Best Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare in Texas
If you’re on Medicare in Texas, there’s one gap in coverage that catches a lot of people off guard: dental care.
Original Medicare doesn’t pay for cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, or even routine exams. That means if you don’t have a dental plan, you could be stuck paying the full cost out of pocket - and in Texas, that can add up fast.
Texas is home to more than 4 million Medicare beneficiaries, and oral health needs don’t stop at retirement.
In fact, many older Texans face higher dental bills as they age - from root canals and crowns to implants and dentures. Without coverage, those expenses can easily reach thousands of dollars.
The good news? The right dental insurance plan can protect your budget and help you keep your smile healthy for years to come.
Whether you’re in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, or out in the Hill Country, there are solid options that provide strong benefits, wide provider networks, and affordable premiums.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best dental insurance choices for Texas seniors in 2025, highlight what to look for in a plan, and share our top dental provider picks - including trusted names like Delta Dental, Ameritas, Humana, and Guardian.
Our goal is simple: help you find a plan that fits your needs, your budget, and the way you live.
What Type of Dental Insurance Can Medicare Beneficiaries Get in Texas?
If you have Medicare in Texas, you still have several ways to get dental coverage - even though Original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental care.
The best option for you will depend on your budget, the type of dental work you expect to need, and whether you want to stick with your current dentist.
Option 1: Stand-Alone Dental Insurance Plans
These are separate dental policies you can buy directly from an insurance company. They’re popular with Texas seniors because they work alongside your Medicare coverage, and you can often choose from a large network of dentists statewide.
Common features include:
- Preventive services (cleanings, exams, X-rays) often covered at 100%
- Coverage for fillings, crowns, dentures, and sometimes implants
- Annual benefit maximums, typically $1,000–$2,000 per year
- Waiting periods for major services with many plans.
Examples in Texas: Ameritas, Delta Dental, Cigna, Humana.
Option 2: Medicare Advantage Plans with Dental Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans in Texas include some dental coverage, but it’s usually limited.
Benefits may focus on preventive care, with caps on more expensive procedures.
- Pros: Can be bundled with your medical, vision, and prescription coverage
- Cons: Dental networks are often smaller, and benefits can change each year
Note: Annual dental benefit limits vary widely - some as low as $500.
Option 3: Bundled Plans from Private Insurers in Texas
A few insurers in Texas - including Humana and Aetna - let you bundle dental, vision, and even hearing coverage into one convenient policy.
These bundled plans are especially attractive for retirees who want to streamline their insurance, avoid juggling multiple policies, and cover several needs at once.
In Texas, you can get these bundles whether you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan or you have Original Medicare and simply want to add extra coverage on the side.
Just remember: Without a separate dental policy (or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental), you’ll be paying out of pocket for most services.
And even when bundled, benefits can still be capped or limited, so it’s important to read the fine print before enrolling.
Top 3 Dental Insurance Providers for Texas Seniors in 2025
Choosing dental insurance in retirement isn’t just about finding the cheapest premium - it’s about making sure you’ll actually get the care you need without big surprises.
In Texas, seniors on Medicare have access to some excellent stand-alone dental plans that can cover everything from preventive checkups to major restorative work.
We’ve worked with countless Texans to review their dental coverage, and we’ve narrowed the field to three carriers that stand out for their network size, benefit depth, plan flexibility, and stability.
Below, we break down what each offers, what makes them different, and how to decide which is right for you.
Delta Dental
Why Texans pick it:
- One of the broadest networks in the state; PPO and DHMO (DeltaCare USA) options let you choose between flexibility and lower, fixed copays.
- Preventive care is typically covered at 100% on PPO plans (exams, cleanings, bitewings, fluoride/sealants for kids).
Plan lineup and limits:
- DPO Premium (PPO): Annual max $2,000; deductible $50 (basic/major); waiting periods 6 months (Type 2) and 12 months (Type 3). Sample monthly premium is $46.48.
- DPO Basic (PPO): Annual max $1,000; no waiting periods listed in the brochure table; sample premium is $21.91.
- DeltaCare USA TX A70 (DHMO/DPO): No annual maximum; fixed copays for many services (e.g., endodontics $240–$400 copay; crowns $125–$495 copay, dentures $495 copay); sample premium is $12.50.
Coverage examples:
- PPO “major” typically 50% after waits (crowns/bridges/dentures), while fillings can run 80% (DPO Premium) or 50% (DPO Basic). DHMO uses fixed copays instead.
- The brochure’s savings example shows a crown’s average charge $1,117 vs. network rate $748; a member on day-one costs $635 on the sampled PPO, improving in year two. (Actual benefits vary by plan.)
Network callouts:
- Marketing materials note 400,000+ access points and 100,000+ unique providers nationwide; high provider persistency. (Always verify your dentist’s participation.)
Best for: Texans who want lots of in-network choices, straightforward preventive coverage at 100%, and the option to choose PPO vs. DHMO based on preference for flexibility vs. fixed copays.
Ameritas Dental Insurance
Why Texans pick it:
- No waiting periods highlighted across the Advantage/Advantage Plus plan tables; immediate preventive coverage at 100%.
- Large network (over 400,000 access points and 100,000+ unique providers), with an average 31% network discount and 94% provider persistency.
Plan lineup and limits:
- Advantage Network and Advantage (PPO): Choose $1,000 or $2,000 annual max; $50 deductible (basic/major). Preventive 100% from day one; basic/major start lower (e.g., 15%) and step up to 50% after year one on Advantage; Advantage Plus starts higher (50% day one; 80% after year one for many basic services).
- Advantage Plus tiers can include orthodontics and implants, with higher coverage levels and annual maximum options (up to $2,500).
- Sample monthly pricing shown further down this page (e.g., $28.70 to $56.28 depending on plan and max - varies by ZIP and age).
Network callouts:
- Members can see any dentist but generally pay less in-network; Advantage Plus is better for frequent out-of-network use; Advantage Network is cheaper if your dentist is in-network.
Best for: Texans who want immediate preventive care, high annual maximums (up to $2,500), and strong options for major work (crowns, implants, dentures) - without giving up the flexibility to see non-network dentists.
Guardian Dental Insurance
Why Texans pick it:
- Tiered lineup (Diamond, Premier, Achiever, Core, Starter) with robust basic coverage from day one and well-defined waits for major services.
- Diamond stands out with: 80% basic coverage on day one, 50% major, 50% implants, and 50% teeth whitening (rare benefit) with a $500 whitening cap and 6-month wait; annual max $1,500.
- Premier raises the annual max to $3,000 with strong basic/major reimbursement levels (waits still apply for major). Achiever and Core use step-up annual maximums over years 1–3, and Starter is preventive/basic-only.
Plan lineup and limits:
- Diamond: Annual max $1,500; preventive at 100%, basic at 80% from day one, major at 50% after a 6-month wait. Also includes 50% implant coverage and a rare 50% teeth whitening benefit (up to $500 cap).
- Premier: Annual max up to $3,000; strong reimbursement levels for basic/major after waiting periods.
- Achiever/Core: Step-up annual maximums over years 1–3 with increasing reimbursement levels.
- Starter: Preventive and basic coverage only, lower premiums.
Coverage examples:
- A Diamond plan member could see an immediate 80% basic coverage benefit for fillings, while crowns are covered at 50% after the 6-month wait.
- With Preventive Advantage, cleanings and exams do not count toward the annual maximum, preserving benefits for more costly procedures.
Extra features:
- Diminishing deductible (can drop to $0 after 3 years).
- Maximum Rollover for unused annual benefits.
- Teledentistry access.
- Pediatric benefits under Early Smiles on certain plans.
Network callouts:
- Large national PPO network; members can see any dentist but pay less in-network.
Best for: Texans wanting rich day-one coverage (Diamond), higher annual maxes (Premier), or plans that increase benefits over time (Achiever/Core), with a stable national brand and extra perks like whitening and rollover benefits.
Humana Dental
Why Texans pick it:
Humana Dental is widely recognized for its broad network, flexible plan designs, and the ability to bundle dental with vision and hearing coverage.
Its plans cater to both budget-minded seniors and those seeking comprehensive protection.
Plan lineup and limits:
- Preventive Value Plan ($18–$23/month): No annual max; preventive services covered at 100% in-network; basic at 50% with no waits.
- Loyalty Plus Plan ($47/month + $35 enrollment fee): Annual max grows from $1,000 to $1,500 over three years; basic coverage increases from 40% to 70%; major from 20% to 50%.
- Complete Dental: $1,250 year-one max; $1,500 year two; preventive 100%, basic 80% after 6 months, major 50% after 12 months.
- Extend 2500 (Bundle): $2,500 combined max (dental/vision/hearing); includes $1,000 annual implant coverage and $100 whitening allowance.
Coverage examples:
- Preventive Value covers two cleanings and exams per year at no cost in-network.
- Extend 2500 plan members needing implants get 50% coverage up to the $1,000 annual limit after the wait.
Extra features:
- Some plans have lifetime deductibles rather than annual.
- DHMO and PPO options available.
Network callouts:
- 290,000+ dentists nationwide; strong Texas representation.
Best for: Texans who want flexible coverage options, bundle opportunities, and benefits that grow over time - without sacrificing network size or preventive coverage.
Plan Comparison Table
When it comes to dental insurance for seniors in Texas, the details matter.
Premiums, coverage percentages, and waiting periods can vary greatly between carriers - and those small differences can add up to big savings (or big bills) over time.
Below, we’ve put together a side-by-side look at three of the most reputable dental insurers in Texas - Delta Dental, Ameritas, and Guardian - so you can quickly see how they stack up in cost, coverage, and special features.
This makes it easier to spot which plan fits your budget and your dental care needs.
How to Save on Dental Care in Texas
Good dental coverage is important - but how you use your plan can be just as critical in keeping costs down.
Many Texans don’t realize there are simple strategies that can shave hundreds of dollars off annual dental expenses without sacrificing quality of care.
#1. Take Advantage of Household Discounts: Some insurers offer percentage-based discounts when two or more people in the same household enroll.
This can be an easy way for couples or family members to save money without changing coverage levels.
#2. Stick With In-Network Providers: In-network dentists have agreed to negotiated rates, which are often significantly lower than out-of-network fees.
Staying in-network can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket costs - especially for major services like crowns, bridges, or implants.
#3. Bundle Your Coverage: Many carriers in Texas allow you to combine dental insurance with vision, hearing, or even life insurance.
Bundling not only simplifies billing and administration but can also unlock multi-policy discounts, reducing your overall premium costs.
By being strategic with these approaches, Texas seniors can maximize their dental benefits and stretch their coverage further each year.
Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Dental Plan in Texas
For Texas seniors on Medicare, having a reliable dental insurance plan isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s essential for maintaining long-term oral and overall health.
The right plan can mean the difference between affordable preventive care and unexpected bills that run into the thousands.
Delta Dental, Ameritas, and Guardian all offer strong choices, each with unique strengths - from expansive provider networks to generous annual maximums and bundled coverage options.
The best fit comes down to your priorities: whether that’s nationwide access, high coverage for major procedures, or balancing cost with comprehensive benefits.
Our advice? Don’t just pick the cheapest premium on paper.
Look at the full picture - coverage levels, waiting periods, network size, and customer service track record.
And if you’re unsure, speak with a licensed Texas agent who can compare your options side-by-side and guide you toward the plan that protects your smile and your budget.
FAQs
No. Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn’t cover routine dental care, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, or implants. Without a separate dental policy, you’ll pay the full cost out-of-pocket.
Yes. Texas seniors can purchase stand-alone dental plans from private insurers or get dental benefits through certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Stand-alone plans often provide broader benefits and more predictable coverage for major work.
Look for plans with short or no waiting periods for major services. Ameritas and Guardian both have options that reduce or waive waiting times for certain procedures, especially if you had prior coverage.
Yes. Some carriers in Texas, such as Delta Dental and Ameritas, offer plans with no waiting period for preventive and basic services, and in some cases for major services if you meet eligibility criteria.
Yes. Many insurers, including Guardian and Ameritas, allow you to combine dental, vision, and hearing coverage into one plan - simplifying your insurance and often reducing costs.
With nearly 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Matt Kiggins is the Senior Editor at Texas Insurance Guide and a seasoned Health & Life Agent licensed in multiple states, including Texas (#1585860). He is also the co-founder of Policy Guide, a respected insurance agency based in Pensacola, FL. Matt has built his career on one simple principle: people deserve clear, honest guidance when making some of life’s most important healthcare decisions.
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