Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment either at the dentist or using at home whitening. The cost of teeth whitening can vary depending on the type of treatment, but it usually costs between $500 and $1,500 in Australia. In this article we will explain what teeth whitening is, the types of teeth whitening treatments and how much it costs.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a whitening procedure that lightens the colour of your teeth, removes stains and discoloration. It is a cosmetic procedure that bleaches the tooth enamel and affects the underlying dentin by using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Sometimes the teeth whitening process also uses a light or laser to activate the bleaching agent and speed up the process.
Types of Teeth Whitening Treatments
There are basically two types of teeth whitening categories – professional with a dentist, and at home treatments. Professional teeth whitening tends to be considered the most effective and quickest method of teeth whitening. We explain the types of teeth whitening treatments available, what is involved, how long it lasts and approximate costs here.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is performed by a dentist or dental nurse and involves applying bleach and a laser to the teeth. There are two methods of professional teeth whitening. One is performed in the dentist chair, such as Zoom Teeth Whitening, and the other is the dentist making custom made trays for you to take home. The two types of professional teeth whitening are:
In Chair Teeth Whitening
- What is it?
This process is one of the most popular teeth whitening treatments as it is the most effective and longest lasting way to whiten teeth. In chair teeth whitening involves going to a dental clinic and having a consultation with the dentist or dental nurse. The colour of your teeth will be assessed and approximate teeth whitening results will be assessed. The dentist will protect the gums with a vaseline coating and cotton wool prior to applying the whitening gel made of hydrogen peroxide. A blue light or laser light is then used to activate the whitening gel and help whiten teeth. The laser is left on the teeth for 20 minutes and then the whitening gel is removed and reapplied and the laser used again. This process usually happens four times to achieve maximum whitening results. - How much does it cost?
In Chair teeth whitening costs between $500 and $1500 in Melbourne. Some dental clinics offer introductory specials on in chair teeth whitening for around $500 to $600. - How long does it last?
In chair teeth whitening can last for 6 months to 2 years depending on oral hygiene and individual habits. The dentist will recommend after care guidelines to maintain whiteness.
Custom Trays
- What is it?
Custom teeth whitening trays are made by the dentist. First impressions of the patient’s teeth are taken to create a mold. The molds are used to create the custom made trays from a thin, flexible plastic. The dentist then provides the molds with a whitening gel made from either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to be used at home. - How much does it cost?
Professional custom trays and whitening gel from a Melbourne dentist usually cost between $400 to $500. - How long does it last?
Custom trays for teeth whitening are not quite as effective compared to in chair whitening. However they do last for about 12 to 18 months which is longer than over the counter whitening treatments.
At Home Teeth Whitening
At home teeth whitening is a whitening treatment you buy over the counter and use at home. While not as effective as professional whitening at a dentist clinic, some at-home teeth whitening treatments can help remove stains and lighten teeth over time. At home teeth whitening includes everything from over the counter whitening strips and whitening trays to home recipes like baking soda.
Whitening strips
- What is it?
Teeth whitening strips are a thin plastic coated with gel that contains a whitening agent like hydron peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The strips are placed across the teeth and the gel comes into contact with the enamel and whitens it. The whitening agent penetrates the teeth surface and breaks down the pigments that cause staining. Whitening strips typically contain a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide, generally ranging from 3% to 10% compared to in chair professional whitening which uses about 40% peroxide. - How much does it cost?
Whitening strips bought over the counter generally cost between $15 and $30 for a one week treatment kit. - How long does it last?
You can usually start to see results with whitening strips in about a week. If used according to directions, and depending on the type and severity of stains, whitening may last for up to 6 months.
Whitening toothpaste
- What is it?
Whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains and brighten teeth. This over the counter toothpaste usually has ingredients like silica and baking soda that are abrasives to remove stains, and small amounts of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide for bleaching. To remove stains, replace with regular toothpaste and brush teeth well twice a day. - How much does it cost?
The average cost of tooth whitening toothpaste is $5 to $20. - How long does it last?
Whitening toothpaste needs to be used on a regular basis to see any results. You can usually see results after 2 to 6 weeks. With regular use, whitening toothpaste can keep stains at bay and a whiter appearance for up to 4 months.
Whitening trays
- What is it?
Over the counter whitening trays are thin plastic trays that hold a whitening gel and are placed over the teeth. The plastic trays hold the gel in place and connect it to the surface of the teeth. Some teeth whitening trays are pre-filled with the whitening agent, while others come with syringes of whitening gel that can be dispensed as needed by the user. - How much does it cost?
Over-the-counter teeth whitening trays typically cost between $30 and $100 depending on the brand that you choose. - How long does it last?
Over the counter whitening trays are not as effective or long lasting as professional custom trays from the dentist for teeth whitening. However they can provide some teeth whitening which may last for a few months.
Additional Treatments
Prior to professional whitening treatments, there may be some additional treatments before and after the dentist recommends.
Pre-whitening treatment
- Teeth cleaning: Prior to in chair teeth whitening, some dentists recommend a clean and scale to achieve the best results of the whitening treatment. This can cost between $75 and $400 depending on the level of treatment.
- Treatment for gum disease: Prior to a teeth whitening at the dentist, any gum disease will most likely need to be addressed. Getting gum disease under control will avoid any further irritation or complication. The cost of treatment for gum disease can be anything from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the disease and treatment necessary.
Post-whitening maintenance
To maintain results, follow-up treatments or products might be necessary, adding to the long-term cost. The cost of post whitening maintenance could be as little as $10 for a whitening toothpaste to hundreds of dollars for touch up treatments.
Factors Affecting Teeth Whitening Cost
There are a variety of factors that affect the cost of teeth whitening from the type of treatment to location and even the experience of the dentist. The different elements that may affect the price of teeth whitening are:
- Type of treatment: A professional teeth whitening treatment is more expensive than an over the counter treatment.
- Location of treatment: Teeth whitening can cost more or less depending on the location. Teeth whitening in a large city will most likely be more expensive than teeth whitening at a suburban dentist.
- Experience of dentist: Experienced dentists that are sought after and experts in their field may sometimes charge more for teeth whitening than less experienced dentists.
- Severity of discolouration: The extent of staining and discoloration can heavily impact the cost of whitening. Severely stained teeth may take longer to whiten, requiring more extensive treatments.
- Length of treatment: Whether using at home treatments or a professional dental treatment, the length of treatment will impact the final cost. The longer the time in the chair, the more it may cost.
How To Pay For Teeth Whitening
As teeth whitening is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, it may not be covered by private health insurance. However, some private health providers may offer comprehensive policies with limited coverage for cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening. To organise a payment plan, Afterpay is also available or credit card payments.
Are There Any Risks Involved with Teeth Whitening?
Though teeth whitening is generally considered safe especially when done by a professional, there are some small risks involved. These include temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation which dissipate soon after the treatment is finished. Very rarely, teeth whitening can affect the enamel of the teeth when excessive use of the whitening agent thins the enamel and makes it more prone to decay.
Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure that reduces stains and makes teeth look brighter and whiter. There are teeth whitening treatments that can be done at home and professional treatments in the dental clinic. The cost of teeth whitening can vary depending on the type of treatment, location, and personal oral hygiene. At Hawthorn Road Family Dental in Caulfield, the professionals are experts at teeth whitening and offer competitive prices for the whitening treatment.
