How much does teeth whitening cost?
Keeping your teeth, gums, and oral cavity clean is a vital part of maintaining the health of your mouth and the appearance of your smile, but even the cleanest teeth might appear to grow dull or discolored over time. There are a few different factors that can make discoloration occur more rapidly or more severely, but even without these factors, it’s common for teeth to gradually lose their luster. Whether you want to restore the brightness of your smile for a special occasion, like a wedding or a job interview, or simply because you wish your teeth had just a touch more pizzazz, there’s a teeth whitening treatment that will work for you. Over-the-counter whitening treatments generally cost between $5 and $100 and come in a variety of forms, from toothpastes to pens and gel kits, and they can help with mild tooth staining and discoloration, but they can never be as efficient or effective as professional dental whitening treatments.
These professional treatments offer outstanding results in a shortened time frame by using higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide that can only legally be applied or dispensed by a dentist. In-office whitening treatments use the strongest whiteners, while custom whitening kits rely on carefully fitted mouthguard-shaped trays to deliver slightly gentler concentrations of whitening gel to the teeth daily. One of the biggest benefits of in-office teeth whitening is that it can safely deliver dramatic benefits in a short amount of time, with many patients needing only a single treatment that lasts no longer than an hour. During this treatment, the gums are securely protected before applying highly concentrated peroxide gel to the teeth, protecting them from irritation, and the gel is left on for brief intervals to protect the tooth enamel. The average nationwide cost of in-office teeth whitening is $650 per visit, with some patients with severely stained teeth requiring additional visits or other follow-up treatments.
Custom-made home whitening kits combine the convenience and ease of over-the-counter whitening treatments with the efficacy of clinical materials and expertise. These kits include custom-made bleaching trays modeled off the patient’s own dentition, which are used to apply whitening gel. The peroxide concentration in these gels is higher than that of its over-the-counter counterparts, but the solution is milder than the clinical amounts used in dental offices. Depending on the concentration of peroxide the dentist chooses to use for your specific teeth whitening needs, the dental trays could be left in for as little as an hour or for as long as overnight. These take-home whitening kits range in price from as little as $100 to as much as $400 or more, which many patients consider a very happy medium for effective, successful treatment.
If you want quick, dramatic results, professional teeth whitening is your best option, though in-office procedures may not be recommended for people with sensitive teeth, and any professional whitening treatment should only be performed in a mouth that is free of tooth decay and gum disease. Teeth that have been restored with crowns, fillings, or veneers can’t be whitened like the natural teeth, and some tooth discoloration won’t respond to traditional whitening methods and may require a different type of cosmetic dental treatment. Your dentist will review all your options with you, along with their costs, and you can make a decision that will have you smiling confidently in no time.
What are teeth whitening products
