Does Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening? (2024)

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Teeth whitening is a frequently requested dental procedure that can transform your smile with brighter, whiter teeth.

There are several types of teeth whitening (at-home vs. professional), which vary by cost and effectiveness. But if you’re interested in teeth whitening, you may have to pay for the procedure yourself since many dental insurance plans exclude teeth whitening in their coverage.

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Ameritas

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Aflac

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All 50 states

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3

Humana

Does Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening? (5)

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Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?

Most dental insurance plans don’t cover teeth whitening. We found a handful of dental insurance companies with teeth whitening coverage, though policies may come with a waiting period for teeth whitening.

Dental insurance plans that cover teeth whitening

CompanyDental insurance plan namePlan cost per month% reimbursement for teeth whiteningWaiting period for teeth whitening
AmeritasPrimeStar Access$50Immediately (in-network): 20%

Immediately (out-of-network): 10%

After one year (in-network):50%

After one year (out-of-network): 30%

None
AnthemEssential Choice PPO Platinum$79.4950%3 months
Delta DentalDelta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan$64.9280%6 months
Guardian DirectDiamond$58.4050%6 months
Monthly costs are based on a 30-year-old female in California. Costs are for comparison only among plans; your own cost will likely be different.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost With Insurance?

The cost of teeth whitening with insurance depends on how much the dental plan reimburses for the service. Here are examples of teeth whitening costs with insurance.

  • The Delta Dental PPO plan covers teeth whitening at 80% after a six-month waiting period. If your cost for whitening is $600, this Delta Dental plan would cover $480 and you would pay the remaining $120.
  • The Guardian Direct Diamond plan reimburses at 50% for teeth whitening after a six-month waiting period. If your procedure costs $600, you would pay $300 and the dental plan would pick up the other half.
  • The Ameritas PrimeStar Access plan pays 20% for in-network teeth whitening care in the first year and 10% if you go outside your provider network. For a $600 whitening procedure, you would pay $480 to go in-network and $540 to go out-of-network.

Related: How Much Does Dental Insurance Cost?

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost Without Insurance?

The average cost of in-office teeth whitening is $293 per arch (external whitening on the top or bottom teeth), according to the American Dental Association (ADA). That means it costs around $600 to have your full sets of top and bottom teeth professionally whitened.

The cost is much more expensive if you need internal bleaching. On average, internal teeth whitening costs $272 per tooth. So if you needed internal whitening on the eight top teeth that show when you smile, it could cost you more than $2,100.

Is There Supplemental Dental Insurance for Teeth Whitening?

If your dental insurance doesn’t cover teeth whitening, you likely won’t find a supplemental dental insurance plan that specifically covers whitening or cosmetic services. The only way to get supplemental dental insurance for whitening would be to purchase a second dental insurance plan that includes coverage for whitening.

Getting supplemental dental insurance can be beneficial if your primary plan excludes certain services (like whitening) or if you’ve reached your annual out-of-pocket maximum. But it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of dual coverage. A second dental plan raises your overall premium, and you don’t get double the benefits.

Teeth Whitening Options Without Insurance

If you don’t have dental insurance, at-home whitening can be a good alternative and potentially a more affordable option. There are several ways to whiten your teeth at home:

  • Custom whitening trays: Many dentists provide custom whitening trays, in which they take an impression of your teeth and send you home with a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. You wear the trays with the gel for several hours per day over the course of a few weeks. On average, custom whitening trays cost $243 per arch, which includes the cost of the trays and the whitening gel.
  • Teeth whitening strips: Whitening strips that you can buy at the drugstore are a convenient and cost-effective way to whiten your teeth at home. These kits are much less expensive than custom whitening trays, and they may produce good results with consistent use.
  • Teeth whitening toothpaste and pens: Teeth whitening toothpastes and pens are marketed as an easy way to add whitening to your daily oral health routine. But don’t expect these whitening methods to work as effectively as professional whitening or custom trays. Whitening toothpastes and pens are generally only good for removing surface stains, which means you may not achieve a significantly brighter smile.
  • DIY whitening methods: You might be able to whiten your teeth using products you already have at home, like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, but dentists advise that these methods are not scientifically proven and can cause tooth sensitivity. Before you whiten your teeth with a household product, it’s a good idea to ask your dentist if it’s safe.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

In-office professional teeth whitening will last about one year. The length of time that teeth whitening lasts depends on the bleaching method.

Don’t expect a single in-office teeth whitening session or one whitening strip kit to produce permanent results. If you have severe staining, you probably need multiple whitening treatments to get your desired results.

Everyone’s teeth are different, so it’s difficult to say exactly how long a certain whitening treatment will last. Your lifestyle also impacts the length of results. For example, your teeth may not stay white for as long if you drink soda, coffee, tea or red wine, or if you smoke.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Type of treatmentHow long do results last?
Professional whiteningOne year
Custom whitening traysSix months to one year
Whitening stripsSix months
Whitening toothpastesThree to four months (with consistent use)
Whitening pensUp to one week

Is Zoom Teeth Whitening Covered by Insurance?

Dental insurance plans typically don’t cover Zoom Whitening—a process that uses light and bleach gel to whiten teeth.

Check your plan details to see if your dental insurance covers Zoom Whitening and if there’s a waiting period.

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Does Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening? (2024)

FAQs

Does Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening? ›

Teeth whitening is typically not covered by dental insurance because it's considered a cosmetic procedure.

Is teeth whitening a qualified medical expense? ›

Teeth whitening does not directly treat any specific medical issue and is considered a cosmetic procedure, therefore it is not eligible for reimbursement through traditional consumer spending accounts.

What makes you ineligible for teeth whitening? ›

Not everyone is the right candidate for teeth whitening. For example, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to get whitening. People who have dental bridges or crowns may want to talk to their dentist before considering whitening. Children should be at least 16 to get this type of treatment.

How many sessions does it take to whiten your teeth? ›

When choosing in-office teeth whitening, patients often only require one visit annually (at most) to maintain consistently white teeth. Depending on the patient's objectives and the intensity of the stains, the dentist may use multiple applications of the bleaching solution during each session.

What percentage does most dental insurance cover? ›

In general, most dental plans work on the 100/80/50 coinsurance model. This means that once you meet your deductible, you could get 100% coverage for preventive dental care, 80% coverage for basic dental procedures and 50% coverage for major procedures if you receive care in your network.

Can I use my HSA account for teeth whitening? ›

Because teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is not considered an HSA-eligible expense. If you take out money to cover teeth whitening, you will have to pay taxes and a penalty. If you want to handle stains caused by fluoride or tetracycline, an option that is covered by HSA is a veneer.

What is not considered a qualified medical expense? ›

Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness. They don't include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation.

Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening? ›

Bleaching products can have multiple side effects such as damaging the dental enamel, causing irritation to the gums, tooth sensitivity and more.

Which teeth Cannot be whitened? ›

Teeth that have yellowed with age

Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.

What kind of teeth can't be whitened? ›

If you have a lot of fillings, dental bonding or crowns, you may not be a candidate for dental whitening. This is because restorations will not respond to whitening, and a whitening treatment could result in a very uneven appearance.

What is the most effective teeth whitening method? ›

Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening

This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.

What is the fastest teeth whitening method? ›

For most people, Zoom! laser teeth whitening is the safest, quickest, and most effective option among the types of teeth-whitening treatments available.

How long do teeth last after whitening? ›

Is teeth whitening permanent? Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.

Why is dental work so expensive even with insurance? ›

You also often have to pay coinsurance, a percentage of the cost of treatment even after you have met your deductible. When you factor in deductibles, copayments and premiums, dental treatment can be expensive even if you have insurance, and it's not always clear if coverage is worth it.

What does the average American pay for dental insurance? ›

On average, people spend between $20 and $50 per month on dental insurance premiums, with annual estimates ranging from $240 to $600. However, dental insurance costs also include co-insurance, copayments for specific treatments, annual maximums (the coverage limit per year) and deductibles.

What is the highest annual maximum on dental insurance? ›

An annual maximum usually ranges between $1,000 and $2,000 and resets at the end of each benefit period, typically 12 months. Certain plans could have an even higher annual maximum, so make sure to check with your dental insurance provider.

Are veneers a qualified medical expense? ›

Veneers are covered only when medically necessary, but are not covered for purely cosmetic reasons. See Cosmetic procedures. Dependent day care expenses - Dependent day care expenses are not reimbursable under a Health FSA, HRA or HSA, but may be reimbursable under a dependent care FSA.

Can you claim medical dental expenses on taxes? ›

If you itemize your deductions for a taxable year on Schedule A (Form 1040), Itemized Deductions, you may be able to deduct the medical and dental expenses you paid for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents during the taxable year to the extent these expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for the year.

Is veneers a medical deduction? ›

Only medically necessary dental treatments are deductible, such as teeth cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, X-rays, fillings, braces, extractions, dentures, and dental-related prescription medications. Cosmetic procedures (like veneers and teeth whitening) and non-prescription medicines are not tax-deductible.

What medical bills are tax deductible? ›

The IRS allows you to deduct unreimbursed payments for preventative care, treatment, surgeries, dental and vision care, visits to psychologists and psychiatrists, prescription medications, appliances such as glasses, contacts, false teeth and hearing aids, and expenses that you pay to travel for qualified medical care.

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