Who doesn’t love a set of sparking white teeth at all times? Well, to achieve it, one requires proper dental care as several food products, lifestyle habits, and plaque cause stains on the enamel and make them appear yellow. Several teeth whitening products are available that aid in bleaching the teeth to make them appear bright and white. Here is a detailed overview of various teeth whitening treatments available and the procedure cost.
What is teeth whitening?
It implies a complete cosmetic dental treatment that helps eliminate stains and discoloration from the teeth. Some teeth whitening treatments can be done at home, while others may need a visit to a dental clinic to get it performed by the dentist. Let’s know these in detail.
- In-office procedure
As the name denotes, these teeth whitening services are exclusively offered by a professional dental surgeon in their clinic. The services involve the use of high-concentration bleaching solutions along with a combination of heat and light. These in-office treatments are known to brighten teeth faster and provide exceptional results as it makes them three to eight shades lighter. However, if we talk about the teeth whitening cost, this procedure tends to be a bit expensive, with a charge falling between $500 and $1000. Since this is a cosmetic treatment, it doesn’t get covered under insurance. - At-home procedure
At-home teeth whitening methods involve the use of various teeth whitening products like whitening strips, whitening gels, tray-based tooth bleaching systems, as well as whitening toothpaste. These tend to be more pocket-friendly but might take longer periods to show results. Furthermore, the teeth whitening products available to use at home include 3% to 20% carbamide or hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agents.
Different teeth whitening products
Multiple teeth whitening products are available in the market that are known to lighten the teeth temporarily. The most preferred ones are:
- Teeth whitening trays
The product comprises a tray similar to a mouthguard, and it comes with a hydrogen peroxide-based paste or gel. The tray applied with the paste is then positioned over the teeth for 60 minutes or more. Additionally, it can be regularly used for a month to get desired results. The product comes priced between $150 and $600. At a dental clinic, this tray can be made custom-fitted by a dental surgeon. - Teeth whitening strips
This is a complete do-it-yourself method to brighten teeth. The strip formulated with active bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide can be applied directly to the teeth. This product can be applied once or twice a day for continuous 10 to 14 days. The effects of the teeth whitening strip may last for more than four months. - Teeth whitening toothpaste
All kinds of toothpaste are designed in a mildly abrasive form so that they effectively clear discoloration from the teeth. However, whitening toothpaste contains polishing agents that aid in scrubbing off stains from the teeth and are devoid of any bleaching agent. These products also tend to be a cheaper option to achieve white teeth.
In conclusion, if you intend to opt for teeth whitening services, it is significant to consult a dentist and determine what procedure will suit you best as per your requirement and budget.