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

There are many ways to lighten the color of your teeth. Traditional treatments range from over-the-counter toothpastes and whitening kits to professional whitening performed in a dentist’s office. A much more 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
  • 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?”

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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. <strong>Please note dental plans cover teeth whitening at differing levels and cost-sharing.</strong> 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.

Teeth Whitening Near Me

You can discover if your area has more plans covering teeth whitening with a little more effort. First, enter your zip code on the dental insurance quote page and see what local plans are available. Second, for a plan that interests you, confirm it covers teeth whitening by reviewing its coverage on the Plan Details page. The Plan Details button is on the right-hand side of the page, below the monthly premium and above the Apply Now button.

dental plan benefits and cost summary dental plan benefits and cost summary

After you click the Plan Details button, move down the Plan Details page. You will find the label “Teeth Whitening” and information regarding whether the plan covers that dental service.

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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