How Much Does Professional Teeth Whitening Cost? 3 Facts You Can’t Miss!

The benefits far exceed the professional teeth whitening cost for many. Statistics indicate that over 37 million people used a teeth whitener in 2020 alone. It's touted as the most desirable cosmetic dentistry treatment. In fact, 41 percent of individuals had this cosmetic dental procedure done. And there's a good reason for the popularity of teeth whitening. Let's discuss!

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is much more complex than merely changing the color of your teeth. It works by causing a chemical reaction that targets the staining.

The whitening product consists of either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. With the carbamide peroxide, the solution breaks down into hydrogen peroxide whenever it comes in contact with the saliva in your mouth.

Hydrogen peroxide penetrates your tooth enamel and reaches the staining. When it meets with the color molecules, a reaction occurs that breaks down the stain so it's not as dark and noticeable.

How much it breaks down depends on the degree of the staining, the potency of the whitening agent, and how long the solution remains on the teeth. Bear in mind that a dental professional will only leave it on your teeth for a designated amount of time to prevent any undesirable effects.

Fact One: There Are Major Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

A professional teeth whitening treatment can enhance your smile drastically. You'll be more willing to smile brightly because you'll no longer be self-conscious when you speak or smile.

As you age, your teeth darken due to staining and a loss of enamel. A dental-grade solution can whiten your teeth and give you a more youthful appearance.

When you go to the dentist for professional whitening, the practitioner will examine your teeth and make sure the procedure is safe for you. And a white smile is an accessory that never goes out of style!

Fact Two: There Are Different Types of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments

You have more than one option for a professional teeth whitening treatment. You may choose to have the teeth whitening procedure performed either in the office or choose an at-home teeth whitening option.

When you choose the in-house teeth whitening solution, the dentist will apply a guard to your gums and paint the solution on each tooth. In some cases, the dentist will apply a specialized light to the bleach to enhance the results.

If you select the at-home professional whitening kit, your dentist will fit you for a customized tray and send you home with a teeth bleaching agent. Your gums are then protected thoroughly, and you can perform the cosmetic dentistry procedure on yourself in the comfort of your home.

You must follow the dentist's instructions carefully to avoid any damage to your teeth or gums.

Fact Three: Professional Teeth Whitening vs Over The Counter

While professional teeth whitening and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments are similar, professional teeth whitening performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist or given to you by the dentist has its share of benefits.

Potency

When compared to OTC teeth whitening products, the potency of professional teeth whitening products is higher. Both whitening treatments use the same active ingredients, and these have been deemed safe by the American Dental Association (ADA).

However, dentists may offer a much stronger solution since it's more controlled when given in a dentist's office. The ones you find in stores only contain between 3 and 20 percent of the active ingredient.

On the other hand, the solutions you receive at the dentist's office contain between 15 and 43 percent of the active ingredient. As a result, you benefit from more dramatic results in a quicker timeframe.

OTC Whitening Products Tend to Only Address Minor Stains

The over-the-counter tooth whitening products tend to only address minor surface teeth stains. Therefore, if you have moderate to severe staining or discoloration, those products may have little to no effect. However, the dental-grade options can target the more difficult staining.

Gum Irritation

The bleaching agent from an OTC product may come in contact with your gums and irritate them. When a dental professional performs the treatment or gives you a kit to use, there are guards to protect your sensitive gum tissue.

Customized Treatment

When you visit a dental professional, even though the professional teeth whitening cost is higher than DIY products, you receive a customized treatment approach as opposed to the one-size-fits-all option of at-home teeth whitening kits.

This is especially important if you have sensitive teeth. The dental professional can determine where the staining is the worst and target problematic areas. Overall, you tend to get a more evenly white smile when you opt for a professional tooth whitening service as opposed to the at-home whitening gel, whitening toothpaste, or whitening strips.

Proven results!

By visiting a dentist, you know you'll get results. The kits you purchase may not provide you with any results. Also, when you see a dentist, the practitioner evaluates your teeth, so you know if you have any dental problems that need to be addressed first or if whitening is safe for you at all. You don't have that benefit with over-the-counter teeth whitening products.

Plus, the dentist controls how frequently you bleach your teeth with the professional option. Your provider will only let you get the procedure as often as it is safe for your teeth. OTC products don't have that safety measure since you can use them as much as you want, which may lead to damage to your tooth enamel. It's easy when you're doing it at home to overdo it, which isn't safe.

How to Find a Good Teeth Whitening Dentist

The benefits of professional teeth whitening are numerous. But, you'll only receive the optimal level of benefits when you choose a good cosmetic dentist for the procedure.

Begin by searching for the best teeth whitening dentists in your area. Once you've found a few options, you can look at each one's website and Google Business Profile listing. Take time to learn more about each practitioner, their education and training, and their experience.

Read online reviews about each dentist and see what other people thought about him or her.  Narrow your choices to a few options. Call these providers and ask any questions you have.

It also helps to schedule a consultation with your top choices and see which one you mesh with the most. This way you can get to know the practitioners and see which one you feel most comfortable with.

Ready to get started with professional teeth whitening? Schedule a virtual tooth whitening consultation with VIP Smiles today to see why the professional teeth whitening cost is well worth it for much whiter teeth!

One professional teeth whitening treatment can boost your confidence and make you feel better about your smile for years to come.