Interested in professional teeth whitening? Most dental insurance plans won’t pay for cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening. So how much does teeth whitening cost? And what factors into the cost of treatment?
With 30 years of experience, our dentists in Omaha, NE are here to answer your teeth whitening costs questions.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
The cost of teeth whitening usually depends on the whitening method, the frequency of teeth whitening, and whether additional dental treatment is needed.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The Whitening Method: At-Home Vs Professional Teeth Whitening
At-Home Teeth Whitening Cost:
The cost of at-home teeth whitening ranges from $5 to $50, depending on the whitening products you’re using (gels, whitening toothpaste, strips, etc.)
While at-home teeth whitening is more affordable than professional whitening, it’s not as effective and needs to be applied more often. Most whitening solutions contain active ingredients, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, which help to eliminate stains. However, at-home treatments use such a low concentration of these ingredients that it can take weeks or months to see whitening results.
Professional Teeth Whitening Cost:
Depending on your location, the cost of professional teeth whitening is between $400 and $1,500.
With professional teeth whitening, more of the bleaching agent is applied, which means you'll see results after just one dentist visit. Teeth whitening strips you buy at a store contain no more than 10% hydrogen peroxide, while most in-office treatments are composed of 20-40%. How long professional teeth whitening lasts, however, depends on lifestyle and eating habits, as well as the patient’s age.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Interested in how teeth whitening works? Our dentists in Omaha, NE are here to explain.
Eagle Run West Dental Group uses Phillip Zoom! QuickPro for in-office teeth whitening. A 20% hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to whiten the teeth. Then, a sealant layer is applied. After 30 minutes, the whitening gel can be brushed or wiped off to reveal a whiter smile. Because it takes under an hour, Zoom! QuickPro whitening can be added to any regular appointment.
Frequency of Teeth Whitening
No teeth whitening method offers permanent results, so if you want to maintain the brightest smile possible it will require regular teeth whitening appointments. Depending on how often you need teeth whitening services, the cost will differ for your individual situation.
Professional teeth whitening lasts anywhere from six months to three years, depending on how you care for your teeth after whitening. Avoiding foods and drinks that stain teeth (coffee, dark tea, red wine, etc.) will help to extend the results.
Age can also affect your teeth whitening outcome. While teeth whitening is recommended for patients of all ages, results often differ. Teeth whitening may last for years on one patient, while another sees results for half that time. For these patients, teeth whitening may be needed more frequently, which adds to the overall cost.
Cost of Additional Treatments
The cost of teeth whitening may also be affected by whether or not additional treatment is necessary. Professional teeth whitening is not suitable for patients with worn enamel, exposed roots, or gum disease. These issues will need to be treated before whitening.
For some, professional teeth whitening isn’t an option. While most patients are candidates for teeth whitening, it’s best to consult with a dental professional.
Who Is Not a Candidate for Professional Teeth Whitening?
Depending on the type of teeth staining you have, you may or may not be a strong candidate for teeth whitening services. There are two kinds of teeth staining, intrinsic and extrinsic:
Intrinsic staining - Intrinsic stains affect the inner layer of the teeth. In general, intrinsic staining is caused by overexposure to fluoride, trauma to the mouth, or age. Because intrinsic staining is on the innermost layer of the tooth, it’s not likely it can be whitened with at-home or professional treatment. Patients with intrinsic staining will need more extensive dental treatment, such as porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or dental implants.
Extrinsic staining - Extrinsic staining is the result of external causes, including dark-colored foods and drinks, smoking, and age. This staining is superficial, which means it’s easier to whiten than intrinsic stains.
Patients with intrinsic staining are typically not candidates for professional teeth whitening. In most circumstances, inner tooth stains can’t be removed with whitening gels, like Zoom! QuickPro.
Does Insurance Cover Professional Teeth Whitening?
No, insurance does not usually cover professional teeth whitening. Because teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure, it isn’t medically necessary.
Like most treatments that aren’t essential, the patient is responsible for the full cost of treatment. However, some dental practices, such as Eagle Run West Dental Group, offer payment plans to make professional whitening more affordable such as Scratchpay, CareCredit, and Lending Club.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Omaha, NE
Eagle Run Dental Group provides professional teeth whitening in Omaha, NE. With over 30 years of experience, our dentists will evaluate your teeth while answering your questions about the cost of teeth whitening treatment.
For more information, call 402-498-8804 or contact us today!