Teeth whitening is an increasingly popular cosmetic dental procedure. It can significantly brighten your smile and boost your self-confidence.
If you are dreaming of whiter teeth and exploring your options for teeth whitening you might be curious to know how much it costs. Does cheap teeth whitening actually work? Is teeth whitening safe?
In this article I’ll explain why the price of teeth whitening varies depending on the method you choose. In particular, I’ll detail the difference between professional whitening and at home treatments and the typical price you can expect to pay in Brisbane.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
It’s important to understand what is happening during teeth whitening so that you can know what to expect in terms of results.
The process of teeth whitening typically involves the application of a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching agent breaks down stains on the teeth which results in a whiter appearance.
Depending on the whitening method used, your results can be immediate or might develop over time. Done correctly, teeth whitening is a simple, pain-free procedure and one of the fastest ways to improve your smile.
If you decide to get teeth whitening, you will need to choose whether to get a dentist to perform the service or to use an at-home kit.
Professional vs. At-Home Whitening Options
Professional whitening offers faster results, and typically more dramatic results. However, professional whitening comes at a higher cost which I will explain soon.
If you are seeking an immediate, noticeable change, then professional whitening is the way to go.
Dentists can use stronger bleaching agents than those available in at-home kits. Importantly, a reputable dentist will know how to ensure you get safe treatment that doesn’t threaten the health of your teeth or responsibly inform you if teeth are not suitable for whitening.
At-home kits are cheaper, but usually require multiple applications to see noticeable results. That’s not to say that at home kits are ineffective but convenience and the affordability aspect are probably the main reasons to use them.
I would suggest you still check with a dentist before you begin using an at-home kit to make sure your teeth are suitable for whitening and that you are choosing a reputable and safe product.
Factors Influencing Teeth Whitening Costs
The cost of teeth whitening varies based on several main factors:
- The method of whitening (professional, or at home)
- The brand and quality of product
- The experience and reputation of the dentist (if choosing professional whitening)
Like most things in life, premium products generally come at a premium price and it’s the same in the world of teeth whitening. Without doing a deep dive into the long list of “not so great” products available I’ll cut to the chase with the two brands we recommend. Those brands are “Zoom!” for professional whitening and “Opalescence” for at home kits.
The reason I recommend these brands is because they get great results and they do it safely.
For Professional Whitening - Zoom!
Zoom! as the name suggests, offers quick results with a whitening session often completed within an hour.
Although results will vary depending on the teeth being whitened, some patients experience whitening of up to 8 shades in just one session.
Importantly, because it is a professional application, the results are likely to be more even than an at home kit.
The results will also be more effective than an at home kit, especially for removing stubborn stains on teeth.
At Home Whitening Kits - Opalescence
Now onto Opalescence, it’s the brand I recommend if you want to try at home teeth whitening and a product we offer at Underwood Dental Care.
While the Opalescence kit is used at home, we create custom moulds for your teeth so that you have teeth whitening trays that fit perfectly on your teeth. The customised trays are used at home with the teeth whitening gel in the kit. Gel is put in the trays which are worn for 30-60 minutes per day after brushing teeth.
One of the reasons I like Opalescence is that the gel is formulated in a way that reduces sensitivity and also strengthens enamel which makes it a comfortable and safe whitening product.
In terms of whitening results, teeth can be whitened up to several shades using the at home kit.
Expertise of the Dentist
If you choose to get your teeth professionally whitened it is important to choose an experienced and reputable dentist.
Dentists know how to offer teeth whitening to be safe and consider issues such as enamel sensitivity and the types of stains being treated. Perhaps most importantly, a dentist will be able to advise when teeth whitening is not a good option because the results will be ineffective or short lasting.
A skilled dentist will make sure that gums are protected and that no damage is done to teeth. post-treatment care, reducing the chances of discomfort or damage.
The cost of teeth whitening is not just based on the product being used but also the precision of application and the results achieved. You may also wish to consult with your dentist about other cosmetic dentistry options and longer lasting teeth whitening that can be achieved with a treatment such as porcelain veneers. That way you can weigh up the pros and costs of your investment with the quality and longevity of the results achieved.
Average Costs of Professional Teeth Whitening in Brisbane
Rightio, this might be the bit you really want to know. How much should you expect to pay for professional teeth whitening in Brisbane?
The price for Zoom! Professional teeth whitening in Brisbane ranges from $400 to $1000 for an in chair teeth whitening session. Even within a clinic the price can vary depending on the dental services provided as part of the treatment. For example:
- Consultation
- Preparatory work such as cleaning and oral health checks
- Number of in-chair sessions
Post-treatment maintenance products
Price of Take Home Teeth Whitening Kits
The cost of an Opalescence take home kit from our clinic in Underwood is $150. That kit includes a one size fits all mouth tray to use with the whitening gel. That tray is suitable if you have reasonably straight teeth.
For teeth that are crowded or uneven we typically advise using a custom made mouth tray to ensure even and effective distribution of the whitening gel. The cost of the take home kit with custom made trays made for you is $300.
Are At-Home Whitening Kits Effective?
The fast answer is yes, we wouldn’t offer them if they didn’t work. Their affordability makes the kits popular but as mentioned earlier.
The results are not as dramatic or achieved as quickly as with in-chair treatments but you can still achieve several shades of whitening.
Zoom Teeth Whitening | Opalescence Take-Home Kits | |
|---|---|---|
How quickly are results achieved? | Immediate (45–60 min). Walk out of the dental clinic with whiter teeth | Gradual (1 to 2 weeks to start seeing results) |
How much will teeth be whitened? | Up to 8 shades | 3 to 5 shades |
How long will results last? | 1 to 2 years (with maintenance) | Several months |
What is the cost? | $800 | $150 (One size fits all take home kit)
$300 (Custom made trays) |
Are there sensitivity issues? | Mild to moderate depending on the recipient. Desensitising gel helps keep sensitivity to a minimum. | Mild (custom trays reduce gum irritation) |
Does it require a professional? | Yes, professional treatment by dentist | Partial (dentist can custom make trays to be used at home for best results) |
What about cleaning deep stains? | High (removes stubborn stains) | Moderate |
How convenient is it? | Single in-chair session, no daily upkeep required | Use at home at your convenience |
What technology is used? | LED light activation | Custom trays with gel |
Generally, if someone wants fast teeth whitening, or the whitest teeth they can get, we would recommend in chair whitening.
If someone has straight-ish teeth, and we are comfortable with a stock tray, the one size fits all take home kit is suitable. We just want the gel to evenly distribute around the teeth.
The custom made trays are highly advised for patients with crowded or uneven teeth so that the gel used in the take home kit can distribute evenly around teeth.
Payment Plans
At Underwood Dental Care we offer payment plans for all of our services, including teeth whitening. Payment plans make it possible to pay for services in installments over time, which can make it easier to budget.
Long-Term Costs and Maintenance Treatments
Teeth whitening is not a one-time investment in so much as the results don’t last forever. Teeth will stain again and change colour as the months and years go by so you may wish to discuss a maintenance plan with your dentist.
With proper care and good oral hygiene, teeth whitening results can last up to a couple of years. Factors like age, diet and drink choices (coffee, red wine etc.) can affect how often maintenance is needed.
So if white teeth are very important to you, then you will probably need to budget for whitening treatments every couple of years.
Is Teeth Whitening Worth the Cost?
Choosing a dentist for your whitening should give you peace of mind that your treatment will be effective and safe.
Whiter teeth are generally associated with good health and attractiveness. So for most people a whitening treatment does give a boost in confidence and self esteem.
If having a whiter smile gives you the confidence to smile more, that’s fantastic. If it brings you joy to see your whiter teeth every time you look in the mirror, that’s fantastic too.
Ultimately the value of teeth whitening is subjective, but the growth in popularity of teeth whitening in recent years suggests many people see the value.
Are You Considering Teeth Whitening?
Hopefully this article has given you some idea of what to expect with teeth whitening costs. If you take away one thing from this article I suggest that it’s the importance of chatting with your dentist before you pursue teeth whitening.
For our patients at Underwood Dental Care we are happy to answer any questions you have about teeth whitening during your regular check up and clean. If you would like to visit us for specific consultation about your teeth whitening options we are happy to do that too.
If you decide to whiten your teeth, we will discuss your options along with realistic expectations of what to expect and make sure you whiten your teeth in a safe way.
Article by Dr Ben Thai (Principal Dentist at Underwood Dental Care & Queensland Veneers & Aligners)
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