Last updated: July 2026
Aspen Dental has its own in-house savings plan at $49/year for the primary member — cheaper than most national savings plans. The catch: it only works at Aspen Dental offices. National plans like Careington cost $99/year but work at 200,000+ dentists, cover specialist-performed orthodontics and oral surgery (which Aspen's plan excludes entirely), and often deliver deeper discounts on major work. What Aspen's plan does well: free exams and X-rays up to twice per year, 30% off cleanings, and 20% off crowns, implants, and dentures — all at Aspen locations. The honest bottom line: if you already go to Aspen and plan to stay there, $49/year is hard to beat. If you want your own dentist, need specialist work, or want higher discounts on crowns and implants, a national plan wins despite the higher price. The full comparison, procedure-level pricing, and an honest look at when each option makes sense are below.
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Find My Plan (~1 min) →An in-office membership — but only at Aspen Dental locations
★★★☆☆3.6From $4.08/mo · Aspen Dental practices only (1,000+ offices, but not a national discount network)
The most widely-used dental discount network
★★★★☆4.4From $9.95/mo · 200,000+ network dentists
| Feature | Aspen Dental Savings Plan | Careington (national savings plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost (individual) | ✓$49/yr | $99/yr |
| Extra household member | ✓+$29/yr each | Family plan $149/yr (all members) |
| Where it works | Aspen Dental offices only | ✓200,000+ dentists nationwide |
| Keep your own dentist | No — must use Aspen | ✓Yes, if they're in-network |
| Exams & X-rays | ✓100% off (free, up to 2x/yr) | 20–60% off |
| Cleanings | 30% off | 20–60% off |
| Crowns / bridges / implants | 20% off | 20–60% off |
| Dentures | 20%+ off | 20–60% off |
| Clear aligners (in-office) | 10% off | ✓20–60% off |
| Orthodontics (specialist) | Not covered — excluded | ✓Covered at network orthodontists |
| Waiting period | None | None |
| Annual maximum | None | None |
| Portability | None — only works at Aspen | ✓Works anywhere in the network |
| Best for | Current Aspen patients who plan to stay | Anyone wanting their own dentist or specialist access |
What you'd actually pay at Aspen Dental (with and without their plan) compared to Careington 500 and Aetna Dental Access. Prices are typical ranges — your actual cost depends on the specific office.
| Procedure | Aspen (no plan) | Aspen Savings Plan | Careington 500 | Aetna Dental Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam + X-rays + Cleaning | ~$200–350 | $0 (included) | ~$50–80 | ~$50–80 |
| Single filling | ~$150–250 | Not listed — may vary | ~$60–100 | ~$70–110 |
| Crown | ~$900–1,500 | 20% off (~$720–1,200) | ~$300–500 | ~$350–550 |
| Root canal (molar) | ~$900–1,400 | 20% off if in-office (~$720–1,120); excluded if specialist | ~$400–700 | ~$450–750 |
| Implant | ~$3,000–5,000 | 20% off (~$2,400–4,000) | ~$1,200–2,000 | ~$1,300–2,200 |
| Simple extraction | ~$130–500 | Not listed — may vary | ~$100–200 | ~$110–220 |
| Full denture (per arch) | ~$1,000–3,000 | 20%+ off (~$800–2,400) | ~$720–1,440 | ~$780–1,560 |
| Clear aligners (in-office) | Full price at Aspen without plan | 10% off | 20–60% off at network orthodontists | 20–50% off, network-dependent |
| Specialist orthodontics (braces) | Full price — no plan discount | Excluded (specialist services not covered) | 20–60% off at network orthodontists | 20–50% off, network-dependent |
Non-Aspen price ranges are drawn from our national dental cost index. Aspen's 20% figure applies to its published discount schedule; it does not extend to orthodontics at all, which is the one procedure category where Aspen's plan offers nothing.
At $49/year, Aspen's plan breaks even fast. The included free exam and X-rays are worth roughly $200–350 at typical dental fees — more than four times the plan cost. Use Aspen for one routine visit and you're already ahead.
• Plan cost: $49/yr
• Free exam + X-rays value: ~$200–350 (2x per year per member)
• Net savings on first visit alone: ~$151–301 before any other discounts
• Careington at $99/yr breaks even when discount savings exceed $99 — typically one cleaning or filling.
The case for Careington despite the higher cost: 200,000+ dentist choices (vs Aspen-only), up to 60% off major work (vs Aspen's 20%), and full specialist coverage including orthodontists and endodontists that Aspen's plan excludes entirely.
At $49/year, Aspen's plan is cheaper than any major national savings plan. It deserves an honest look. Three situations where it's the right call:
Where Aspen's plan falls short: if you need a crown or implant, Careington's up-to-60% discount at independent dentists who charge less than Aspen often saves more in total, even after the extra $50 annual fee. And for any specialist work — orthodontist, endodontist, oral surgeon — Aspen's plan covers nothing; you need a national plan. Run the numbers for your specific procedures with our dental savings calculator.
Aspen's plan is cheaper ($49/yr vs $99/yr) and gives free exams and X-rays — but only at Aspen offices and with shallower discounts on major work (20% vs up to 60%). The decision comes down to whether you're an Aspen patient or not. If you are, Aspen's plan genuinely wins on price. If you're not, a national plan gives more value and freedom.
You already go to Aspen Dental and are happy there. At $49/year with free exams and X-rays (up to twice a year), 30% off cleanings, and 20% off crowns and implants, this is a genuinely good deal for a committed Aspen patient. The free exam and X-rays alone are worth $200–350 — more than triple the plan cost. The limitation is clear: it's worthless anywhere outside an Aspen office.
You want to keep your current dentist, need specialist orthodontics or oral surgery (which Aspen's plan excludes), or want access to deeper discounts on major work (Careington offers up to 60% off crowns and implants, vs Aspen's flat 20%). A plan like Careington ($99/year, 200,000+ dentists) costs $50 more per year but works everywhere, covers specialists, and often beats Aspen's 20% on major procedures at dentists who charge less than Aspen to begin with.
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