
Guardian dental insurance offers comprehensive coverage for braces, including orthodontic treatment and appliances.
For children, Guardian dental insurance covers up to 100% of orthodontic expenses, with no waiting period for treatment.
The annual maximum for orthodontic treatment is $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the plan.
Children under 19 are eligible for coverage, and some plans offer additional benefits for children with special needs.
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Types of Coverage
Guardian dental insurance plans offer a wide range of coverage options, but it's essential to understand what's included in each type.
You can choose from different plans, such as the Dental Achiever and Diamond plans, which have varying levels of coverage for orthodontic services like braces.
Preventive care is usually covered at a high percentage, often between 80 to 100%, which includes routine exams, cleanings, and x-rays.
Restorative services, like fillings, are typically covered between 50 to 80%.
Orthodontic services, including braces, have an estimated 50% coverage, but this can vary depending on the plan.
Here's an interesting read: What Type of Braces Are There?
Some procedures, like cosmetic treatments and dental implants, are not typically covered by Guardian dental insurance.
Here's a breakdown of the estimated coverage for orthodontic services:
Keep in mind that these estimates may not reflect the actual cost, and you should check your policy for specific details.
The waiting period for orthodontic services is usually 12 months, and coverage is limited to dependent children under 19 years old.
It's also worth noting that contracted orthodontists can bill above their contracted fee schedule for optional materials, such as lingual brackets.
Coverage Details
Guardian dental insurance plans feature a wide range of orthodontic providers that allow you to "shop around" and visit out-of-network orthodontists, but you often pay less and don't have to file claims when you stay in-network.
The coverage for orthodontic care services like lingual braces is estimated to be 50% and has a waiting period of 12 months, limited to covered dependent children who are under 19 years old when the active orthodontic appliance is first placed.
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In most cases, patients with Guardian insurance will receive 80 to 100% coverage for preventive care, 50 to 80% coverage for restorative services, and 50 to 75% coverage for orthodontics (when elected).
Here's a breakdown of the estimated coverage for orthodontic care services:
- 50% coverage for lingual braces
- 50 to 75% coverage for orthodontics (when elected)
It's essential to note that contracted orthodontists can bill above their contracted fee schedule for optional materials, such as lingual brackets, and that Guardian's fee schedule allowance is based on standard (metal) braces.
Covers Retainers?
Guardian top-tier dental insurance plan will pay for one retainer per lifetime if needed.
The plan's coverage of retainers is limited to one per lifetime, so if you need another one, you'll have to pay out of pocket.
Contracted orthodontists can bill above their contracted fee schedule for optional materials, such as Invisalign retainers, but this may not be covered by your insurance plan.
You should contact your insurer to determine whether retainers are included in your insurance plan coverage.
If you're unsure about what's covered, you can also give your insurer a call to find out what might be covered for your specific situation.
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Understanding Coverage
Guardian dental plans feature a wide range of orthodontic providers that allow you to "shop around" and visit out-of-network orthodontists, but you often pay less and don't have to file claims when you stay in-network.
The waiting period for orthodontic coverage can be up to 12 months, and coverage is limited to covered dependent children who are under 19 years old when the active orthodontic appliance is first placed.
Orthodontic services, such as braces, are estimated to be 50% covered, with the Dental Achiever plan having a yearly maximum of $500 and a lifetime maximum of $1,000, and the Diamond plan having the same coverage limits.
Invisalign is considered orthodontic care and not cosmetic dentistry, with an estimated 50% coverage and a 12-month waiting period, limited to covered dependent children under 19 years old.
Guardian top-tier dental insurance plan will pay for one retainer per lifetime if needed, but contracted orthodontists can bill above their contracted fee schedule for optional materials, such as Invisalign retainers.
Here's a breakdown of coverage options for orthodontic care:
Preventive care, such as routine exams and cleanings, is typically covered at 80 to 100%, while restorative services, like fillings, are covered at 50 to 80%.
Cost and Payment
Guardian dental insurance covers orthodontic services like lingual and clear braces with an estimated 50% coverage, but there's a 12-month waiting period. This coverage is limited to dependent children under 19 years old when the active appliance is first placed.
The Dental Achiever and Diamond plans have an annual maximum of $500 and a lifetime maximum of $1,000, but contracted orthodontists can bill above their contracted fee schedule for optional materials.
You can expect to pay around $360 a year for dental insurance, which is about $30 a month. This includes premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and annual maximums.
Clear Braces Cost
Guardian dental provides an estimated 50% coverage for orthodontic services such as clear braces with a 12 month waiting period.
The coverage is limited to covered dependent kids who are under the age of 19 when the active orthodontic appliance is first placed.
The Dental Achiever plan has a yearly maximum of $500 and a lifetime maximum of $1,000.
The Diamond plan also has an annual maximum of $500 and a lifetime maximum of $1,000.
What Does Cost?

Most Americans pay around $360 a year for dental insurance, which translates to between $15 and $50 a month for a dental insurance plan. This cost can vary depending on your state and the level of coverage you want in your plan.
Premiums are the monthly payments you make for your dental insurance plan, which can range from $15 to $50. Don't forget to factor in other costs involved in your plan, such as deductibles and coinsurance.
Annual maximums, also known as yearly limits, are the most your plan will pay for coverage in a plan year. This can range from $500 to $1,000, depending on the plan you choose.
The cost of dental insurance can be broken down into several components, including premium, deductible, coinsurance, and annual maximums. Here's a summary of these costs:
Keep in mind that these costs can vary depending on your state and the level of coverage you want in your plan.
Additional Payment Options
If you're concerned about the cost of orthodontic treatment, don't worry, there are many options available to help make it more affordable.
You can check with your orthodontist to see which insurance plans they typically work with, and what your options are for paying the balance. Many insurance plans are accepted, including Aetna, Blue Cross Dental, Cigna, Delta Dental (Premier/PPO), MetLife, Sunlife, and United Concordia, and Guardian.
Interest-free financing through Care Credit and Wells Fargo is also an option, and you can use Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts to help cover the cost.
You can also pay with major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
Here are some of the financing options available:
- Many insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Dental, Cigna, Delta Dental (Premier/PPO), MetLife, Sunlife, and United Concordia, and Guardian
- Interest-free financing through Care Credit and Wells Fargo
- Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
Lingual Braces Cost Coverage
Lingual braces have an estimated 50% coverage through Guardian Dental insurance.
The waiting period for lingual braces is 12 months, which means you'll need to wait a year before coverage kicks in.
This coverage is limited to dependent children under 19 years old when the active orthodontic appliance is first placed.
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The Dental Achiever plan and the Diamond plan both have an annual maximum of $500 and a lifetime maximum of $1,000 for lingual braces.
Contracted orthodontists can bill above the contracted fee schedule for optional materials, such as lingual brackets.
The fee schedule allowance is based on standard (metal) braces.
Here's a breakdown of the coverage and maximums for lingual braces under Guardian Dental:
Sources
- https://www.hardypedoortho.com/orthodontic-insurances-we-accept/ppo-guardian-dental-orthodontics/
- https://www.killeenchildrensdc.com/guardian-dental-insurance
- https://www.anthem.com/individual-and-family/insurance-basics/dental-vision-insurance/coverage
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dentalinsurancecom-adds-new-guardian-dental-plan-with-high-max-benefit-302214976.html
- https://www.cherryortho.com/blog/general/dental-insurance-braces-work/
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