Original Medicare does not cover root canals or other dental services, except in specific circumstances. Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include dental coverage.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not cover routine dental services like teeth cleanings and yearly exams or more in-depth procedures like root canals, extractions, fillings, crowns, or dentures.
Medicare Part A offers limited coverage if your dental procedure occurs in a hospital (for example, if you fell and injured your jaw) or if the dental service is needed for another covered procedure (such as a kidney replacement).
Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer dental care coverage. You’ll want to check with the individual plan you’re considering and make sure it offers dental coverage and to review costs.
This article reviews which Medicare plans offer dental coverage and what you can expect to pay.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not cover dental services, including preventive care such as dental cleaning and exams, or dental procedures like:
- root canals
- X-rays
- extractions
- dentures
- crowns
- gum disease treatment
If you have only Original Medicare, you will pay 100% for these services, except in certain circumstances.
Circumstances in which Medicare Part A may offer dental coverage
Medicare Part A may cover certain dental procedures for inpatient hospital stays in two cases:
- You’re admitted to a hospital for a dental procedure due to an underlying medical condition or the severity of the dental procedure. In this case:
- You’ll need a doctor’s order saying you need inpatient hospital care to treat your illness or injury.
- The hospital must accept Medicare.
- The dental procedure is directly linked to the success of certain covered medical treatments. For example:
- an oral exam or dental treatment before you get a heart valve replacement or bone marrow, organ, or kidney transplant
- tooth extraction to treat an infection before you receive cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy
- treatment for a complication you may experience while getting head and neck cancer services
In 2024, here’s what you can expect to pay for inpatient hospital stays covered by Part A:
| Length of hospital stay | What you pay |
|---|---|
| days 1 to 60 | $1,632 deductible |
| days 61 to 90 | $408 each day |
| days 91 and beyond | $816 each day while using your 60 lifetime reserve days |
| per day after you use all your lifetime reserve days | all costs paid out of pocket |
What are Medicare lifetime reserve days?
Original Medicare provides 60 lifetime reserve days that can be used during your lifetime when you’re in a hospital for more than 90 days. Medicare pays all covered costs for each lifetime reserve day, except for a daily coinsurance.
Learn more about Medicare lifetime reserve days.
Most Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer dental coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare (parts A and B). They’re offered by private, Medicare-approved insurance companies.
Medicare Advantage plans offer the same hospital and medical insurance as Original Medicare, plus additional benefits like:
- dental services
- vision care
- hearing care
- prescription drugs
- fitness programs
- telehealth
- meal delivery
Coverage and cost vary by plan, so you’ll need to review what each plan covers and its cost (for monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) before deciding on a plan.
You can enroll in either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, not both.
If you’re already enrolled in Original Medicare, you can switch to Medicare Advantage during open enrollment. Open enrollment begins on October 15 and ends on December 7.
Medicaid is a state-run program that offers healthcare coverage to eligible adults and children with a low income and to people with disabilities.
Medicaid covers dental services for both children and adults.
Minimum dental services for children include:
- periodic oral screening and exams
- relief of infections and pain
- teeth restoration
- dental health maintenance
Individual states determine which dental benefits are offered to adults enrolled in Medicaid. There are no minimum requirements of services offered.
If you’re a veteran, you may be eligible to receive dental benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you’re approved for VA dental benefits, you’ll be notified which dental services are covered. You can read more about VA dental care eligibility and coverage here.
You may also qualify to receive dental care from a VA dental clinic in your area.
If you need dental care, such as a root canal, and you don’t have dental coverage, you can try to find dental care options at a reduced cost. Some services may even be offered for free.
Dental schools
If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to get less expensive dental care (for cleanings, X-rays, and fillings) at dental schools.
All services are supervised by licensed dentists, so you’ll receive professional care at far less cost than a private dental practice. You can search for accredited dental schools in your area here.
Community health clinics
Community health clinics are another option for finding reduced cost dental services. These health clinics are managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration and are intended for families with low incomes.
You can search online to find a clinic near you. You can also call the HRSA national hotline for help at 877-464-4722.
Dental Lifeline Network
The Dental Lifeline Network is a not-for-profit organization that provides free dental services in all 50 states. Its mission is to provide free dental care to:
- those who can’t afford it and have a disability
- adults who are considered “medically fragile”
- adults over 65 years old
You can learn about its services and eligibility requirements.
Search for free dental care clinics in your area
You can also use the FreeDentalCare website to search for free dental care clinics in your area.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not cover dental services, including root canals, except in specific circumstances.
These circumstances include inpatient hospital coverage for:
- a severe dental procedure requiring hospital care
- a dental procedure that’s due to an underlying covered medical condition
- a dental procedure that’s directly linked to the success of a covered medical treatment
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans typically include dental coverage.
You may also be eligible for low cost or free dental programs through Medicaid, VADIP, dentistry schools, community health clinics, and the Dental Lifeline Network.