How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
Our teeth naturally become dull and yellowed over time. The foods we eat, the beverages we drink and even some medications can cause staining. Good hygiene and regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings can help keep the staining at a minimum but whitening your teeth will bring back the youthful brilliance of bright teeth!
Whitening can vary in price depending on the type you choose to use. Over the counter products can be less costly but in-office valparaiso teeth whitening has more drastic immediate results and takes less time. Both at home and in-office whitening are effective but the cost is drastically different. It comes down to how much you are willing to spend for convenience and instant gratification.
Why Choose Professional Whitening
In-office whitening has its advantages. It takes significantly less time and the results are more immediately obvious. You should plan to spend an hour to an hour and a half in the dental chair. The time frame is dependent upon how far from your desired results at the start. If you do not have a big shade difference, you may only take an hour to treat. Professional whitening uses a higher concentration of peroxide in the whitening solution so the results are more quickly achieved. In-office whitening can range between $250 and $1000, depending on the type of whitening you need.
Professional whitening solutions have a higher concentration of carbamide peroxide, between 16 and 22 percent. The higher concentration helps whitens your teeth more quickly and your progress is monitored by your dentist or dental assistant. They also are able to protect your gum tissue from the effects of the peroxide, which can burn the soft tissue a little. Some patients experience “zingers” while going through treatment.
Over the counter treatments cannot be monitored by a dental professional, it is important to discuss treatment with your dentist before you begin at-home whitening. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are even a candidate for home whitening or if you would be wasting your time and money.
There are some discolorations that whitening cannot remove. For example, Tetracycline teeth will not respond to most whitening treatments but there are some more extensive options. You also want to keep in mind that if you have dental crowns or veneers, they will not whiten with any treatment at all.
Over the counter treatments run between $10 and $60, spanning from gums and toothpastes to whitening strips and trays. Whitening trays and strips are worn for 30 minutes to an hour each day for up to two weeks. Once you achieve the shade you want, you can stop whitening.
If you are prone to sensitivity, the gradual whitening of at-home treatments may be the better option for you. Using toothpaste with baking soda will help make your whitening treatment last longer as will limiting your intake of staining foods and drinks so that you get the most out of your investment!
More Information on Teeth Whitening : How Does Teeth Whitening Work?