If you’ve ever considered professional teeth whitening to brighten your smile, you’ve got a lot of company. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, according to the Colgate Oral and Dental Health Resource Center.
Teeth whitening usually involves a peroxide agent, which can remove surface stains and stains just below the enamel, according to the American Dental Association. Other bleaching agents remove stains only on the surface of teeth, so most professional dental whitening procedures are usually done with peroxide.
Although many people choose to whiten their teeth with home kits, professional whitening gel is often stronger. Additionally, the dentist who performs the whitening will probably take care to avoid getting the gel on your gums, which can make them sensitive. Home whitening strips or gel trays can be difficult to control, and inevitably some of the gel will get on your gums. That said, home kits are in many cases much cheaper than professional whitening, costing $20 to $100 at drug and department stores.
Unlike those stores where prices will be displayed prominently, your dentist’s whitening charges are unlikely to be clear upfront. It’s a smart move to look up these prices ahead of time; according to cost comparison website OkCopay, pricing for professional teeth whitening procedures vary wildly. Such variation is common across most health care specialties, including imaging exams and other types of dental work.
Since teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, your dental insurance is unlikely to pay for it as it would for most other dental procedures. Keep in mind also that to get desired effects, you may need more than one whitening session.
The national median price for teeth whitening procedures is $399, according to OkCopay data from 16 metro areas across the nation. The median is a better idea of a midpoint than an average when it comes to procedures, because very high- and very low-priced providers can greatly affect the average.
Speaking of very low-priced providers, some dentists offer whitening procedures at a fraction of the median price. The cheapest teeth whitening procedure in our data set is only $45, located in Portland, Oregon, as is the second cheapest. The Salt Lake City metro area gets kudos for having the most locations on the inexpensive list, with four.
Even if you don’t live in one of these areas, this price comparison is a good place to start. Now you have an idea of what the prices might be like in your area. Remember, when it comes to teeth whitening, more expensive does not necessarily mean better results. Give yourself the time to compare prices in your neighborhood — your wallet may thank you.
Source: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/2015/05/10/how-much-does-teeth-whitening-cost/
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