How dental cover works here

Roughly six in ten Canadians get dental benefits through a workplace group plan. The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan fills part of the gap for eligible lower- and middle-income households without other coverage, but most working-age adults with existing benefits or private income still rely on employer plans or individually purchased insurance from national carriers.

Reimbursement is typically calculated against a provincial dental fee guide, so the same treatment can be priced slightly differently depending on where you live. Plans are usually sold in tiers — basic/preventive, then major restorative, then orthodontics as a separate, often capped, category.

Typical treatment costs

TreatmentTypical cost, no insurance
Check-up & cleaningCA$120 – $280
Filling (composite)CA$150 – $400
Root canalCA$700 – $1,600
CrownCA$1,000 – $2,200
Single implantCA$3,000 – $6,500
Invisalign-style orthodonticsCA$4,000 – $8,500

Costs vary by province — Ontario and BC provincial fee guides tend to run higher than the national average.

Providers compared

ProviderPlan typeMonthlyAnnual maxWaiting period
Sun LifeIndividual & familyCA$25 – $70CA$1,000 – $2,5000–12 mo
ManulifePortable coverageCA$30 – $75CA$1,000 – $3,0000–12 mo
Green Shield CanadaNot-for-profit planCA$20 – $60CA$750 – $2,0000–9 mo
Canada LifeGroup-to-individualCA$25 – $65CA$1,000 – $2,5000–12 mo

Estimated ranges, last reviewed August 2026. Always confirm the exact premium and terms directly with the provider.

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What to check before you sign up

  • Whether you already qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan before paying for private cover.
  • Whether coverage transfers smoothly if you move provinces or change employers.
  • Whether orthodontics has its own lifetime maximum, separate from general annual cover.
  • Whether a group plan through work already covers what you'd otherwise pay for privately.