How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost (Prices) - Professional Vs At Home (2024)

No matter how healthy our teeth may be, yellow staining can still occur, and we can’t do anything to stop it. That can impact our self-confidence and can even make us feel embarrassed to smile and show our teeth. But, nowadays, with the advancement in the technology and with the enhanced dentistry procedures, there are many solutions for the undesirable yellow appearance.

In addition to the professional whitening treatments, the home alternatives are becoming more and more popular. Because we care about your beautiful smile, we have reviewed many alternatives and created a useful list to help you find the best whitener.

Teeth Whiteners (At Home)

After reviewing many options, we have narrowed the choices down to a very few of them, and we determined their effectiveness and their associated cost.

Different Types

• Whitening gels and stripes – Nowadays, whitening gels and strips are probably the most popular solutions. The gel contains hydrogen peroxide and can be easily applied to the teeth surface with a brush. Each product has its usage instructions, and you should make sure to follow each step. The stripes, on the other hand, are very thin and transparent and covered with a gel whose main ingredient usually is the hydrogen peroxide as well. They also come with included instructions, and you can expect to see the initial results in 2-3 days.
• Whitening toothpaste – We use them on an everyday basis. Many are enriched with additional components, such as various polishing ingredients that enhance the whitening process and remove many stains from the teeth’s surface. They usually contain hydrogen peroxide that can effectively lighten the tooth’s enamel.
• Whitening rinses – The rinses are similar to the traditional mouthwashes. Usually, they are also peroxide-based products that besides whitening the teeth, can successfully help in the battle against plaque and gum diseases. Ideally, you should swish it in your mouth twice per day, before brushing the teeth.
• Charcoal products – Active charcoal might be the most attractive ingredient that’s part of the whitening products. It’s oxidized charcoal, and it doesn’t contain any toxic elements. Usually, it comes in the form of powder, but it can also exist as a toothpaste or gel.

Effectiveness

Each of the abovementioned whitening solutions varies regarding their efficacy. Although, in general, there can be visible results after a few days of usage, the final result will depend on many factors.

Each product has different ingredients that have a disparate impact on the overall whitening process. The whole process also depends on the level of staining of your teeth and how prone to absorbing substances they are. Depending on the teeth’s nature, it may take longer for some to be wholly whitened.

For the products to work, no matter the teeth’s nature, they have to be used as frequently as it is stated in the instructions. Some may require a constant usage of 2-3 months for the final positive effect.

Also, if you lower the intake of coffee, tea, red wine and you decrease the number of cigarettes you smoke per day, you might increase the whitener’s effect. That’s because these substances are the leading causes of teeth’s staining.

Cost

The same as the effectiveness, the whiteners’ prices will also vary for each product. They are made of different ingredients, and in general, their cost can be priced anywhere between $10 and $1000.

A lot of people have different budget limits, and therefore, they can choose from their spectrum of availability. A huge role in their final price has the brand itself. Sometimes you might end up overpaying for a product just because of its name.

However, they say that quality comes at a price and usually, that’s true no matter what is the underlying product. Therefore, before buying the product, you should carefully consider all of the alternatives, and it may be wise to invest in a bit more expensive product.

After all, the teeth are our most valuable asset, and we should provide them with the most ultimate care to keep them perfectly healthy. Oh, and a beautiful smile won’t hurt us.

Professionally Done (At Dentist)

If you want your teeth to be professionally taken care of, then you should pay a visit to your dentist. Many dentists use different techniques and products, but usually, the procedure’s steps are similar.

Different Types

• Chairside bleaching – This is the most common technique used for professional bleaching of your teeth. The dentist usually applies a stronger gel that contains hydrogen peroxide and uses a unique laser that will increase its effect. For the best results, the treatment is repeated up to three times, each of which it lasts up to 90 minutes, but not less than 30. The duration and the repetitions depend on how much whiter you want your teeth to be.
• Non-vital whitening – This treatment is used when a tooth has undergone a root canal procedure. In such a case, the staining comes from the inside of your tooth, and it cannot be treated by applying gel on the surface. Instead, the whitening substance is put inside the tooth, and it is secured with a filling that should last for several days. Depending on your desires, the procedure can be done more than once.

Effectiveness

The professional whitening is quite useful and can be time-saving compared to the home solutions. When using home products, you might need to wait for three months for the final result, while the professional procedures can even show results after the third treatment.

However, you should also avoid consuming food and beverages that create stains, such as coffee, red wine, etc. The treatment’s effectiveness will also depend on the nature of your teeth and the in-office systems that your dentist will use.

Your dentist should help you choose the one that works the best for you. The outcome will be nicely polished teeth and a beautiful smile.

Cost

Compared to the home alternatives, the professional services will be priced more expensively, which is quite reasonable. In addition to the whitening products, the procedure’s price includes the dentist’s services as well.

Usually, for one visit that lasts up to two hours, you may end up paying a price that will range anywhere between $400-$600. So, if you need three visits, you will need way more than $1000 to cover all the expenses.

The final price incorporates the dentist’s reputation as well as the product’s brand quality. However, if you opt for professional alternative, we recommend spending a few more bucks for getting a high-quality solutions and an outstanding service.

Comparing At Home vs. Dentist

After reviewing them separately, we have also made a comparison between the two alternatives and in continuation, you can read our conclusion.

Which is Better

Both of the solutions have their advantages and disadvantages. Your decision will depend on your preferences regarding the level of whitening you require and your budget allowance.

However, the professional treatments are tailored to fit more the individuals with healthy gums and teeth. If you suffer from any tooth decay, the whole procedure may be painful, because the gel is highly concentrated.

The dentist is obliged to thoroughly check your oral health and further guide you to what’s next. Any potential oral diseases have to be appropriately healed before starting any whitening procedure.

Also, not all of the stains can be successfully removed with the in-office methods and you may want to consider dental veneers or other similar cosmetic treatment.

Home whiteners, on the other hand, do not incorporate any restrictions regarding who can buy the products and are readily applicable. They can be purchased over-the-counter and used without the help of a professional.

However, depending on your overall oral health, you should be careful how you use them because some can also cause you a bit of an unpleasant pain. Therefore, you might want to go for a routine check-up and examine your oral condition before proceeding towards using special whiteners at home.

Price

One of the significant factors that impact the buying decision is the whitener’s price. Before buying the right one, you should carefully review all of the alternatives and choose the one that will come at an affordable cost.

The professional treatments, as any other dental procedure will depend on the type of method, your particular preferences, and the dentist’s services. The cost of every dental insurance is far higher than the home alternatives.

The whitening treatment is considered as a cosmetic procedure, and as such, it cannot be even covered by dental insurance. Have in mind that you will bear its whole cost and on average it may even reach a price of $650.

On the other hand, as we have said, the home whiteners can be bought over-the-counter and therefore are available at a more reasonable price. Their starting price is $20, and it can go up to $100 on average.

You can also opt for home products that are provided by the dentists, and that is a more expensive alternative to the home products. Their average price can go up to $400.

Before choosing the final alternative in terms of its cost, it is wise to consult with your dentist regarding what will suit you the best.

Our Final Thoughts

The teeth’s yellow appearance can be a real pain in the neck. We want our teeth to be entirely white and to be in a perfect condition. Therefore, it’s crucial to make the right decision about your preferred method. You can choose to do it at home or to turn to the dentist for a professional treatment.

Whichever alternative you choose, make sure that will satisfy all of your needs and will come at a cost that fits in your budget framework. We hope that with our reviews we have managed to help you make the right decision and that your teeth will appreciate your choice.