Teeth whitening has proven to be one of the most popular treatments in America, with a proliferation of at-home kits, gels, and strips. Professional whitening treatment is also available, but the question remains, what does teeth whitening cost? And is it worth it? In today’s article, we’ll explore the different options that are available on the market and how much they cost. Your journey to a brighter smile starts now!

Professional Teeth Whitening versus At-Home Whitening

First, let’s take a look at the different treatments on the market. 

At-Home Whitening

There are a bevy of options to choose from if you want to whiten your teeth at home. These options include:
  • Whitening Toothpaste. These are used to remove surface stains and gently polish and remove the stains on the teeth. 
  • Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips & Gels. These clear, peroxide-based gels are applied with a small brush to the teeth or are applied using clear plastic strips. These often contain hydrogen peroxide and are used to bleach the teeth. Care must be taken in order to properly bleach the teeth. Results can be seen within a few days and final results are generally sustained for a few months.
  • Whitening Rinses. These are like mouthwashes, in that they freshen breath, reduce dental plaque and gum disease while whitening the teeth. However, this treatment may not be as effective as other over-the-counter treatments. 

Professional Teeth Whitening

When you go to the dentist to get your teeth whitened they often will use a tray-based tooth whitener. These are filled with a gel-like peroxide that then sits in the mouth in order to bleach the teeth.  You can also take advantage of a quick and powerful treatment that involves applying the whitening product directly onto the teeth and then combined with heat, a special light or a laser. Results can be seen within one 30 to 60-minute treatments. Sometimes multiple treatments are needed. This kind of treatment often is the most long-lasting and sometimes can be the most expensive.

The Cost of Different Treatments

When it comes to at-home or over-the-counter treatments they can run as low as a few dollars for a tube of whitening toothpaste, to as much as $40 for an at-home treatment kit. Each kit often will contain enough strips to last about a week or two.  There are also over the counter tray treatments that can cost up to $100. There can be augmented by a custom-fitted tray from your dentist, which will sometimes cost $400 or less. These solutions can be quite cost-effective but they often do not last as long or offer as dramatic of results. They often need a multi-week commitment to their consistent use in order to be effective. This may not work for everyone’s schedule but that is where in-office treatments can help.  When it comes to professional tooth whitening, cost often is the biggest factor to prevent people from going ahead. The average cost of an in-office teeth whitening is $650, but it can climb to $1,000 or more depending on the type of product used and how much your dentist charges.  For most people, this investment pays off. People will often notice the difference after a single treatment. This is because the bleaching ingredient is much stronger than anything that will be available in the store. Generally, those treatments contain 10% peroxide, while professional treatments contain between 25 and 40% hydrogen peroxide.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening Cost?

Often dental insurances do not cover teeth whitening, as it is considered a cosmetic expense. However many do offer affordable dental plans that may help out with some of the costs. Many dentists will often offer several third-party financing options that can help with the cost of an in-office treatment. If you think that you want to get your teeth whitened, or speak to one of our experts about teeth whitening cost and you live in the Rancho Cucamonga, CA area, give Golden Smiles Dental a call for your consultation at (909) 481-8990. Our expert team will be more than happy to answer your questions.