One of the most frequent questions people have before enrolling is which of the Delta Dental Standard and Premium plans to choose. Your basic dental needs are covered by both plans, but the annual difference can reach hundreds of dollars when it comes to more involved procedures like crowns, implants, and root canals.
This guide explains each plan’s specific features, monthly cost, and which one is best for both your pocketbook and your smile.
What Are Delta Dental Standard and Premium Plans?
Delta Dental is the largest dental insurance provider in the United States, with over 80 million members and 156,000+ dentists in its network. They offer several plan tiers, but the two that most individuals and families compare are the Standard PPO plan and the Premium plan.
The Standard plan gives you solid everyday coverage at a lower monthly cost. The Premium plan costs more per month but pays a larger share of bigger dental bills, especially procedures like crowns, implants, and root canals. Both plans cover 100% of preventive care like cleanings, exams, and X-rays.
Delta Dental Standard vs Premium: Key Differences
Standard Plan: What You Get:
- Lower monthly premium
- Annual maximum benefit of around $1,000 to $1,500
- 100% coverage on preventive care like cleanings and X-rays
- Around 70 to 80% coverage on basic fillings
- Around 50% coverage on crowns and bridges
- Dental implants are generally not covered
- Best for people with simple, light dental needs
Premium Plan: What You Get:
- Higher monthly premium
- Annual maximum benefit of up to $2,000
- 100% coverage on preventive care
- Up to 80% coverage on fillings
- 50 to 80% coverage on crowns and bridges
- Dental implants covered in many states
- Up to 3 periodontal maintenance cleanings per year
- Best for families or anyone expecting major dental work
Delta Dental Premium Payment: What You Will Actually Pay
Understanding your delta dental premium payment is key to choosing the right plan. Many people only look at the monthly cost and forget what they will pay when they actually sit in the dentist’s chair.
Here is a simple way to think about it:
- The Standard plan has a lower monthly premium. It is a great choice if you rarely need anything beyond a cleaning or a small filling.
- The Premium plan costs more each month, but your share of a $1,500 crown could be hundreds of dollars less.
- If you need implants, multiple crowns, or regular gum care in a year, the Premium plan often pays for itself.
- If you are young and healthy with no known dental issues, the Standard plan is usually the smarter financial choice.
- Always check if your dentist is in the PPO network. Going out of network raises your costs on both plans.
One important thing to watch out for — waiting periods apply to some major procedures. If you switch to a Premium plan and need a crown right away, you may have to wait 6 to 12 months before that coverage kicks in. Plan ahead if you know you have upcoming dental work.
Premium Dental Implants: Does Delta Dental Cover Them?
Premium dental implants are one of the biggest reasons people upgrade their plan. A single implant can cost $3,000 to $5,000 without insurance, so this one procedure alone can make the Premium plan worth the extra monthly cost.
Here is what you need to know:
- The Standard plan generally does not cover implants in most states. You pay the full cost yourself.
- The Premium plan covers implants in many states, typically at around 50% after your deductible is met.
- Even at 50% coverage, you could save $1,500 to $2,500 on a single implant.
- Some plans classify implants as a major procedure with a 12-month waiting period.
- Coverage varies by state, so always confirm with your specific Delta Dental plan before you decide.
If you are planning to get dental implants in the next one to two years, switching to a Premium plan now and waiting out the waiting period is usually the smarter move. Our team at Danhchi Medics can help you plan this correctly.
Delta Dental PPO vs Premier Network: Know the Difference
Many people confuse the plan tier with the provider network. These are two separate things.
Delta Dental PPO dentists offer the lowest out-of-pocket costs because they agree to deeply discounted fees. They cannot charge you more than the plan’s set fee. Delta Dental Premier dentists also accept set fee limits, so you still save compared to out-of-network dentists — but your costs may be slightly higher than with a PPO dentist.
Most plans give you access to both networks. Over 4 in 5 dentists in most states participate in at least one of these networks, making it easy to find care near you.
How Delta Dental Compares to Other Dental Insurance Providers
Delta Dental is the biggest name in dental insurance, but it helps to know how it stands against the competition.
Delta Dental has the largest directly contracted dentist network in the country with over 156,000 dentists. The Premium plan goes up to $2,000 annual maximum and covers implants. It is the best choice for people who want wide network access and solid coverage for major procedures.
Cigna has around 149,000 dentists in its network. It is a strong option for families who need orthodontic benefits built into their plan. Annual maximums range from $1,000 to $2,000.
Aetna has a very large provider network of over 250,000 locations. It offers lower-cost base premiums, making it attractive for people on a tight budget. However, its coverage for major procedures is more limited.
Guardian is popular for employer group plans and covers around 120,000 dentists. Annual maximums typically range from $1,000 to $2,000.
MetLife has one of the broadest provider networks with over 425,000 locations. It is a solid choice for people who want simple claims processing and easy access to dentists anywhere.
For overall network breadth, major procedure coverage, and implant benefits, Delta Dental remains the top choice for most patients.
Premium Dental Floss and Daily Care: Small Habits That Save Big Money
Insurance covers what happens in the dentist’s chair, but your daily routine decides how often you end up there. Using premium dental floss, a good toothbrush, and fluoride products can dramatically reduce cavities and gum disease, keeping your dental bills low no matter which plan you have.
- Floss every day. It removes plaque from between teeth that brushing simply cannot reach.
- Use fluoride toothpaste twice a day to strengthen your enamel.
- Electric toothbrushes remove significantly more plaque than manual ones.
- Drink fluoridated water to help prevent decay between dental visits.
- See your dentist twice a year. Both Standard and Premium plans cover these visits at 100%.
Patients who floss regularly are far less likely to need costly treatments like root canals or deep cleaning procedures. Good daily habits are the best complement to any dental plan.
Who Should Choose Which Plan?
Choose Standard if:
- Your teeth and gums are generally healthy
- You only need cleanings and occasional small fillings
- You are working with a tight monthly budget
- You are young with no history of major dental work
- You do not expect any complex procedures this year
Choose Premium if:
- You need implants, crowns, bridges, or a root canal
- You have gum disease that requires extra periodontal care
- You have a family with different dental needs throughout the year
- You want a higher annual maximum for peace of mind
- You know you have major dental work coming up in the next year
FAQs
What is the main difference between Delta Dental Standard and Premium?
The Standard plan has lower monthly premiums and an annual maximum of around $1,000 to $1,500. It is ideal for people with simple dental needs. The Premium plan costs more per month but provides a higher annual maximum of up to $2,000, better coverage for major procedures like crowns and implants, and more periodontal cleanings per year.
Does Delta Dental Premium cover dental implants?
Yes, in many states the Premium plan covers dental implants at around 50% after your deductible. The Standard plan generally does not cover implants. A waiting period of up to 12 months may apply, so it is smart to enroll early if you are planning to get an implant.
How much is the Delta Dental Premium payment per month?
Monthly costs vary by age, location, and the number of people on your plan. Premium plan rates are higher than Standard. The best way to get an accurate number is to check your state’s Delta Dental website or speak with our team at Danhchi Medics.
Can I switch from Standard to Premium mid-year?
Usually not. You can only change plans during open enrollment or after a qualifying life event like marriage or loss of other coverage. If you know you need major work, upgrade at the start of a plan year and factor in waiting periods.
Is the Premium plan worth the extra monthly cost?
If you expect a crown, root canal, or implant this year, the Premium plan almost always saves you more in procedure costs than the extra premium you pay. For someone who only needs cleanings, the Standard plan is typically the better value.
What is the difference between delta dental premium vs standard for families?
For families, the Premium plan usually offers better overall value. Multiple family members often need different types of care throughout the year, and the higher annual maximum of $2,000 per person, implant coverage, and extra periodontal visits make it a smart investment for long-term family dental health.
How does Delta Dental compare to Cigna and Aetna?
Delta Dental has the largest directly contracted dentist network in the country, making it easier to find in-network care everywhere. Aetna offers lower base premiums for budget-focused buyers. Cigna works well for families needing orthodontic coverage. For network size and major procedure coverage, Delta Dental is the top pick for most people.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Delta Dental Standard and Premium comes down to one simple question, how much dental care do you realistically expect to need this year?
If the answer is just cleanings and maybe a small filling, the Standard plan is a smart, budget-friendly choice. If the answer involves crowns, implants, or regular gum care, the Premium plan will likely save you more money in the long run even with the higher monthly payment.
Not sure which one fits your situation? Our team at Danhchi Medics is here to help. We work with patients every day to match them to the right plan and get the most out of their coverage.
Visit danhchimedics.com to book a free consultation today.
