Counting The Tooth Whitening Cost – Which Method Works Best?

By: Belinda Sinclair



When considering tooth whitening products, it's always wise to count the tooth whitening cost involved. In fact, for many people, the issue of the tooth whitening cost is one of the most influential factors when it comes to deciding which tooth whitening method or product they will invest in.

Professional tooth whitening is rarely cheap but the expertise and experience that comes with a dentist is worth paying for, if you can afford it. For those who are on tight budgets or wish to have more control over the tooth whitening process, home tooth whitening products are available and in most cases are just as effective.

It's all a matter of tooth whitening cost and flexibility. The following is a review of tooth whitening products, their processes, and the necessary tooth whitening cost for each method.

Counting The Tooth Whitening Cost – Professional Laser treatment

Laser treatment is a fairly quick procedure that involves two things. First, a translucent tooth whitening gel is carefully applied to your teeth. A laser light is then used to activate the crystals in the gel to absorb heat from the light and heighten the whitening process. How long the treatment lasts depends on how badly discolored your teeth are.

Laser treatment is effective and immediate. The cost for laser tooth whitening depends on where you live but typically comes in at around $1000.

Counting The Tooth Whitening Cost – In-Office Bleaching

Bleaching methods employed by dentists generate a similar result to laser treatment in that the effects are immediate. Instead of using a laser light to expedite the process, however, dentists will rely solely on a peroxide-based bleaching solution to do the whitening work.

While there is no question that solutions like carbamide peroxide work there is something to be said about the instant whitening effect – it might not be as significant as you think. Sometimes teeth can become dehydrated during the bleaching process and are temporarily lightened as a natural result. Once they come into contact with saliva again, they become re-hydrated and the lightening effect wears off.

This is why some dentists require patients to follow up their in-office treatment with a home-based whitener.Treatment sessions vary, depending on how discolored your teeth are. It may take between 2-6 visits to your dentist to acquire decent results. A tooth whitening cost can range from between $600-$2000 per treatment (not including any extra at-home whiteners).

Counting The Tooth Whitening Cost – ZOOM And Other Home-Based Whitening Trays

A tooth whitening tray makes for a popular home-based tooth whitening tool. It works by being filled with a special bleaching solution (which varies with each brand) then placed over one's set of teeth, either overnight or during the day.

One popular tooth whitening solution made for trays is called ZOOM, so-called because of a patent-pending whitening gel technology that is said to whiten teeth an "average of six shades in three nights." The cost of a dual syringe ZOOM tooth whitening kit is just under $50.00. The zoom tooth whitening cost doesn't include the trays, though; you must be responsible for purchasing or having your own trays made.Other companies offer custom made trays complete with bleaching solutions that will last up to many months. The tooth whitening cost of a kit comes in at between $300-$500.

Counting The Tooth Whitening Cost – Bonding And Porcelain Veneers

Bonding is a tooth whitening system employed by dentists to modify the color and shape of your teeth through the use of a composite resin that they mold over yourteeth. The resin, however, is said to stain and even chip in the long run. Bonding will set you back between $300-$700.

Porcelain veneers are like resin molds in that they are molded and bonded onto stained teeth. They can be shaped in such a way so as to lengthen as well as lighten the appearance of teeth. It usually takes two trips to the dentist to have veneers fully installed on yourteeth. The tooth whitening cost is high too – a porcelain veneer averages $700-$1200 per tooth.

Counting The Tooth Whitening Cost – Whitening Toothpastes And Strips

Whitening toothpastes help keep teeth clean but there is ample evidence to prove they are not as effective at keeping teeth white. There simply isn't enough time for the whitening chemicals present in tooth whitening toothpastes to remain in contact with teeth to whiten them.

As for tooth whitening strips, many manufacturers swear by their effectiveness. However, it must be noted that strips don't actually cover the teeth as extensively as they should. They are designed to cover the front of the teeth but no attempt has been made to design them to reach the nooks and crannies of individual teeth. The result is called "striping" where whitening takes place but only on the areas directly in contact with the strips. This can be highly embarrassing to users.

The tooth whitening cost for whitening toothpaste can be between $3-$7. Strips range between $25-35 per pack.

So there you have it, the most popular whitening methods and their costs. For a closing tooth whitening tip it's worth remembering that there really is no "best tooth whitening product" - many of them are equally effective. And as previously mentioned, a lot of the time it's all about what best suits your budget.

Simply weigh the professional tooth whitening cost with the tooth whitening cost if you pursue a home-based method and let your pockets decide for you.

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