How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
A sparkling smile never gets out of fashion, but how much does teeth whitening actually cost? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which teeth whitening method is right for you and your budget. In this post, we will take a closer look at the costs of different teeth whitening methods, from at-home kits to in-chair whitening treatments, to help you make an informed decision. So, if you are ready to flash those pearly whites, let’s get started!
Types Of Teeth Whitening
It is common for people to assume that their teeth appear yellow due to surface stains, when in reality, their natural tooth colour may simply be yellow. Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure which uses an oxidation reaction to lighten the natural colour of your tooth enamel, resulting in a brighter and whiter appearance of your teeth. However, it is not a cure-all for discolouration, especially if it is external. This means that if your teeth are stained due to external factors such as coffee or tea consumption, teeth whitening may not be the answer. In these cases, your dentist may suggest a dental cleaning to remove the surface stains before starting the whitening process. If done correctly, teeth whitening can bring lasting results, so it is important to select the right method suggested by your dentist.
In-Chair Whitening
How it works
The in-chair teeth whitening method involves placing a strong whitening gel on the teeth for 15 minutes and activating it with a laser light to whiten their colour. You may need around 3-4 cycles of in-chair whitening, taking a total of about 90 minutes to bring effective results.
What to expect
Even though the results are instant, they are mostly short-lived because the laser light that activates the gel also dehydrates the teeth. This causes a temporary whitening effect as dehydrated teeth also look whiter. But as the teeth constantly come in contact with the saliva in the mouth, they rehydrate and change back to their original colour over time. As a result, you may have to revisit after six months to have your teeth whitened again. If you have naturally darker teeth, the results may be more evident, and you may need to undergo this procedure more often.
Moreover, these procedures are on the pricier side and typically cost between $700 to $1200, depending on the dental practice. At our practice, we seldom recommend this as our go to whitening method as we find our professional take home kits offer a much more permanent whitening result for a fraction of the in chair whitening cost.
Take-Home Professional Kit
How it works
Take-home professional teeth whitening kits are our go-to option for the most long lasting whitening results. Popular among people who want to whiten their teeth at their convenience. Your dentist will take the impression of your teeth using a mould, which is then used to create custom-fit, thin clear trays to wear over your teeth. Inside the trays, you will apply a whitening gel that is available in two forms: one that can be used overnight and another that can be used for two hours during the day. The product you choose will depend on your lifestyle and preferences.
What to expect
One of the key benefits of take-home professional teeth whitening kits is that the trays are made to fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring the product does not get on your gums and allowing for a stronger concentration of the gel without causing any harm. This makes the procedure both effective and safe. People have reported experiencing little sensitivity during the procedure, and you can use the product for as long as you want to achieve the desired results. Dentists usually recommend using the product for 1-2 weeks, but some people use it for up to 4-8 weeks if they want an even whiter shade.
Once you achieve the desired results, the colour change is permanent and your teeth will not revert to their previous shade. This procedure does not have any dehydrating effects on your teeth that make them appear whiter, so any change in colour is the true colour of your teeth. Prices for a take home professional kit range from $300-$500 at most dental practices. At Whitehorse Dental, we are able to offer the take home professional whitening kit at a reduced price of $189. We have invested in technology to allow us to make the custom trays in house, allowing us to pass on the savings to your patients.
Over-The-Counter Products
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are a less expensive alternative to professional treatments, but they are not as effective. These products come in the form of store-bought kits with lower concentrations of peroxide-based gel as compared to custom-made kits. This is because high concentrations can irritate the gums and should only be in contact with the teeth themselves.
When choosing over-the-counter teeth whitening products, it is necessary to keep in mind that the results may take longer to appear due to the lower concentration of peroxide-based gel. In fact, if the product is labelled as peroxide-free, it is unlikely to produce noticeable results at all.
Natural Remedies
While natural remedies for teeth whitening, such as using lemon, baking soda, and strawberries, may seem like a safe alternative to professional treatments, they can actually harm your teeth. These remedies can make your tooth enamel thinner and do not whiten your teeth. Instead, they simply remove the surface layer of enamel. Whilst this may remove any mild surface stains, it also removes layers of the enamel. Before long, this will result in thin enamel and actually more yellow looking teeth long term. We recommend avoiding any natural remedies, especially if they have ingredients like fruit, lemon or vinegar in it. These are all acidic substances that will damage the tooth enamel, especially if used long term.
Factors that Affect Teeth Whitening Cost
The cost of teeth whitening can vary depending on several factors, such as:
Type of treatment
The type of treatment you choose is one of the most significant factors affecting the cost of teeth whitening. Take-home kits are generally less expensive than in-chair whitening, but they may take longer to achieve the desired level of whitening. However, the results of take-home kits will be more long-lasting. On the other hand, in-chair whitening gives instant results, but you may need to get it redone after six months, increasing your overall costs.
Your choice of dental practice
The cost of teeth whitening may also vary depending on the dental practice you choose. Different dental practices may offer different prices for teeth whitening treatment. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to do your research before making a final decision.
At Whitehorse Dental, we are proud to offer custom take-home teeth whitening kits at an affordable price of $189 for the initial kit. This is made possible by our state-of-the-art machine that allows us to create custom moulds in-house, which means we can pass the savings onto our patients. Since we don’t have to outsource this process, we have complete control over the quality and accuracy of our kits.
The extent of whitening desired
The level of whitening you desire can also affect the cost of your teeth whitening treatment. For example, the initial cost of our take-home teeth whitening kits is $189. If you want to whiten your teeth further, you will need to purchase additional gel for the trays for $90, which will cover two more weeks of treatment.
When Do You Need to Whiten Your Teeth?
Going for teeth whitening is a personal decision for anyone looking for a brighter, more appealing smile. Here are a few reasons you may want to consider teeth whitening:
- If you have a special occasion coming up, you may want to consider teeth whitening to enhance your smile.
- If you have naturally yellow teeth that make you feel self-conscious and you want to make them brighter by a few shades.
- If you have tried at-home remedies such as whitening toothpaste or lemon with little to no success, professional teeth whitening may provide the results you desire.
- If you have recently undergone orthodontic treatment and want to enhance the appearance of your newly straightened teeth, teeth whitening may be a good option.
- If you don’t have extensive dental work done on your front teeth. This is because teeth whitening does not work on crowns, veneers and dental fillings.
Consulting with your dentist can help you determine if teeth whitening is the right option for you and what type of treatment would work best for your individual needs.
Let Us Be Your Partners in Smile!
Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to enhance your smile and make you feel good about yourselves. At Whitehorse Dental, we understand the importance of having a bright and healthy smile. As such, we offer a range of teeth whitening options to suit your needs and budget. Whether you prefer the convenience of in-chair whitening or the flexibility and cost -efficiency of custom take-home kits, we can help you achieve the sparkling white smile you deserve.
We use only the latest and most advanced teeth whitening technology and products, ensuring our treatments are safe, effective, and long-lasting.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a radiant smile.
