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Teeth whitening is a common dental maintenance procedure that can improve the appearance of teeth, brighten smiles and increase confidence. You can choose from at-home or professional teeth whitening solutions with various costs and levels of effectiveness.
While 50% of Americans have dental insurance, most don't cover teeth whitening, but there are exceptions. Does dental insurance cover teeth whitening? Sometimes, but rarely. Read on to understand when you could get dental insurance coverage for teeth whitening.
Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Insurance?
In most cases, your dental insurance plan won't cover teeth whitening unless it's medically necessary or a special employer-sponsored plan. In rare cases, dental insurance companies do cover whitening.
When Will Insurance Consider Teeth Whitening to Be Covered Under Their Policy?
Generally, insurance companies will consider whether the teeth whitening is medically necessary or related to injury or trauma. In those cases, your insurance usually will cover teeth whitening. Here is an overview of common situations.
Medically Necessary
If your dentist deems teeth whitening medically necessary, it could be covered by insurance. The dentist may need to file information regarding the condition and why you require whitening. However, this is medically rare.
Injury or Trauma
If you have stained teeth from an accident, injury or trauma, your dental insurance may cover teeth whitening costs. You'll usually need to speak to your insurance provider to get approval ahead of time. This is more common for internal teeth whitening on one or two individual teeth.
Employer-Sponsored Plans
Employee-sponsored plans may have extended coverage that private insurance plans don't offer, which can include teeth whitening. You can speak with the plan provider or HR department to understand whether your employee-sponsored dental insurance plan covers this option.
Dental Insurance Companies That Cover Teeth Whitening
Here is an overview of insurance companies that do cover some percentage of teeth whitening procedures.
| Insurance Company | Dental Insurance Plan | Monthly Cost | % Reimbursement for Teeth Whitening | Teeth Whitening Waiting |
| Anthem | Essential Choice PPO Platinum | $79.49 | 50% | None stated |
| Ameritas | PrimeStar Access | $50 | Varies by timing and in-network or out-of-network: 10% to 50% | Option for immediate whitening with 10% reimbursement for out-of-network or 20% for in-network After one year, you can get 50% reimbursement for in-network or 30% for out-of-network |
| Guardian Direct | Diamond | $58.40 | 50% | Six months |
| Delta Dental | Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan | $64.92 | 50% | Six months |
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost With Insurance?
How much teeth whitening insurance costs with insurance depends on the base whitening costs. The average cost of teeth whitening ranges from $500 and $1,000 per session. In some cases, you may need multiple sessions. If you have dental insurance with a 50% copayments, you'll end up paying between $250 and $500 per session.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost Without Insurance?
Without insurance, you'll pay the full cost of teeth whitening. For a professional service, this could cost you $500 and $1,000. However, you could also consider at-home or low-cost whitening solutions.
How to Whiten Your Teeth Without Insurance
If you want to get whiter teeth without a large expense, there are simple at-home solutions, from whitening strips to whitening toothpaste. Before making a large out-of-pocket expense, consider these solutions.
DIY Whitening Methods
You've probably seen DIY whitening methods all over the internet. Solutions like
baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can make your teeth appear whiter. However, most of these methods get mixed reviews from dentists, and some may cause tooth sensitivity. Talk to your dentist before trying DIY whitening methods.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste and Pens
Teeth whitening toothpaste is usually a first-line whitening solution. While many commercial toothpaste brands offer a whitening option, you can also consider professional-grade whitening toothpaste. Likewise, whitening pens can help treat isolated spots or surface stains. These solutions may not work as well as professional whitening but over time can lead to consistent results.
Teeth Whitening Strips
You can buy teeth whitening strips at most drugstores or supermarkets. These kits are less expensive than professional whitening services, trays or custom whitening. While whitening strips can produce good results, you may need to use them over some time for best results.
Custom Whitening Trays
Custom whitening trays are made from impressions of your teeth taken at your dentist's office. With these, you'll usually get a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel that you apply and then wear in the trays for a few hours or overnight. You might be required to repeat treatments for several weeks to get results. The average whitening tray costs around $485 for a top and bottom teeth set. However, you could reuse them by purchasing more whitening gel.
Saving on Teeth Whitening Costs
Teeth whitening can brighten your smile, build your self-confidence or be required in certain professions. While professional teeth whitening is expensive, the right dental insurance could provide up to 50% coverage for whitening costs. If you don't want to pay so much out of pocket, you can use whitening trays, toothpaste or other at-home solutions. Ready to get started? Find the best no-waiting insurance, individual insurance or overall dental insurance here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is teeth whitening considered a cosmetic procedure?
Yes, teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure. In rare cases, it may be medically necessary but still falls under the category of cosmetic procedures.
Can dental insurance cover teeth whitening if it is recommended by a dentist?
Yes, in some cases, dental insurance will cover teeth whitening with a copay. Check the dental insurance providers above for teeth whitening coverage.
Can a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) cover teeth whitening?
You cannot use funds from a flexible spending account (FSA) for teeth whitening. If deemed medically necessary, you may be able to use a health savings account (HSA) to cover teeth whitening. However, it’s usually considered a cosmetic procedure that you can’t pay for with an HSA.
Dental Insurance Methodology
To determine the best dental insurance providers, we pored through all United States carriers. We winnowed the list by only including companies that have a wide coverage area and product offering. To further break down the list to the true best dental insurance providers, we gave weight to carriers that offer discounts, are available in all states and have multiple payment plan options.
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About Alison Plaut
Alison Plaut is a personal finance, business, and insurance writer with a sustainable MBA, passionate about helping people understand insurance choices and financial options to create financial freedom. She has more than 17 years of writing experience, focused on insurance, real estate, business, personal finance, and investing. Her work has been published in The Motley Fool, MoneyLion, and she is a regular contributor for Benzinga.