Best Dental Savings Plans in Illinois (2026)

Illinois has 1.2 million uninsured adults, heavily concentrated in Chicago and the surrounding collar counties. Chicago dental costs are among the highest in the Midwest — routine cleanings in the city can run $200–$350. Individual dental insurance in Illinois runs $40–$70/month with waiting periods and annual caps on major work. A dental savings plan at $99–$149/year with immediate coverage makes more financial sense for most Illinois residents paying out of pocket.

Top Dental Savings Plans in Illinois

1. Cigna Dental Savings — Best for Chicago Metro

Cost: $10–$18/month individual · $20–$30/month family Illinois network: 8,000+ participating locations

Chicago is Cigna territory in the Midwest. Their employer insurance footprint in the city, the North Shore suburbs, and the western collar counties (DuPage, Kane, Will) translates to a dense dental savings network. If you've had Cigna dental insurance through an employer in Illinois, your dentist is likely still in-network with the savings plan.

Typical Chicago-area savings:

• Routine cleaning + X-rays: save $120–$210
• Crown: save $300–$580
• Root canal (molar): save $300–$540

2. Careington 500 Series — Best Value Statewide

Cost: $99/year individual · $149/year family Illinois network: 8,500+ participating locations

Careington has solid statewide coverage in Illinois — competitive in Chicago's suburbs and strong in mid-size cities like Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, and Bloomington. At $99/year flat, it's the lowest-cost option for most Illinois residents outside the city center.

3. Aetna Dental Savings — Best for Downtown Chicago

Cost: $8–$14/month individual · $16–$24/month family Illinois network: 7,500+ participating locations

Aetna has strong network density in Chicago's downtown and Near North neighborhoods, where many finance and professional services workers are based. If you work in the Loop or near Michigan Avenue and need a convenient downtown dentist, Aetna's network in this corridor is hard to beat.

4. DentalPlans.com — Best for Chicago Neighborhood Searches

Cost: From $7/month (varies by plan) Illinois network: Search by your specific dentist

Chicago's 77 neighborhoods have very different dentist densities — Lincoln Park vs. Bronzeville vs. Logan Square will show very different plan coverage. DentalPlans.com's dentist-first search is the right tool for Chicagoans who are attached to a specific neighborhood dentist and want to verify coverage before buying.

Illinois Dental Costs: With and Without a Plan

| Procedure | Chicago Avg (No Plan) | Downstate IL Avg | With Savings Plan | |---|---|---|---| | Cleaning + exam + X-rays | $230–$390 | $175–$290 | $120–$220 | | Composite filling | $200–$340 | $145–$240 | $90–$165 | | Root canal (molar) | $1,050–$1,650 | $790–$1,250 | $575–$940 | | Crown (porcelain) | $1,200–$2,000 | $950–$1,550 | $650–$1,050 | | Implant (full) | $3,800–$6,200 | $3,000–$5,000 | $2,000–$3,300 |

Chicago dental costs run 20–30% above the Illinois downstate average — comparable to other major Midwestern cities like Minneapolis and Detroit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois Medicaid cover dental for adults? Yes. Illinois Medicaid covers comprehensive dental services for eligible adults, including preventive care, basic restorative work, and some major services. Illinois is among the more generous states for adult dental Medicaid coverage. If you qualify by income, Medicaid may outperform a savings plan. Check eligibility at abe.illinois.gov.

Are dental schools in Illinois available to the public? The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry offers discounted public dental services — one of the most accessible dental schools in the Midwest. Loyola University School of Dentistry and Midwestern University Chicago College of Dental Medicine also serve the public. Great option for expensive procedures.

Bottom Line for Illinois

1. Chicago city and North Shore suburbs: Cigna has the deepest network in Illinois's most expensive dental market
2. Downtown Chicago / Loop: Aetna's professional district network is the best for city center workers
3. Downstate and mid-size cities: Careington at $99/year is solid across Springfield, Rockford, Peoria, and Champaign
4. Neighborhood-specific Chicago search: DentalPlans.com's dentist-first model is worth the extra 10 minutes

Also comparing chain dental offices? Aspen Dental runs its own in-house savings plan — see how it compares to a national network: Aspen Dental savings plan vs. a national plan →