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The short answer
The best dental insurance for braces depends on who needs treatment, where you live, and when treatment will start. There is no single winner for every state and age. A plan that pays well for a teenager may exclude adults, and a plan with no waiting period may still pay less in its first year.
Our recommended starting places:
- Cigna Dental 1500: best starting point for individual-plan shoppers.
- DeltaCare USA (individual DHMO): best to investigate for predictable copays.
- Ameritas PrimeStar Care Boost: best child-focused PPO option to investigate.
- MetLife FEDVIP High Option: best to compare if you qualify for FEDVIP.
Always check the exact policy or certificate for your state. Verify adult or child eligibility, the network, timing, the benefit cap, and how treatment already in progress is handled. This is an informational comparison, not a quote or a coverage determination.
Comparison table
Eligibility first: MetLife FEDVIP is restricted to eligible federal and uniformed-service-related enrollees, DeltaCare USA's individual plan is listed only in certain states, and the Ameritas example is child-only. Scroll the table sideways on small screens.
| Option | Best fit | Adult / child eligibility | Ortho maximum or copay | Waiting / timing | Major caveat | See plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cigna Dental 1500 | People buying their own dental plan who want a clearly stated, separate orthodontic benefit | Adult eligibility: confirm in your state policy | $1,000 orthodontia lifetime maximum (separate from $1,500 general benefit) | Confirm orthodontic waiting period in state policy; general waiver does not apply | Prior-coverage waiver does not apply to orthodontic waiting periods | Cigna ↗ |
| 2. DeltaCare USA (individual DHMO) | Shoppers in listed states comfortable using a selected network dentist | Adult and child orthodontia listed; confirm your state schedule | State-specific orthodontic copay; verify schedule | No waiting periods stated; effective date and authorization still apply | Individual offering listed only in CA, FL, MD, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT and DC | Delta Dental ↗ |
| 3. Ameritas PrimeStar Care Boost | Parents shopping for a child under 19 who prefer a PPO | Child orthodontia only (under 19); not adult braces | 2026 base-plan example; state versions vary: $1,000 lifetime max | No waiting periods, but stepped: 15% day one, 50% after year one | Availability by ZIP; your state plan may differ from the base example | Ameritas ↗ |
| 4. MetLife FEDVIP High Option | Eligible federal and uniformed-service-related enrollees | Restricted: FEDVIP-eligible only. Adults and eligible children | 2026 example: $3,000 adult / $3,500 eligible child lifetime max; member pays 50% of allowance in-network, subject to caps and terms | Check enrollment-year brochure | Not a public plan; confirm eligibility on the official site or BENEFEDS | MetLife ↗ |
Ameritas figures: 2026 base-plan example; state versions vary. MetLife figures: 2026 benefit example; confirm your enrollment year's brochure. Premiums require a personal quote. Reviewed October 16, 2026.
Best starting point for individual-plan shoppers
Cigna Dental 1500
Carrier: Cigna · Availability and terms vary by state
Verified facts
Public plan page reviewed Oct 16, 2026
- Orthodontia lifetime maximum listed at $1,000, separate from the plan's $1,500 general dental benefit.
- Braces and Invisalign are mentioned; no referrals are required.
- Orthodontic waiting periods are not eligible for the plan's general prior-coverage waiver.
- Premium: quote required. Waiting period length and adult eligibility: check your state policy.
Sources: Cigna Dental 1500 plan page
If you are buying coverage on your own, without an employer plan, Cigna Dental 1500 is a sensible first page to open because it states its orthodontic benefit plainly. The public plan page lists a $1,000 orthodontia lifetime maximum that sits apart from the $1,500 general dental benefit. The page identifies a separate orthodontic lifetime maximum; confirm how the policy coordinates these limits.
That separation is useful, but $1,000 is a ceiling, not an estimate. On a full course of treatment it may cover only a modest slice of the total fee. The bigger question is timing. Cigna notes that its waiver for prior coverage does not apply to orthodontic waiting periods, so having had dental insurance before does not shorten the wait for braces benefits.
Before you apply, open the policy for your state and confirm whether adults qualify for orthodontia, how long the orthodontic waiting period runs, and how treatment that has already started is handled. Ask for a personal quote rather than relying on any average price you see online.
Pros
- Orthodontic maximum is separate from the general annual benefit
- Braces and Invisalign both mentioned on the plan page
- No referrals required
Cons
- $1,000 lifetime cap is modest relative to typical treatment fees
- Prior coverage does not waive the orthodontic wait
- Adult eligibility and wait length depend on your state policy
- Good fit if
- you are planning treatment months ahead and want a simple, separate orthodontic bucket.
- Look elsewhere if
- you need braces benefits soon, or treatment is already underway.
Best to investigate for predictable copays
DeltaCare USA (individual DHMO)
Carrier: Delta Dental · CA, FL, MD, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT and DC (per official page)
Verified facts
Official page reviewed Oct 16, 2026
- Official page states no waiting periods, deductibles or annual maximums.
- You select a DeltaCare USA network general dentist, and specialist care is coordinated through the network.
- Adult and child orthodontia are listed; your state's copay schedule controls what you pay.
- This individual offering is listed for CA, FL, MD, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT and DC only.
Sources: DeltaCare USA individual plan page
DeltaCare USA is a DHMO, which works differently from a PPO. Instead of the plan paying a percentage up to a cap, you generally pay set copayments from a schedule, and you use a network general dentist you select who coordinates specialist care such as orthodontics.
Delta Dental's page for the individual plan says there are no waiting periods, deductibles or annual maximums, and it lists orthodontia for both adults and children. That combination can make costs easier to forecast, which is why we rank it as the option to investigate for predictable copays. It is not free orthodontia. Your share comes from a state-specific schedule, so ask for the exact schedule for your state.
Two limits matter. This individual offering is listed only in a handful of states plus DC, and it is not the same product as a Delta Dental PPO. Also, no waiting period does not mean coverage starts the moment you apply, or that no authorization is needed.
Note: In Florida and Texas, the orthodontic copayment is specified as 75% of the contracted orthodontist's filed fees. Check your own state schedule.
Pros
- No waiting periods, deductibles or annual maximums stated
- Adult and child orthodontia both listed
- Copay schedule can make budgeting more predictable
Cons
- Individual offering limited to listed states and DC
- Must use selected network dentist and coordinated specialists
- Your orthodontic share depends on the state schedule
- Good fit if
- you live in a listed state and an in-network orthodontist works for you.
- Look elsewhere if
- you want to keep a specific out-of-network orthodontist.
Best child-focused PPO option to investigate
Ameritas PrimeStar Care Boost
Carrier: Ameritas · By ZIP code; not available in every state
Verified facts
2026 base-plan example, effective April 1, 2026; state versions vary
- 2026 base-plan example; state versions vary (effective April 1, 2026).
- Child orthodontia for members under 19, with a $1,000 lifetime maximum.
- Plan pays 15% from day one, rising to 50% after year one.
- No waiting periods, but benefits are stepped. Availability depends on ZIP code.
Sources: Ameritas individual plans · Ameritas 2026 Product Handbook (PDF), page 5
Families shopping for a child's braces should look closely at Ameritas PrimeStar Care Boost. In the 2026 product handbook's base plan, child orthodontia is included for members under 19, with a $1,000 lifetime maximum and no waiting periods.
The catch is the stepped benefit. The plan pays 15% in the first year and 50% after year one. So no waiting period does not mean the full 50% share is available on day one. If your orthodontist expects to start soon, ask how the step-up applies to a treatment plan that spans both periods, and whether benefit payments are spread out over the course of treatment.
This is not an adult braces option, and the figures above come from a base-plan example; the version sold in your state may differ. Ameritas shows availability by ZIP code, and enrollment paths can vary by state, so confirm the exact plan document for your state before you commit.
Pros
- No waiting periods in the 2026 base-plan example
- PPO structure with child orthodontia included
- Clear stepped schedule you can plan around
Cons
- Only 15% in the first year under the base example
- No adult orthodontia
- State versions and availability vary
- Good fit if
- your child's treatment can begin after the first plan year, or you can wait for the step-up.
- Look elsewhere if
- the patient is 19 or older, or treatment must start right away.
Best to compare if you qualify for FEDVIP
MetLife FEDVIP High Option
Carrier: MetLife · FEDVIP-eligible populations only
Verified facts
2026 benefit example; confirm your enrollment year's brochure
- Restricted eligibility: FEDVIP is for eligible federal and uniformed-service-related enrollees, not the general public.
- 2026 benefit example: orthodontic lifetime maximum of $3,000 for adults and $3,500 for eligible children.
- Member pays 50% of the plan allowance in-network, subject to caps and terms.
- Waiting periods and timing: check your enrollment-year brochure.
Sources: MetLife FEDVIP dental · MetLife FEDVIP 2026 Dental Brochure (PDF), p. 40 and p. 62
This one is only for a specific group. The Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, known as FEDVIP, is open to eligible federal and uniformed-service-related enrollees, not to anyone shopping online. If you qualify, though, MetLife's High Option deserves a spot on your comparison list.
Its 2026 brochure lists an orthodontic lifetime maximum of $3,000 for adults and $3,500 for eligible children, with the member paying 50% of the plan allowance in-network, subject to the plan's caps and terms. Those caps are higher than the other examples on this page, which matters for adult treatment in particular.
Be careful with years. MetLife's consumer page currently features 2027 material, while the figures here come from the 2026 brochure. Confirm the brochure for your enrollment year. A broad general dental benefit never means orthodontics is unlimited, and you should ask how orthodontic benefits are paid over time and what happens if coverage ends mid-treatment.
Pros
- Highest orthodontic caps among the examples on this page (2026)
- Adult and eligible child orthodontia
- Detailed public brochure to review
Cons
- Not available to the general public
- Benefit figures change by enrollment year
- Orthodontic payments may follow installment and continued-coverage rules
- Good fit if
- you are FEDVIP-eligible and an adult in your household needs braces.
- Look elsewhere if
- you are not eligible for FEDVIP; it is not an option you can buy.
Buying guide
Adults vs. kids: start with who needs treatment
Age is the first filter, and it removes options quickly. Many individual dental plans that mention orthodontia limit it to children, and the cutoff matters. The Ameritas 2026 base-plan example covers members under 19, so a teen turning 19 mid-treatment is a question to raise before enrolling.
For adults, read the eligibility line itself, not the marketing headline. A plan page can mention braces without promising adult coverage in your state. If the policy does not clearly say adults qualify, treat it as unknown and ask.
PPO vs. DHMO
A PPO typically pays a percentage of an allowed fee up to a maximum, and lets you see out-of-network providers, often with a higher share for you. A DHMO, such as DeltaCare USA, usually works from a copay schedule and requires you to use a selected network dentist who coordinates specialist care.
Neither is automatically better for braces. A PPO can work if your preferred orthodontist is in network and the cap is meaningful. A DHMO can be more predictable if you are comfortable with its network. Either way, confirm that the specific orthodontist you want participates.
Waiting periods, effective dates and stepped benefits
These three ideas get blurred together, and the difference can cost real money:
- Effective date: when the policy begins. Even a plan with no waiting period has one.
- Waiting period: a set time after the effective date before a benefit applies. Some plans have orthodontic waits that prior coverage does not shorten, as Cigna notes for Dental 1500.[Source]
- Stepped benefits: the benefit exists from day one but grows over time, like the Ameritas 2026 base-plan example paying 15% in year one and 50% after.[Source]
Map your orthodontist's expected start date against all three before you compare anything else.
Lifetime vs. annual maximums
Orthodontic benefits are usually limited by a lifetime maximum, a total the plan will pay toward orthodontics for that person, ever, under that plan. That is different from the annual maximum on cleanings, fillings and crowns.
Two practical points. First, check whether the orthodontic cap is separate from the general annual benefit, as Cigna Dental 1500 describes. Second, a generous or broad general benefit never means orthodontic coverage is unlimited. Orthodontics has its own rules, and those rules decide your braces math.
Treatment already in progress
Buying a plan does not automatically cover braces already fitted. Policies often limit or exclude treatment that started before coverage began, and switching plans mid-treatment can reset or reduce benefits.
If you are already in braces, ask the insurer directly how it handles treatment in progress, whether it accepts transfers from another plan, and whether any lifetime maximum used under a previous plan counts against the new one. Get the answer in writing.
Braces vs. clear aligners
A plan that mentions Invisalign or clear aligners is not promising equal treatment for every appliance. Coverage may depend on whether the provider is in network, how the fee is billed, and whether the plan treats aligners as orthodontic treatment under the same cap. Ask your orthodontist for the procedure codes and fee, then confirm with the insurer how that specific treatment is paid.
How to compare total cost over the full treatment
Premiums alone mislead. Compare what you would pay across the whole treatment: premiums for every month you must stay covered, plus your share of the fee after the plan's remaining eligible benefit, plus any network fee differences.
A hypothetical worked example
Every input below is fictional and not tied to any real plan. It is not a quote. Assumptions: eligible allowed treatment fee $6,000, plan pays 50%, remaining lifetime cap $1,500, no deductible, illustrative premium $40 per month for 24 months.
| Step | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Plan benefit | min($6,000 × 50%, $1,500 cap) = min($3,000, $1,500) | $1,500 |
| Your treatment share | $6,000 − $1,500 | $4,500 |
| Illustrative premiums | $40 × 24 months | $960 |
| Total illustrative spend | $4,500 + $960 | $5,460 |
This is before any excluded charges. Notice the cap, not the 50%, drove the result. Compare the total against the orthodontist's uninsured cash price separately, because that fee may differ from the allowed fee; there is no guaranteed $540 saving. Insurers may also pay orthodontic benefits in installments and require continuing coverage, so do not assume an upfront reimbursement.
Discount plans are not dental insurance
Some shoppers consider a dental savings plan instead. Humana, for example, says its Dental Savings Plus plan may offer discounts on braces.[Source] A discount plan does not pay claims or provide an insurance benefit cap. Verify that your orthodontist participates and get the exact discount before relying on it.
A note on Marketplace pediatric dental
HealthCare.gov explains that dental coverage for children is an essential health benefit.[Source] That status is not a universal guarantee of orthodontic coverage. Ask the actual plan whether it covers orthodontics and whether it requires medical necessity. Adult dental coverage is not universally included either.
Questions to ask before buying
- Does this exact state policy cover orthodontics for this person's age?
- Is there an orthodontic waiting period, and does prior coverage shorten it?
- What is the lifetime orthodontic maximum or copay schedule, and is it separate from the general benefit?
- Are benefits stepped by plan year?
- Is my orthodontist in network, and what happens if they are not?
- How is treatment already in progress handled?
- Are braces and clear aligners paid the same way?
- Are benefits paid in installments, and must I stay enrolled to receive them?
Final shortlist recap
- Cigna Dental 1500: best starting point for individual-plan shoppers.
- DeltaCare USA (individual DHMO): best to investigate for predictable copays.
- Ameritas PrimeStar Care Boost: best child-focused PPO option to investigate.
- MetLife FEDVIP High Option: best to compare if you qualify for FEDVIP.
Frequently asked questions
+Can I buy dental insurance after my braces are already on?
+Is there dental insurance for adult braces?
+Does no waiting period mean coverage starts today?
+Do orthodontic benefits get paid all at once?
+Does a Marketplace pediatric dental plan cover braces?
+Are Invisalign and braces covered the same way?
+Is a dental discount plan the same as insurance?
+Are these rankings personalized advice?
Methodology and sources
We reviewed official plan pages and policy documents on October 16, 2026 and grouped options by use case: individual shoppers, predictable copays, children, and FEDVIP-eligible households. We did not purchase or test these policies, and no clinician or licensed agent reviewed this page. Rankings are an editorial shortlist, not a universal or personalized best.
- Cigna Dental 1500 plan page (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- DeltaCare USA individual plan page (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- Ameritas individual plans (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- Ameritas 2026 Product Handbook (PDF), page 5 (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- MetLife FEDVIP dental (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- MetLife FEDVIP 2026 Dental Brochure (PDF), p. 40 and p. 62 (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: Dental coverage in the Marketplace (reviewed October 16, 2026)
- Humana: Dental braces resource (reviewed October 16, 2026)
Year-specific examples: Ameritas 2026 base plan (effective April 1, 2026); MetLife FEDVIP 2026 brochure.