Teeth Whitening Prices
First impressions can say a lot about a person, which is why it’s important for your smile to always look it’s best. There is no worse feeling than having brown, discolored teeth, which can greatly affect a person's self-esteem and confidence. Studies have shown that nearly 52% of people are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth, which is why many people choose to get them whitened and has become one of the most common dental procedures.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Having your teeth whitened provides guaranteed results. At the end of the day, a bright smile translates into a bright future, which can affect how you're perceived by others and how you're treated. After you get your teeth whitened, the first thing they’ll notice is your bright and confident smile, which can open new doors and provide you more opportunities.
A beautiful smile will also boost your mental health. Stressing over your physical appearance can eventually cause a person to develop mental health issues. If you're self-conscious or constantly find yourself worrying about your smile, it can affect your self-esteem, along with your self-worth.
Having a bright beautiful smile also will reflect your dental health. Neglecting your teeth can lead to significant health problems later in life, which includes mouth ulcers, gingivitis, and even organ failure. Teeth whitening procedures allow your teeth to look and feel a lot healthier.
Understanding Teeth Whitening & How It Works
Teeth whitening isn’t exactly rocket science, in which most teeth whitening formulas will contain the same ingredients with the exception of the flavor. Every tooth whitening formula contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, most of which will contain less than 35% hydrogen peroxide and no more than 22% carbamide peroxide. The bleaching agent will latch on to your teeth, which causes the discolored molecules to break away and therefore whitens your teeth.
Oftentimes this process has to be repeated in order to deliver the best results, which depends on the severity of your stains and the application being used. The teeth whitening route you choose depends on your budget and the sensitivity of your teeth. Oftentimes people will experience sensitivity after having their teeth whitened, which affects nearly 66% of patients.
This sensation is caused by tooth dehydration, which occurs when the pores of your tooth are open. When your tooth opens, it causes it to lose minerals and hydration, which will commonly occur after you have your teeth whitened. Within 48 hours, your teeth should rehydrate themselves and the sensitivity should reside.
There are dozens of different teeth whitening products, which can be prescribed by your dentist, purchased over the counter, or administered by your dentist. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products include teeth whitening strips, gels, and whitening kits, along with teeth whitening devices, which utilizes patented technology to brighten your smile.
Oftentimes, dentists will perform a wide range of teeth whitening procedures, which include applying professional-quality teeth whitening gels under a specialized professional-grade heat lamp.
Professional Dental Services
Arguably the most effective and quickest test to whiten your teeth is by scheduling an appointment with your dentist who will offer a wide range of services in which teeth whitening prices may vary. Professional teeth whitening services are not only the most effective but also the most expensive. Most dental insurance providers do not cover cosmetic enhancements, which include teeth whitening procedures.
Below is a list of professional dental services, which include cost estimates and benefits.
In-Office Teeth Whitening Prices
Costs: $650 - $1000
In comparison to other dental cosmetic procedures, such as dental implants, enamel bonding, and dentures, teeth whitening is the most affordable option. In-office teeth whitening is performed under the supervision of a dentist. They’ll first remove any plaque on the surface and then they would polish your teeth.
The dentist will also isolate your mouth with gauze to ensure your teeth remain dry and to ensure the whitening solution doesn’t come in contact with your lips, tongue, or cheeks. Your teeth are then coated with the whitening solution, which often has to be left on your teeth for up to 30 minutes. After the whitening process is complete, the dentist will usually apply a fluoride solution to reduce tooth sensitivity.
Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be advised to avoid any foods, which contain high levels of pigment, such as coffee, tomato sauce, mustard, and red wine, along with refraining from smoking and using tobacco products. The difference between at-home options and having professional whitening procedures performed are at-home options often require having your teeth whitened monthly, which typically doesn’t last as long as a professional whitening procedure would. Home products often use inferior ingredients, which tend to be weaker and less concentrated.
In-office whitening procedures are performed in a controlled environment, while under the supervision of a dentist, which leaves little room for error. Most dental insurance plans will not typically cover In-office teeth whitening sessions but may accept payment installments to alleviate the financial burden.
Professional Teeth Whitening Kits
Costs: $100 - $600
Purchasing a professional teeth whitening kit is often the most affordable option, which is definitely more effective than over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if using a professional whitening kit is an option. The customized kit will include teeth-whitening trays specifically designed for your teeth.
After you schedule an appointment with your dentist, they’ll then take impressions of your teeth, which are used to create the customized trays. After your dentist takes the impressions of your teeth, you’ll likely receive your trays within a week. The kit will also include the teeth whitening solution.
You’ll usually be rehired to wear the trays for one hour a day for up to two weeks.
Teeth Whitening at Home & Natural Remedies
Cost Varies
If you have a limited budget to work with, you may want to consider at-home teeth whitening options, which include over-the-counter products and natural remedies. There are many things to take into consideration if you decide to whiten your teeth at home, which includes the strength of the whitening formula and the ingredients it entails. The two most common teeth whitening procedures include using either activated charcoal or baking soda to brush your teeth.
Both of these methods have been practiced for more than 100 years. Over the Counter Teeth Whitening Methods
Teeth Whitening Gels
Cost: $20 - $160
Over-the-counter whitening options are always the most affordable solution. One of the most popular over-the-counter teeth whitening options is teeth whitening gel. You simply fill the tray with the whitening gel, which is then worn for one hour a day for up to four weeks.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Cost: $10 - $80
Teeth whitening strips has become one of the most popular teeth whitening options, which helps restore your teeth to their original color. Each strip contains teeth whitening bleach. The strips themselves are made of polyethylene, which is coated with the teeth whitening solution.
You simply apply the strips by following the directions on the box. The strips are designed to be worn 30 minutes a day for up to a week or as instructed on the box.
Teeth Whitening Pens
Cost: $10 - $80
Teeth whitening pens have been around for more than a decade, which acts similar to teeth whitening strips. The pen is filled with a tooth whitening gel, which is painted onto the teeth. This type of application will take up to 2 hours to see results, which often has to be applied multiple times in order to get the best results.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Cost: $4 - $10
Tooth whitening toothpaste is the most common tooth whitening option, which is affordable and easy to use. Tooth whitening toothpaste will usually cost about the same amount as typical toothpaste, which contains the same ingredients, along with some type of tooth whitening solution. Tooth whitening toothpaste will usually take up to 6 weeks in order to deliver the best results.
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