Best Dental Insurance in Missouri for Teeth Whitening | Updated 2025 | DenScore

Choosing the right dental insurance can be tricky, especially when considering the dental plan’s cost, covered procedures, waiting periods, rules/restrictions and more. DenScore has analyzed every dental insurance plan in each state and ranked the top plans so you can choose the best one for your specific needs. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Service.

With a PPO dental plan that includes cosmetic coverage, patients may pay as little as $50 to $100 out of pocket for professional teeth whitening, since some plans cover up to 80% of the cost. Without insurance, the price of professional whitening typically ranges from $250 to $500, depending on the type of teeth whitening (in-office vs. take-home kits) and where the dental practice is located.

It depends. Some dental insurance companies and Medicare Advantage plans use misleading language and “bait and switch” tactics in order to sell more policies. If you mistakenly choose one of these plans, you probably won’t save much money on dental care and you may actually lose money if you’re paying high monthly premiums. The easiest way to save money with dental insurance is by choosing an in-network dentist when you need dental work. For more tips on how to save money when using dental insurance, check out DenScore’s FREE online dental tool, which is available 24/7!

To save the most on dental care, look for a plan with a high annual maximum of $2,000 or more and low coinsurance for costly procedures to minimize out-of-pocket expenses. For treatments like crowns, root canals and dentures, aim for a plan that covers at least 50 percent of the costs. Some plans may also cover part of cosmetic procedures, including teeth straightening, whitening, and porcelain veneers.

Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans are often a better choice than health maintenance organization (HMO) plans. While HMO dental insurance usually comes with lower monthly premiums, you’ll face higher copays for most treatments, and fewer dentists participate in HMOs, making it harder to find a high-quality provider. For employers looking to move beyond traditional dental insurance, companies like DntlDirect offer alternative dental benefits that lower costs while giving employees access to better care.

With a PPO dental plan that includes orthodontic coverage, patients usually pay $3,000 to $5,000 out of pocket for braces or clear aligners. Most plans cover 50% of orthodontic treatment costs but place a lifetime maximum on orthodontic benefits, often between $1,000 and $2,000 per person. Without insurance, the total cost of braces or clear aligners typically ranges from $4,500 to $7,500, depending on the complexity of treatment and the location of the orthodontic practice.