Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?

By Kev Coleman Insurance Industry Expert & Author
Updated on
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In this article

Introduction to Teeth Whitening

Over time, those things the food we eat and drink can discolor our teeth. Thankfully, there are many ways to lighten the color of your teeth. Traditional treatments to lighten the appearance of teeth if not restore them to their original color. These treatments range from over-the-counter toothpastes and whitening strips and trays to professional whitening performed in a dentist’s office. Perhaps the most expensive option is to have veneers applied to visible teeth on the upper and lower jaws.

All forms of teeth whitening are a form of cosmetic dental care. Cosmetic dentistry is often omitted from insurance coverage, but there are dental plans that include teeth whitening as a benefit. Our nationwide review of dental plans found nearly 17 percent had some form of coverage for teeth whitening.

Types of Teeth Whitening Treatments

It’s important to note that while natural teeth can be whitened, artificial teeth like crowns, implants, and veneers are not good candidates for whitening. If you have artificial teeth, consult a dentist before proceeding with a whitening program.

If a dental plan includes a benefit for teeth whitening, the whitening covered is the type delivered by a dentist (you can always confirm this in a dental plan's Summary of Benefits brochure). There are other ways to whiten your teeth that are likely excluded from this coverage such as:

  • Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes (“over-the-counter” means the product can be purchased without a prescription in a retail store like a grocery or pharmacy)
  • Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits
  • Over-the-counter teeth whitening strips
  • Laser teeth whitening provided outside a dental office
  • Whitening services provided by an out-of-network dentist

For a more extensive discussion of whitening options, see our article “What's The Best Way to Whiten My Teeth?”

Teeth Whitening Cost

How much does teeth whitening cost? It depends on which whitening method you choose. Below are estimates* for several of the most common procedures:

  • Over-the-counter whitening toothpastes: Approximately $4 to $15 depending on brand and container size
  • Over-the-counter teeth whitening strips: Approximately $10 to $50 depending on brand, the number of strips, and whether a LED light is included
  • Over-the-counter teeth whitening trays: approximately $10 to $84 depending on brand and whitening kit contents
  • Laser teeth whitening at a dentist’s office: Approximately $500 per visit**
  • Dental veneers: $800 to $2,500 a tooth***

* Price estimates derived from online ecommerce websites
** Price estimate obtained from https://www.medicinenet.com/how_much_cost_get_your_teeth_whitened_by_a_dentist/article.htm
*** https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/procedures/how-much-do-veneers-cost

Questions answered and ready to buy?

Which Dental Plans Cover Teeth Whitening

We’ve assembled a list of dental plans in each state that include some level of cover for teeth whitening. This is not a comprehensive list but a quick way to find a couple options available in your area. Please note dental plans cover teeth whitening at differing levels and cost-sharing. Out-of-pocket estimates assume in-network providers and a satisfied  deductible. Be certain to review the Plan Details for a given product to gain more information on the teeth whitening benefit conditions summarized below.

State Insurance Company Plan
Alabama Guardian Advantage Diamond
    6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Alaska Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Arizona Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Arkansas Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
California MetLife TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 350 (Low)
  No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
  California Dental Network Plan 595
  No waiting period. $250 copayment per arch for external bleaching, performed in office. $125 copayment per arch for external bleaching, for home application.
Colorado Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Classic
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Connecticut Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Silver
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Delaware Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Florida Guardian Managed DentalGuard
  No waiting period. $165 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
  MetLife TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 245 (High)
  No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
Georgia Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Incentive
  No waiting period. 30% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 40% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. One per tooth per 12 months up tp $250 benefit lifetime maximum.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Hawaii Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Idaho Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Illinois Guardian Managed DentalGuard
  No waiting period. $165 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Indiana Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Platinum
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Iowa Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Kansas Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Kentucky Delta Dental of Kentucky Happy Smiles
  No waiting period. 10% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 30% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. External bleaching procedures are covered once per 12 month period per arch; internal bleaching procedures are covered once per tooth per 12 month period
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Louisiana Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Maine Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Incentive
  No waiting period. 30% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 40% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. One per tooth per 12 months up tp $250 benefit lifetime maximum.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Platinum
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Maryland Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Massachusetts Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Michigan Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Minnesota Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
  Humana Bright Plus
  $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
Mississippi Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Missouri Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Montana    
  We didn't find any Montana dental plans in our inventory that had teeth whitening coverage
Nebraska Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Nevada Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Platinum
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
New Hampshire Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Silver
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
New Jersey Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
New Mexico Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
New York Anthem Bluecross Blueshield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Guardian Managed DentalGuard
  No waiting period. $165 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
North Carolina Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
North Dakota Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Ohio Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Silver
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Oklahoma Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Oregon Dental Health Services Super SmartSmile
  No waiting period. $100 copayment for external bleaching (per tooth).
  Dental Health Services SmartSmile
  No waiting period. $100 copayment for external bleaching (per tooth).
Pennsylvania Humana Bright Plus
  $100 copayment for internal bleaching (per tooth). $200 copayment for external bleaching – per arch.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Rhode Island Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
South Carolina Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
South Dakota Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Tennessee Delta Dental of Tennessee Brighter Advantage
  No waiting period. 25% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 50% in the 2nd and after. External bleaching procedures are covered once per 12 month period per arch; internal bleaching procedures are covered once per tooth per 12 month period.
  Delta Dental of Tennessee Essential Advantage
  No waiting period. 10% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 25% in the 2nd and after. External bleaching procedures are covered once per 12 month period per arch; internal bleaching procedures are covered once per tooth per 12 month period.
Texas MetLife TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 245 (High)
  No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
  MetLife TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 350 (Low)
  No waiting period. $125 copayment for external bleaching, per arch.
Utah Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Vermont Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
Virginia Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Gold
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Platinum
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Washington State    
  We didn't find any Washington State dental plans in our inventory that had no waiting period
Washington D.C. Humana Bright Plus
  No waiting period. $100 teeth whitening allowance available once per calendar year.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
West Virginia Guardian Advantage Diamond
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
  Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
Wisconsin Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Incentive
  No waiting period. 30% of costs covered in 1st year of enrollment, 40% in the 2nd, 50% in the 3rd and after. One per tooth per 12 months up tp $250 benefit lifetime maximum.
  Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Essential Choice Silver
  6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of costs covered.
Wyoming Careington 500 Series Dental Savings
(Discount Program, Not Insurance)
  No waiting period. 20% discount off standard rate.
  Note: Plans may not be available in all areas within a state.

We can help you find the plan that best suits YOUR needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Teeth Whitening

What are the factors that may affect the cost of teeth whitening by a dentist?

Assuming the teeth are not so dark that they require multiple whitening sessions, local competition and regional pricing trends can affect a dentist’s charge as well his or her level of expertise and office overhead. The technique used for whitening may also affect the price a dentist charges his or her patients. With respect to regional pricing, consumers may find higher prices in cities as compared to suburban and rural areas.

What is the Cost of In-Office Teeth Whitening?

See the <a href="#cost">Teeth Whitening Cost?</a> section of this article.

What is the most cost-effective teeth whitening?

There are a variety of over-the-counter teeth whitening products that can be tried. They include toothpastes, strips, and whitening tray kits. If these options do not produce the desired results, you can consult with your local dentist about your options.

How Do Teeth Whitening Trays Work?

Over-the-counter whitening tray kits can be purchased at grocery stores, pharmacies, and online. They allow consumers to whiten while staying in the comfort of their own homes. The kits typically provide a syringe of whitening agent that is deposited inside teeth trays. These trays are placed against the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. Some kits may add a LED light that enhances the effectiveness of the whitening agent. The trays are applied for a recommended period and then removed so that your teeth as well as the trays may be cleaned.

How Do Teeth Whitening Strips Work?

Whitening strips are pieces of plastic that are placed in the mouth and molded against the upper and lower teeth. The plastic contains a whitening agent or gel, which will slowly lighten the shade of the teeth. Typically the strips are used repeatedly over a few weeks in order for a noticeable color improvement to occur.

Need help choosing a plan? Call us at 800-296-3800

Our knowledgeable customer service team will assist you with any questions you may have prior to enrolling in a dental plan. They can guide you through the process of choosing coverage that matches your needs as well as your budget.

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