Does Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?

It’s fair to say that we are all interested in having bright smiles. According to research by SkyQuest Technology Consulting, the market size for teeth whitening across the world is predicted to be 10.6 billion U.S. dollars by the year 2030. But, sometimes the costs of teeth whitening can make us put our smile goals on hold. Are you wondering how much is teeth whitening at dentist with insurance? Or questioning, does insurance cover teeth whitening?

In general, it can be hard to find teeth whitening insurance, but some dental plans do offer coverage for teeth whitening. It is important to review your dental insurance plan to understand your specific coverage. This article will discuss various financial options for teeth whitening treatment.

What Is Teeth Whitening and Why Consider It?

Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dental procedure that lightens the shade of teeth and eliminates stains and discoloration. Most dental professionals offer teeth whitening services to help enhance patient’s smiles.

Naturally, teeth tend to become less bright overtime, due to factors such as consuming dark colored foods and drinks, using tobacco, enamel wear, and poor oral hygiene. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening can help combat discoloration and is safe and effective in removing both intrinsic and extrinsic stains from teeth.

Teeth Whitening Costs: With and Without Insurance

Teeth Whitening Without Insurance - What to Expect

So, how much is teeth whitening without insurance? In office teeth whitening cost averages between $500-$1,000 per session. While teeth whitening kits provided by a dentist cost on average between $300-$500 without insurance. Bleaching methods provided by dental professionals tend to be more expensive, but are safer and more effective treatment options than over-the-counter products.

Some offices may offer special discount plans or financing options to make teeth whitening procedures more affordable. Patients can also opt for less expensive alternatives, such as teeth whitening strips, toothpaste and pens, and mouth rinses that can be found over-the-counter.

Insurance plan at Gentle Dental

Is teeth whitening covered by insurance? In most cases, teeth whitening is not covered by dental insurance plans, however, some plans do offer coverage. Gentle Dental accepts over 200 dental insurance plans, some of which include teeth whitening coverage, making treatment affordable and accessible to many individuals. Accepted insurance plans that include teeth whitening coverage include:

• Guardian (Advantage Diamond): Has a 6-month waiting period before coverage is available. Offers 50% of whitening costs covered up to $500 benefit year maximum.
• Humana (Bright Plus): Has no waiting period. Offers $100 teeth whitening credit available once per calendar year.
• Anthem BlueCross BlueShield (Essential Choice Silver): Has a 6-month waiting period before coverage is available. 50% of whitening costs covered.
• MetLife (TakeAlong Dental HMO-Managed Care 350): Has no waiting period. Offers $125 copayment for external bleaching per arch.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

After reading this article, we hope that we have answered common questions including, ‘does insurance cover teeth whitening?’ and ‘how much is teeth whitening?’ Professional teeth whitening provides safe, effective, and quick results, but is often the most expensive whitening method. If you have dental insurance, check your plan details to determine if you have whitening coverage.

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t worry. Speak with expert dental providers at Gentle Dental if you are interested in teeth whitening, and they will provide you with your treatment options, all associated costs, potential discounts, and financing options.