Cigna vs. Delta Dental Insurance: Which Is Best?
After helping Medicare and individual insurance clients compare dental coverage for more than 15 years, Cigna and Delta Dental are the two names we get asked about most.
Both are solid, established carriers. Neither one wins every category.
Here's how they actually compare, and how to figure out which one fits your situation.
Quick Answer: Cigna tends to be the cheaper option and works well if you mainly want preventive and basic care covered.
Delta Dental tends to have the larger network and offers add-on coverage for things like implants and orthodontics, which can matter more if you need major work.
Neither carrier is automatically the "best" one for everyone — plan details vary a lot by state, so the specific plan matters more than the brand name.
Dental plans, pricing, and networks change year to year. Confirm current details on your specific plan's Summary of Benefits before enrolling.
No carrier wins across the board — the table above is a starting point, not the full picture. The sections below explain the reasoning behind each pick.
Who This Guide Is For
This comparison is for people choosing between Cigna and Delta Dental specifically, whether that's an individual plan, a family plan, or an employer-sponsored option.
- You're weighing Cigna against Delta Dental for an individual or family plan
- You want to know which one covers a specific service, like implants or orthodontics
- You're on Medicare and considering dental as a standalone add-on — see our guide to dental insurance for Medicare beneficiaries for that angle specifically
This isn't a guide to every dental carrier on the market. If neither of these fits, our dental insurance hub covers other options like Ameritas, Guardian, Humana, and Physicians Mutual.
How We Compared Them
We reviewed publicly available plan documents, benefit summaries, and current pricing for both carriers.
We also drew on the questions we hear most often from clients weighing these two companies against each other.
We looked at five things specifically: preventive and basic coverage, coverage for major work, waiting periods, network size and access, and monthly cost.
Plans reviewed: we reviewed currently available individual PPO and DHMO dental plans from Cigna and Delta Dental across several representative states. Because availability, pricing, and benefit limits vary by ZIP code and plan tier, the figures in this article are representative ranges rather than a quote or guaranteed benefit for your specific plan.
Common Mistakes We See
- Assuming coverage starts the day the plan does — most plans have waiting periods of several months to a year for anything beyond preventive care
- Comparing monthly premiums without checking the annual maximum, which caps what the plan pays out no matter how low the premium looked
- Not checking whether a specific dentist is in-network before enrolling, especially with Delta Dental's regional structure
- Assuming a plan covers implants or orthodontics by default, when those are often separate add-ons with their own waiting periods
- Switching plans mid-treatment and losing progress toward a waiting period they'd already satisfied with their old carrier
We've worked with people who signed up for a new dental plan expecting it to behave like health insurance, where coverage starts immediately.
One situation we see often: someone enrolls, then needs a crown or root canal a few months later, only to learn major services aren't covered yet under their plan's waiting period.
They end up paying the full cost out of pocket. Checking waiting periods before enrolling, not after, avoids this.
Cigna Dental Overview
- One of the larger dental networks in the country
- Preventive care plans commonly start around $19–$20/month
- PPO, DHMO, and discount dental plans available
- Bundled options with vision and hearing on some plans
Cigna is a major health insurer that also runs a large dental insurance business, offering PPO, DHMO, and discount dental plans for individuals, families, and employer groups.
Preventive care — routine cleanings, exams, and X-rays — is typically covered at 100% with no waiting period, which is standard across most Cigna plans.
PPO plans let you see any licensed dentist, in-network or out, though staying in-network usually means lower costs. DHMO plans require a primary care dentist and referrals to specialists, but tend to come with lower premiums and predictable copays.
- Most individual Cigna dental plans don't include comprehensive implant coverage, though this can vary by state and specific plan
- Waiting periods of roughly 6 months for basic services and 12 months for major services on many plans
- Annual maximums vary a lot by plan tier, and the lower-cost plans people often pick for the savings tend to cap out lower than a comparable Delta Dental plan
Not ideal if: you need implant coverage or expect major dental work in your first year on the plan.
Clients who pick Cigna are usually focused on keeping the monthly bill low and mainly want cleanings and checkups covered.
That's exactly what Cigna does well. Where we see people run into trouble is assuming that low premium also means solid coverage for a crown or root canal — it often doesn't, at least not right away.
Related: our full Cigna Dental Insurance review goes deeper on plan tiers and pricing.
Delta Dental Overview
- One of the largest dental networks and membership bases in the U.S.
- Operates through regional member companies, so plan details vary by state
- PPO, DHMO (DeltaCare USA), and discount plans available
- Add-on coverage often available for implants and orthodontics
Delta Dental is one of the largest and most recognized names in dental insurance, built as a federation of regional member companies rather than a single national carrier.
That structure is Delta's biggest strength and its biggest catch. The wide network means it's easier to find an in-network dentist in most areas, but plan design, pricing, and even customer service can differ noticeably from state to state.
PPO plans allow both in- and out-of-network visits, DHMO (DeltaCare USA) plans use a primary-dentist structure with no deductible or annual maximum, and discount plans reduce costs at participating providers without traditional insurance.
- Coverage and customer service can be inconsistent across states, since plans are run by separate regional companies
- Some plans carry a separate enrollment fee that Cigna typically doesn't charge
- Waiting periods for major services can run longer on some plans than what we typically see with Cigna
Not ideal if: you want the lowest possible premium or a perfectly uniform experience if you move between states.
People who choose Delta Dental usually already have a dentist they want to keep, or they know they'll need bigger work like a crown or orthodontics down the road.
The tradeoff is worth double-checking: because Delta operates regionally, the exact plan a neighbor has in another state may not be the same one available to you.
Networks and participating dentists change over time — confirm your specific dentist is still in-network before enrolling, rather than assuming based on Delta's overall size.
Our Evaluation
We scored both carriers across the categories that matter most in the plans we typically see, based on published plan documents rather than marketing claims.
These are editorial ratings, not scores issued by the insurers or a third-party rating agency. We weighed coverage percentages, benefit limits, waiting periods, cost, and network access to arrive at each one.
Cigna
100% coverage, no waiting period on most plans
Covered, but implants aren't included on most individual plans and annual maximums vary widely by tier
Standard 6/12 month structure on most plans
Generally the lower-premium option of the two
Large national network
Delta Dental
100% coverage on most plans, no waiting period
Implant and orthodontic add-ons are more commonly available than with Cigna
Varies by plan and state, sometimes longer for major work
Generally the higher-premium option of the two
One of the largest networks in the industry
Neither carrier sweeps every category. Cigna wins on cost and simplicity, Delta wins on network reach and major-work flexibility — which one "wins" depends entirely on what you actually need covered.
What Are the Costs?
Exact pricing depends heavily on your state, age, and plan tier, but here's the general pattern we see.
Cigna tends to run somewhat cheaper at both ends of the range. A higher premium doesn't automatically mean better value for you — it depends on whether you'll actually use the extra coverage it buys.
| Factor | Cigna | Delta Dental |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive Care | 100% covered on most plans | 100% covered on most plans |
| Basic Services | Roughly 70–80% covered | Varies by plan |
| Major Services | Roughly 50–60% covered | Varies by plan |
| Implants | Not covered on most individual plans | Often available as an add-on |
| Annual Maximum | Varies by plan tier — entry plans often cap lower, higher tiers can reach $3,000 | Varies by plan and state — entry plans often cap lower, some PPO plans offer more |
| Deductible | $0–$100 | $50–$100 on most plans |
| Enrollment Fee | None on most plans | Some plans carry a separate fee |
Annual maximums vary significantly by state and specific plan for both carriers — they aren't consistently higher with one company across the board. In the plans we reviewed, Delta Dental's edge on major work came more from broader implant and orthodontic add-on availability than from a flatly higher cap. If you need multiple major procedures in the same year, even a mid-range annual maximum can run out quickly, so compare the exact figure on the plan you're quoted rather than a general company reputation.
Waiting Periods
A waiting period is the amount of time you have to be on a plan before it covers a given service.
Both carriers cover preventive care immediately in most cases. Basic and major services are where waiting periods usually apply.
Cigna commonly runs a 6-month wait for basic services and 12 months for major services. Delta Dental's waiting periods vary more by plan and state, sometimes running longer for major work.
Some plans will waive or shorten a waiting period if you had continuous prior dental coverage — it's worth asking about specifically when you enroll.
To put the stakes in real numbers: depending on the tooth, provider, and location, a root canal averages around $1,200 without dental coverage, according to GoodRx's cost breakdown. If you switch plans and need one before the major-services waiting period is up — commonly 12 months on many individual plans from either carrier — you're paying that full amount yourself, regardless of how good the plan's coverage looks on paper once the waiting period ends.
Who Should Choose Each
Choose Cigna If
- You already have Cigna health coverage and want to bundle
- You mainly want preventive and basic care covered affordably
- You prefer a carrier whose individual plan structure tends to be more consistent from one market to another
Choose Delta Dental If
- A large provider network is a top priority
- You want the option to add implant or orthodontic coverage
- You're comfortable with some plan variation by state
Bottom Line
If you're mainly comparing Cigna and Delta Dental for inexpensive preventive coverage, Cigna is usually our first choice.
If you want implant or orthodontic options, or Delta's larger network is important to you, Delta Dental is often the stronger choice.
Neither company is automatically the best overall dental insurer for every situation. Before enrolling, it's worth pricing out a few other carriers too — Ameritas, Physicians Mutual, Humana, and Spirit Dental all show up frequently in the comparisons we run, and one of them may offer a higher annual maximum or shorter waiting period for your specific needs.
Our Editorial Process
This comparison is based on:
- Official plan documents and Summary of Benefits materials from both carriers
- Premium, waiting-period, and annual-maximum comparisons across the plans reviewed
- Network research for both carriers
- More than 15 years of first-hand experience helping clients compare dental and Medicare-related coverage
When either company updates its benefits or pricing, we revisit this page and update our recommendations. No company can pay to improve its placement in this guide.
Sources
- Cigna Healthcare — Dental Insurance Plans (official plan/benefit page, current as of publication)
- Delta Dental — Individual and Family Dental Insurance (official plan/benefit page, current as of publication)
- American Dental Association — MouthHealthy consumer resource
- GoodRx — How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?
- Medicare.gov — Dental Services Coverage
FAQs
- Does Cigna cover dental implants?
- Is Delta Dental worth the higher premium?
- Which company has shorter waiting periods?
- Can I keep my current dentist with either plan?
- Is either plan good for seniors on Medicare?
- Which carrier has the larger network?
