For many people who are considering cosmetic dentistry but are hesitant to take the plunge, the cost is often the main obstacle. Unlike general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry isn’t always covered by standard dental plans, and some of the more advanced procedures involving crowns and inlays/outlays can cost over $1000. However, if you’re specifically wondering “how much does teeth whitening cost?”, you might be pleased to discover that the prices can be significantly lower than this. Many basic products can be bought from pharmacies and retail outlets, and you’ll also have a few different professional options available at your teeth whitening dental practice, depending on your budget.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Before we find out “how much does teeth whitening cost?”, it might be useful to find out how it works. Teeth whitening helps you to get a brighter, more radiant smile and is one of the most common procedures offered by cosmetic dentistry. Usually, it involves the application of mild abrasives or bleaching agents, in order to polish the surfaces of your teeth and brighten up their color.
Your teeth can change from an off-white to a yellowish-brown color, for a number of different reasons:
- Aging is a major cause, as your teeth will generally lose their brightness as you get older.
- Diet can be another cause of discoloration. Many foods and drinks contain substances that react with the enamel and cause your teeth to change their color.
- Smoking also leads to discoloration, as nicotine and other substances present in tobacco leave stains.
- Trauma to the mouth can cause layers of yellowish dentin to be deposited, in order to protect the enamel from further damage.
What Options Are Available?
There are a number of teeth whitening options available. Which one(s) you choose depends on the results you want, how discolored your teeth are, how much time and money you want to invest, and a number of other factors. If you pay a visit to a local dental professional, like the cosmetic dentist in Sharpstown, TX, they can advise you of the best course of action.
At the most basic level, you can try buying special whitening toothpaste. Many of these products can reduce discoloration over time, particularly the ones with approval from the ADA (American Dental Association). Teeth-whitening strips are also available over the counter, as are some bleaching kits with low concentrations of peroxide.
When you visit a cosmetic dentist, they might offer you at-home teeth whitening. This involves them first molding a special tray to fit your teeth. This tray is then filled with a bleaching agent and is worn for a set period of time each day, for a number of weeks. In-office or chairside, teeth whitening is also available. After a thorough clean and polish, cosmetic dentists will use a higher concentration of bleach, and also sometimes lasers, to enhance the brightness of your enamel. This is usually done in one or two sessions.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
What you pay will vary according to your specific insurance details, your dentist, and which procedures you opt for. Local practices like the dental office in Sharpstown, TX, will offer their own prices, depending on what specific products they use, among other factors. As a general guide:
- Whitening toothpaste is usually no more than $15, and lasts many months.
- A box of teeth whitening strips costs between $20 and $40, and will contain enough to keep you going for a few weeks.
- At-home bleaching kits, bought from a pharmacy, usually cost no more than $100.
- The custom-made at-home bleaching trays offered by your cosmetic dentist will cost around $400, or a bit less.
- In-office teeth whitening procedures generally cost between $650 and $1000.
Visit your cosmetic dentist today and ask “how much does teeth whitening cost?”, and it’ll be the first step on your journey towards the brighter smile that you deserve.
