Both Aetna and Cigna sell dental plans nationally, both run six-figure dentist networks, and both default to roughly the same coverage structure (100% preventive, 80% basic, 50% major). On the surface they look interchangeable. The actual decision comes down to four things most people overlook.
If you have to choose between them through your employer, or you're shopping individual plans, the honest answer is that "which is better" depends on your specific dentist, your zip code, and what you expect to need this year.
network size matters less than network match
Cigna and Aetna both publish nationwide dentist networks in the six-figure range. The headline numbers (Cigna's larger overall, Aetna competitive in most metros) almost don't matter. What matters is whether your specific dentist is in-network on the specific plan you're considering. The same dentist can be in Aetna's PPO network but not their DMO, or in Cigna's DPPO but not their Cigna Dental Care HMO.
Before you pick: call your dentist's office and ask which plans they take, naming the exact plan tier. Don't trust the online directory alone. The directories often lag the practice's actual contract status by months.
the coverage structure is nearly identical
Both insurers default to the same shape:
- Preventive care (cleanings, x-rays, exams): 100% in-network, no deductible.
- Basic services (fillings, simple extractions, root canals on some plans): 80% after deductible.
- Major services (crowns, bridges, dentures, sometimes implants): 50% after deductible.
- Annual maximum: typically $1,000 to $2,500.
- Deductible: typically $50 individual, $150 family.
Where they differ in practice is the annual maximum on lower-tier plans. Some Aetna small-employer plans cap at $1,000. Some Cigna DPPO plans cap at $1,500 or $2,000 even on entry-level tiers. If your employer offers both at the same employee cost, the higher annual maximum usually wins for anyone expecting major work.
implants and orthodontics are where the plans diverge
This is where the real difference shows up.
Aetna covers implants on most "PPO Max" tiers but excludes them on some basic plans. Cigna covers implants on most DPPO tiers including some entry-level plans. Both typically cap at the standard 50% major rate, subject to the annual maximum.
Aetna offers orthodontics through riders with lifetime maximums of $1,000 to $2,000. Cigna's ortho coverage tends to be similar in dollar terms but more often included in core plans rather than as a paid add-on. Both insurers exclude purely cosmetic procedures (whitening, bonding placed for aesthetics) and both cover medically necessary versions of similar procedures.
If implants or orthodontics are likely in your future, read the specific plan exclusions closely. The brand name on the card matters less than the line item that says "implants: covered" or "implants: excluded."
customer experience and tools
Cigna's mobile app and member portal generally rate higher in user surveys, particularly the cost estimator that shows in-network pricing for common procedures before you go. Aetna's portal has improved significantly since the CVS Health acquisition in 2018 but still trails Cigna on cost transparency tooling.
Both offer the basics:
- Online claims tracking
- Find-a-dentist directories (with the caveats above)
- 24/7 customer service phone lines
- Pre-treatment estimate processing
Cigna's edge is the pricing tool. Aetna's edge is the CVS pharmacy integration if you're getting medical and dental from the same employer-sponsored bundle.
the bottom line
Aetna and Cigna are close enough that the coverage card alone won't decide for you. Pick based on whether your dentist takes the specific plan you're being offered, whether the annual maximum and implant coverage match what you actually expect to use, and which member portal you'll actually log into when you have a question.
Three things to check before you choose:
- Call your current dentist's office and ask which of the two plans they're contracted with at the specific tier you're considering.
- Compare annual maximums and implant coverage on the actual plan documents, not the marketing summary.
- If implants or ortho are on the horizon, request a sample predetermination from each insurer for a representative procedure to see what the real out-of-pocket would be.
sources
- National Association of Dental Plans — Annual Benefits Survey
- Aetna Dental Plans Overview
- Cigna Dental Insurance Plans
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Find a dentist →frequently asked questions
- Which is better for dental coverage, Aetna or Cigna?
- Coverage structures are nearly identical (100% preventive, 80% basic, 50% major). The right choice depends on whether your dentist is in the specific network, the annual maximum on the plan tier you're offered, and whether you'll use the cost estimator features.
- Which has more in-network dentists?
- Cigna's network is generally larger overall, but the practical question is whether your specific dentist accepts the specific plan tier. The same dentist can be in one carrier's PPO and not their DMO. Always verify by calling the office directly.
- Does Aetna or Cigna cover dental implants?
- Both cover implants on most PPO plans at the standard 50% major rate. Aetna excludes implants on some basic-tier employer plans. Cigna's DPPO includes implants on most entry-level tiers. Read the specific plan documents.
- Which has better mobile tools and cost transparency?
- Cigna's mobile app and member portal generally rate higher in user surveys, particularly the cost estimator that shows in-network pricing before you go. Aetna improved after the 2018 CVS Health acquisition but still trails on cost transparency tooling.