Teeth Whitening Cost Guide: Know Your Options
Table of Contents
- Laser Teeth Whitening
- Supervised Tooth Bleaching
- At-Home Tooth Bleaching
- At-Home Tooth Whitening
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Prepare to pay between $10 and $1,000 to get your teeth whitened. Options that involve office visits cost more than DIY versions, but they may be safer, more effective, and controlled.
| Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Laser teeth whitening | $1,000 |
| Dentist-supervised tooth bleaching | $300 |
| At-home tooth bleaching | $400+ (varies dramatically) |
| Toothpaste, trips, gels, and trays | $10 to $100 |
Laser Teeth Whitening
Your dentist applies a gel to all visible surfaces of your teeth, and a mouth guard holds your lips away. Sunglasses slide over your eyes, and a bright light shines on your teeth. The gel and the light work together to eliminate stains on your teeth.
Cost: $$$
Light-activated teeth whitening is available only through a dentist's office, and it isn’t cheap. On average, people pay about $1,000 for laser teeth whitening.
Benefits
Your dentist controls the process and can make your teeth as light as you’d like. The results can last for weeks or even months.
Drawbacks
Experts agree that this method is effective, but it’s not right for everyone. For example, the high cost could put it out of reach for some consumers, and insurance companies rarely help you pay for this kind of care.
People with sensitive teeth may also choose to avoid laser teeth whitening. Researchers say combining chemicals and light can leave your enamel feeling weak and thin. Hot or cold drinks could bother you, and touching your teeth together could be uncomfortable.
Supervised Tooth Bleaching
You're not ready for a bright light to shine on your teeth and drive up the costs, but you want a doctor's help as you lighten your smile. In-office tooth bleaching could be right for you.
The process works like this:
Get custom trays. Your dentist takes impressions of your teeth, and they're used to create plastic receptacles for bleaching chemicals.
Fill with whitening products. The trays are filled and then placed on your teeth. Your team might layer cotton or other materials on your gums to keep the agents from harming sensitive tissues.
Wait. You stay in the office while the products do their work.
Repeat. You come back on a schedule set by your dentist for another application of chemicals.
Cost: $$
A process like this costs about $300, and dentists know that it seems like a high price. Some experts soften the blow by offering payment programs, and others offer to bleach just one part of your teeth (like the uppers) to keep the price palatable.
Benefits
Your dentist supervises the process and can ensure that your teeth don’t come out too light or too dark. You can repeat the process as often as you’d like to keep your smile in good shape.
Drawbacks
The high price tag is daunting for some people, especially as insurance policies rarely cover this kind of treatment. You’ll also need to visit a dentist in person for this care.
At-Home Tooth Bleaching
When you choose an at-home product, your dentist makes a set of bleaching trays. You sit for molds of your teeth, and your dentist gives you the completed products and an approved chemical to use.
Cost: varies
Trays and products alone with no supervision aren't remarkably less expensive than supervised versions. Some say at-home trays cost $400. But since dentists set their fees, some might charge as much for this type of teeth whitening as a standard, in-office appointment for tooth care.
Benefits
You'll visit the dentist just once for the trays, and you'll do the work at home. Control the process and stop using the trays when your teeth reach the right color.
Drawbacks
The cost can be an impediment for some people, as insurance companies rarely cover this kind of care. If you break or lose a tray, you must pay more to get a new set made.
At-Home Tooth Whitening Options
Common at-home products include these options:
Toothpaste: Clean your teeth with a substance that also contains an abrasive (like charcoal) or bleach.
Strips: Slide something onto your teeth for a few hours per day, and throw them away when you're done.
Gels: Use an applicator to coat your teeth with something to lighten them.
Trays: Slide a plastic piece over your teeth filled with a substance that can bleach them.
Cost: $
Prepare to pay between $10 and about $100 for products like this, depending on their strength and design. Shop around, and you may get a good deal.
Benefits
You'll save money with this option, and if your teeth are only moderately stained, this could be all the help you need. Shop around to find the right combination of product and price.
Drawbacks
Researchers say that at-home options provide less whitening power than their professional counterparts. Your teeth may get whiter, but they won't be as gleaming and white as they would if you worked with a professional.
Know that products like this tend to be weak. Professional-grade products that lighten your teeth require application by a dental expert.
But diluted products aren't always safe. You could still have sensitive teeth when you're done, and you won't have a dentist available to advise you.
Teeth Whitening Costs FAQs
Prepare to pay up to $1,000 for in-office laser whitening treatments administered by a dentist. This is the most expensive form of tooth whitening available, but it could be the right choice for you if your teeth are very stained.
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and many people feel embarrassed of their brown and stained teeth. A professional cleaning can brighten and whiten your smile, and a dentist can supervise the process and ensure that your mouth stays healthy. At-home options exist, but they tend to be weaker.
No. Most insurance policies consider tooth whitening a purely cosmetic procedure, and they don’t help to pay for it.