Professional Teeth Whitening Cost | Colgate® (2024)

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So you brush your teeth twice a day, floss, or clean between your teeth, regularly and thoroughly, but your smile is still not as bright as you would like? A good oral hygiene routine is a great start to preventing teeth discoloration, but there is more to know about protecting your pearly whites. What causes yellowing or staining? Factors like ageing, medications, coffee, tea, and even some of your favourite foods can all contribute to this.

There are different kinds of teeth whitening treatments that your dentist may recommend.

Types of professional whitening procedures

  • In-practice whitening - An in-practice treatment where the whitening gel will be applied to your teeth; the gel will be applied with special care by your dentist because of the strong whitening properties.
  • Custom tray home use- This is similar to the in-practice whitening, but you can do it in the comfort of your own home using a milder whitening gel.

What makes Professional Whitening Different?

You can bring the sparkle back to your smile with prescription gels, over-the-counter products, and professional whitening treatments. All of these whitening methods contain a variety of peroxide compounds, according to the British Dental Bleaching Society. But what makes professional whitening cost a bit more is the difference in the active ingredients found in the whitening agent.

Professional teeth whitening procedures have:

  • Dental Supervision - Before the whitening procedure, your dentist will perform a dental examination to ensure that your gums and teeth are healthy for the treatment and determine if there are any crowns or veneers that will not be whitened.
  • Stronger Whitening Agents - Professional in-practice whitening procedures are carefully monitored and contain a higher concentration of whitening gel. For some patients, this may cause temporary sensitivity and the dentist may place a gel on the gum tissue, so the soft tissues of the mouth are not irritated by the whitening gel.
  • Faster Results - Nevertheless, because the concentration of professionally applied whitening gel is stronger than what you'd get in an at-home whitening product, results are visible immediately rather than several weeks afterwards.

It is essential to know that teeth discoloration may be caused by a specific underlying disease or condition that requires dental therapy. So, visit your dentist for a consultation before choosing a method to brighten your smile.

Who is Professional Whitening for?

The good news is that professional teeth whitening is right for most people with permanent teeth and good oral health. If you do not experience gum sensitivity or receding gums, then you may be less sensitive to chemicals in whitening procedures. In addition, it works well for people with stubborn, yellowish stains but may not always whiten brownish and greyish stains. Whitening treatments are a great option for people who haven't had previous work done to their front teeth; tooth-coloured fillings, crowns, and caps cannot be whitened like the rest of your teeth. You can always consult with your dentist to find out if you are a good candidate and for more teeth whitening options available to you.

Alternative Options

If you can't get professional whitening treatment, don't worry, there are plenty of alternative treatments that can help you improve your smile:

Professional cleaning - Regular dental cleaning helps reduce and may even remove staining on your teeth.

Veneers or bonding - This is a great option if you have had restorative work to the front teeth. Veneers or bonding can help you get the dazzling smile you want.

Over-the-counter whitening products - Whitening toothpaste, kits, and whitening gels are affordable options that can help with minor discoloration.

Is Professional Whitening Worth It For You?

After visiting your dentist and getting the all-clear for teeth whitening, you can begin choosing a method to brighten your smile - this all depends on your budget and preference. If you're looking to flash a smile soon, professional in-practice whitening is a great option. For more sensitive teeth, though, your dentist may recommend a custom-fitted whitening tray to use in the comfort of your home. In addition, there are lots of affordable and convenient over-the-counter whitening products that can help you get to the bright smile you deserve!

Professional Teeth Whitening Cost | Colgate® (2024)

FAQs

Professional Teeth Whitening Cost | Colgate®? ›

In-office professional teeth whitening can cost anything in the range of $500-$1000, with laser teeth whitening costing slightly more on average than simple bleaching. This is significantly more expensive than take-away bleaching kits provided by a dentist for home use, which typically fall in the range of $150-$400.

Is professional teeth whitening worth the cost? ›

The answer depends on your goals and budget. Professional teeth whitening is probably your best bet if you're looking for fast, dramatic results. If you're working with a tight budget or are simply interested in trying out a teeth whitening method, then an at-home kit may be a better option.

Why is dentist whitening so expensive? ›

The cost difference mainly exists due to the lesser efficacy of whitening from at-home products. These products tend to contain lower concentrations of bleaching agents and do not work as good or fast as in-office teeth whitening.

How much does it cost to get perfect white teeth? ›

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
Teeth Whitening TreatmentAverage Cost
In-office whitening$650 for upper and lower teeth;3 internal teeth can cost up to $272 per tooth5
Dentist-provided take-home kits$100 to $4003
Over-the-counter products$20 to $100 per product3
Dec 15, 2023

What is the most cost effective way to whiten your teeth? ›

Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options. If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone.

What are the disadvantages of professional teeth whitening? ›

One of the most common side effects is tooth sensitivity, which can occur during or after treatment. Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can also lead to enamel damage, gum irritation, and discoloration. Additionally, some types of tooth discoloration may not respond well to teeth whitening treatments.

How much should I spend on teeth whitening? ›

According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the average cost for teeth whitening or bleaching under the guidance of a dentist was $508 in 2022, up from $393 in 2019.

Is it better to get your teeth whitened at the dentist? ›

The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

How long does it take to whiten teeth professionally? ›

The answer is somewhere around one hour. This is a minimal amount of time for someone to expect professional whitening results, especially when considering that professional in-office whitening can last upwards of two years.

How much is permanent whitening? ›

The most common type of professional teeth whitening is in-office bleaching, which usually costs between $500 and $1,000 per session with a national average of $650 per visit. Laser tooth whitening is another popular option that typically costs an average of $750 per session, varying between $500 and $1,000.

How do all celebrities have perfect white teeth? ›

Veneers: If you see celebrities with perfectly white, straight, and uniform-looking teeth, they likely have veneers. Unlike teeth whitening, veneers are more permanent. There are various types of materials used, but porcelain and composite are the most common types.

Can yellow teeth become white? ›

Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.

How many sessions to whiten teeth? ›

When choosing in-office teeth whitening, patients often only require one visit annually (at most) to maintain consistently white teeth. Depending on the patient's objectives and the intensity of the stains, the dentist may use multiple applications of the bleaching solution during each session.

What's the cheapest way to get your teeth whitened? ›

Use teeth whitening toothpaste. Choose a toothpaste specially designed for whitening. These pastes include small, abrasive particles that lift stains from the surface of your teeth. Some also contain bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, commonly used in at-home and professional whitening treatments.

What whitens teeth really fast? ›

In-office whitening procedures like Zoom Advanced Power whitening can see immediate results because dentists use a 35% solution of hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with a "light source directly on the teeth to break up all the molecules that cause staining and discoloration," he explains.

Is there anything that really works to whiten teeth? ›

Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.

How long do professional teeth whitening results last? ›

Typically, you will begin to see results some weeks after the procedure. And depending on how you care for your teeth, the result can last as long as six months to three years after the procedure. Teeth Whitening Tip: The results from the procedure and its duration vary from one person to another.

Is it a good idea to get your teeth whitened? ›

If your goal is to get a bright white smile, teeth whitening can be a safe option. But it's important to talk to a dentist first about your options and do your research. Research shows that hydrogen peroxide products might damage proteins in your teeth's dentin layer.

Does professional teeth whitening work better than at-home? ›

Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process

This means that the hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid filled trays, or strips. Dr. Yalamanchili is able to use a stronger process in her office, typically approved for use by dentists only.

Are dentist teeth whitening kits worth it? ›

Professional Teeth Whitening Provides Faster Long-Lasting Results. While at-home kits can take weeks or even months to show noticeable results, professional treatments tend to produce faster. Dentists utilize advanced techniques like laser or light-activated whitening that significantly speed up the whitening process.

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