO) | $0 | $14,000 In and out-of-network $9,350 In-network | removable and fixed In-network: $0 copay Out-of-network: 50% coinsurance |
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | Senior Health Plan Silver (HMO) | $0 | $3,400 In-network | Removable In-network: 50% coinsurance |
| Washington D.C. | Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Value DC (HMO-POS) | $0 | $6,900 In-network | removable and fixed In-network: $0 copay Out-of-network: 50% coinsurance |
| San Diego, California | SCAN MyChoice (HMO) | $0 | $375 In-network | removable In-network: $13-$395 copay fixed In-network: $25-$395 copay |
How much do dentures cost for seniors on Medicare?
Private insurers manage Part C plans, which have different premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance depending on your plan. The plans featured above all have $0 premiums, but others may charge a premium.
According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17.00 in 2025.
In addition, to be enrolled in a Part C plan, a person usually still has to pay the Part B premium, which is $185 in 2025. That said, some Part C may cover your Part B premium.
There are other options a person may access to get dental coverage or reduced dental costs.
Nearby dental schools or clinics
Some dental schools or clinics have a prosthodontics department where students learn to fit dentures. These schools may offer discounted dentures or services in preparation for molding the dentures.
Stand-alone dental plans
Some health insurance companies offer stand-alone dental plans for older people. For a monthly premium, a person may get coverage similar to or greater than Medicare Advantage plans.
Discount dental plans
These plans come from organizations that make dentures or provide dental care. They have a network of providers through which a person can get discounted services for comprehensive dental needs, including dentures.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a state-based insurance plan for people on lower incomes. Some states also provide additional coverage for dental services, including dentures. However, these benefits vary by state.
While Original Medicare does not offer denture coverage, Medicare Advantage plans may help pay for the costs. However, even with maximum benefits, Medicare Advantage plans may not fully pay for dentures.
If a person does not get dental coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan, there are other options that may help with the cost of dentures.
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