Is the Cost of Teeth Whitening Worth It?
The cost of teeth whitening can range from $20 to $1,000, depending on the type of whitening you choose and whether you do it yourself or let a dentist do the procedure. While many people use the cost of teeth whitening alone to decide which method to use, you should look at the benefits and drawbacks of the different types of whitening available and weigh that against the cost.
Teeth Whitening at the Dentist’s Office
This is the fastest way to get a good result. The dental method of teeth whitening will usually involve a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide, which is the agent that actually bleaches the teeth. This method can lighten your teeth from 3 to 6 shades, so you will see a noticeable difference after only 30 minutes to an hour. If your teeth are very stained, you may need additional sessions or you may have to supplement with an at-home whitening kit that your dentist will recommend or provide.
The cost of teeth whitening in the dentist’s office with bleaching gel and trays runs from $400 to $700, depending on the individual dentist and the local area. The average cost is about $550.
Another type of teeth whitening you can get at the dentist’s office, if your dentist offers the treatment, is laser teeth whitening. The gel used is similar to the gel used with the trays, but then a laser is applied that activates ingredients in the gel and allows the bleaching element to get deeper into the enamel. One session is almost always all that’s needed to achieve white teeth. The convenience of getting one treatment and being finished will cost you at least $1,000 almost anywhere you go.
Teeth Whitening At Home
If your dentist gives you a whitening kit, this is the most natural-looking way to achieve whiter teeth. Unlike with the dental tray or laser procedure, your teeth won’t be drastically whiter the moment it’s finished. Instead, it will be a more gradual change over a little bit of time. Many of these kits contain carbamide peroxide which is less harsh than hydrogen peroxide. Often, the gel trays must be worn for a few hours at a time or overnight. Though this method takes longer, the entire kit is usually cheaper, costing somewhere between $150 and $400.
If you purchase your own kit over-the-counter, you’ll pay even less. The cost of teeth whitening this way is usually anywhere from $25 to $100. It may cost a little more because you may need to purchase another kit to get the results you want. The lower-priced kits are less effective, but they will work over time. They take more time than the home kits your dentist would provide, but can show a considerable savings. The biggest drawback to these kits is the lack of a customizable mouth tray that can leave some teeth with better results than others – and that may show when you smile.
The cost of teeth whitening can make you want to go with the cheaper kit, but it’s no bargain if you don’t get the results you were hoping for.
