Many people are turning to teeth whitening as an easy way to dramatically improve their smile, without any complicated surgery, but how much does teeth whitening cost?
You might be surprised to learn that the cost of teeth whitening varies from as low as $3 to hundreds of dollars. The true cost is dependent on the kind of teeth whitening used and how dramatic you want the results to be.
A survey done by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry demonstrated that many Americans think that an attractive smile is key to making a person look more appealing. And of the various qualities that make up a beautiful smile, the top is whiter teeth.
Teeth can become discolored from use as the outer layer of the enamel gets worn away. Things like drinking staining drinks like coffee, tea and wine, smoking, and other activities can stain the teeth so that they do not appear as white as they naturally do.
What does it cost to get your teeth professionally whitened?
The teeth whitening cost largely depends on what option you use and if you elect to do the treatment at home or in office.
The cheapest option is using a teeth whitening kind of toothpaste and mouthwash. These will often be $5 or less and offer a mild solution to getting whiter teeth.
Over the counter products, like teeth whitening strips, and gels can also be a cheap option. A single box ranges from $20 to $40 and has enough strips for a week of whitening. There are also trays you can use that are filled with a bleaching gel and left overnight. These are often under $100.
While these cheaper options are affordable, they don’t give as dramatic of a change as professional teeth whitening. An in-office treatment can cost on average $650 but can be close to a thousand dollars depending on the type of product that your dentist uses and how much your dentist charges for the treatment.
Is professional teeth whitening worth it?
There seems to be a big jump in cost between the in-home treatments and the in-office cost. With teeth whitening cost, what you get is what you pay for.
An at-home treatment will improve your smile, but it may take many weeks to see a big change. A professional treatment offers faster outcomes, and a brighter smile quicker, sometimes with as little as one visit. The treatments often last no more than an hour and offer the fastest, most noticeable treatment.
Your dentist has access to a much stronger bleaching agent than the ones that are used in at-home treatments. The bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide, is generally only at about 10% in teeth whitening strips, but the solutions used by your dentist can be as high as 25 to 40%, making them stronger and more effective.
Consider too the maintenance that will be required to keep up your beautiful smile. No teeth whitening treatment is going to be a permanent solution. How long the treatment lasts depends largely on your lifestyle. Refrain from smoking, drinking or eating staining foods, and follow a good oral health routine can help ensure the results last for up to a year.
Does insurance cover teeth whitening cost?
Generally, dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening. Often they restrict coverage to procedures that are related to health and wellness, like routine x-rays, root canals and more.
Check your benefits with the insurance company to see if cosmetic procedures are covered. These procedures, like veneers, teeth whitening, and the like will often be not covered and the patient will have to shoulder the cost.
Is teeth whitening harmful?
The only major side effect of teeth whitening is a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity. This is a result of the bleaching agent that is used. The severity depends based on the condition of your tooth enamel.
If you are concerned about tooth sensitivity, speak with your dentist before doing any kind of tooth whitening treatment. The lasers that are used in in-office treatments are not harmful and don’t’ cause more tooth sensitivity.
If you have questions about teeth whitening cost, the treatment, or want to schedule a consultation, and you live in Upland, CA, give the Upland Dental Group & Implant Center a call for your consultation by calling (909) 985-1966. Our expert team will be more than happy to answer your questions.
