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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.
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
Company | Dental insurance plan name | Plan cost per month | % reimbursem*nt for teeth whitening | Waiting period for teeth whitening | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ameritas | PrimeStar Access | $50 | Immediately (in-network): 20% Immediately (out-of-network): 10% After one year (in-network):50% After one year (out-of-network): 30% | None | ||||
Anthem | Essential Choice PPO Platinum | $79.49 | 50% | 3 months | ||||
Delta Dental | Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan | $64.92 | 80% | 6 months | ||||
Guardian Direct | Diamond | $58.40 | 50% | 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.
Featured Dental Insurance Partners
1
Ameritas
Coverage
48 states
Network
111,500 providers
Monthly premiums start at
$24.69
On Dental Insurance Guide's Website
2
Aflac
Coverage
All 50 states
Network
No network restrictions (all providers are covered)
Monthly premiums start at
$25.00
2
Aflac
On HealthNetwork's Website
3
Humana
Coverage
48 states and Washington, D.C.
Network
270,000 locations
Monthly premiums start at
$17.99
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 treatment | How long do results last? |
---|---|
Professional whitening | One year |
Custom whitening trays | Six months to one year |
Whitening strips | Six months |
Whitening toothpastes | Three to four months (with consistent use) |
Whitening pens | Up 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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Teeth Whitening Coverage by Dental Insurance Plans
Most dental insurance plans do not cover teeth whitening procedures. However, there are a few dental insurance companies that offer coverage for teeth whitening, although they may come with certain conditions such as waiting periods. For example, Ameritas PrimeStar Access plan covers teeth whitening at 20% immediately for in-network providers and 10% immediately for out-of-network providers. After one year, the coverage increases to 50% for in-network providers and 30% for out-of-network providers. Anthem Essential Choice PPO Platinum plan offers 50% reimbursem*nt for teeth whitening after a waiting period of 3 months. Delta Dental PPO Individual - Premium Plan covers teeth whitening at 80% after a waiting period of 6 months. Guardian Direct Diamond plan provides 50% reimbursem*nt for teeth whitening after a waiting period of 6 months.
Cost of Teeth Whitening with Insurance
The cost of teeth whitening with insurance depends on the reimbursem*nt percentage offered by the dental plan. For example, if you have a Delta Dental PPO plan that covers teeth whitening at 80% and the whitening procedure costs $600, the plan would cover $480, and you would pay the remaining $120. Similarly, if you have the Guardian Direct Diamond plan that reimburses at 50% and the procedure costs $600, you would pay $300, and the dental plan would cover the other half.
Cost of Teeth Whitening without Insurance
The average cost of in-office teeth whitening is around $293 per arch (external whitening on the top or bottom teeth), according to the American Dental Association (ADA). This means that it would cost around $600 to have both the top and bottom teeth professionally whitened. Internal teeth whitening, which is needed for severe staining, can cost around $272 per tooth. So, if you need internal whitening on the eight top teeth that show when you smile, it could cost you more than $2,100.
Supplemental Dental Insurance for Teeth Whitening
If your primary dental insurance plan does not cover teeth whitening, it is unlikely that you will find a supplemental dental insurance plan specifically for whitening or cosmetic services. However, you may be able to purchase a second dental insurance plan that includes coverage for whitening as a way to get supplemental dental insurance for whitening. It's important to consider the pros and cons of dual coverage, as having a second dental plan may increase your overall premium without providing double the benefits.
Teeth Whitening Options Without Insurance
If you do not have dental insurance, there are several at-home teeth whitening options available. These include:
- Custom whitening trays: Many dentists offer custom whitening trays that are made by taking an impression of your teeth and providing you with a hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. You wear the trays with the gel for several hours per day over a few weeks. On average, custom whitening trays cost around $243 per arch, including the cost of the trays and the whitening gel.
- Teeth whitening strips: Whitening strips that can be purchased at drugstores are a convenient and cost-effective way to whiten teeth at home. These kits are generally less expensive than custom trays and can produce good results with consistent use.
- Teeth whitening toothpaste and pens: Whitening toothpastes and pens are marketed as easy ways to add whitening to your daily oral health routine. However, they may not be as effective as professional whitening or custom trays and are generally only good for removing surface stains.
- DIY whitening methods: Some people try using household products like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to whiten their teeth. However, it's important to note that these methods are not scientifically proven and can cause tooth sensitivity. It's recommended to consult with a dentist before attempting any DIY whitening methods.
Duration of Teeth Whitening Results
The duration of teeth whitening results depends on the bleaching method used. In-office professional teeth whitening typically lasts about one year. Custom whitening trays can provide results that last between six months to one year. Whitening strips usually provide results that last around six months. Whitening toothpastes offer results that last around three to four months with consistent use. Whitening pens provide results that last up to one week.
Zoom Teeth Whitening and Insurance Coverage
Dental insurance plans typically do not cover Zoom Whitening, a teeth whitening process that uses light and bleach gel. It's important to check the details of your dental insurance plan to see if it covers Zoom Whitening and if there are any waiting periods or restrictions.
I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.