Your smile is a vital physical feature. We’ve all heard the saying “your smile is worth a thousand words.” This isn’t surprising, as people generally judge you based on your smile. A brilliant white smile may be the confidence-booster you need.
Teeth whitening uses a powerful bleaching procedure to remove deeper stains from tea, fruit juices, coffee, and even tobacco. It is best to whiten your teeth for future veneers or other cosmetic dentistry. This way, future restorations will match your whitened teeth. Depending on the whitening procedure you choose, you can also ensure that your teeth are camera-ready for your next professional headshot or special event.
Are you ready to be blown away? This blog post will review the potential cost of teeth whitening treatments. So, keep your eyes wide open and read the rest!
Content Navigation
- 1 What is Teeth Whitening?
- 2 How Much Do Teeth Whitening Treatments Cost?
- 3 The Difference Between In-Office Teeth Whitening and At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatment
- 4 What to Expect During a Teeth Whitening Treatment
- 5 Who Performs Teeth Whitening Treatments?
- 6 Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
- 7 Are There Potential Risks with Teeth Whitening?
- 8 Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment?
- 9 Final Thoughts
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is the process of making teeth appear whiter by using professional bleaching or other materials. The materials are designed to eliminate stains and other tooth discolouration from the tooth surface. Furthermore, teeth whitening is a minimally invasive, low-cost process, making it one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments. Although teeth whitening is not a permanent solution for discoloured teeth, the effects are almost immediate and can persist for a matter of months if properly cared for.
Most people associate teeth whitening with professionally delivered in-office whitening treatments. However, there are many at-home do-it-yourself whitening solutions or counter products available.
How Much Do Teeth Whitening Treatments Cost?
In-office Teeth Whitening Treatment
The main advantage of in-office whitening is the significant colour change in a short period of time. The dentist applies a relatively high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth after the gums have been protected with a paint-on rubber dam. In most cases, the peroxide sits on the teeth for multiple 15-to-20-minute periods, totalling one hour (at most).
Those with incredibly stubborn stains may be recommended to return for one or more further bleaching sessions or to use a home-use solution. In Victoria, Australia, the average cost of an in-office teeth whitening treatment with a single appointment may range between $199 and $220 per tooth.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
Many dentists consider that a professionally distributed take-home teeth whitening kit will give the best long-term outcomes. Take-home kits include an easy-to-apply lower-concentration peroxide gel that can be left on the teeth for an hour or more (sometimes overnight).
The smaller the percentage of peroxide, the longer it can safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that look like mouth guards. Furthermore, the total treatment cost of take-home whitening trays in Victoria, Australia, could vary between $415 and $600.
The Difference Between In-Office Teeth Whitening and At-Home Teeth Whitening Treatment
The ideal teeth whitening procedure for you is determined by your desired shade, available time, and affordability. Depending on your demands, an experienced dentist will propose the best teeth whitening option for you.
The following are some of the advantages of in-office whitening:
- In-office whitening could be an expensive option since a dentist monitors you throughout the process, and it is the fastest way to see results. While these are all great reasons to get your teeth whitened in dental clinics, they do come at a higher cost.
- Completed under the guidance of a dentist and receiving professional care.
- It’s quick and takes about an hour.
- It has the capability of whitening teeth by many shades in a single session.
Meanwhile, the following are some of the advantages of using take-home whitening trays:
- In comparison, take-home kits are substantially more cost-effective. These trays are truly reusable. Instead of paying for a one-time operation, you already have the trays; all you need is a refill of the whitening gel to fill them with. You may wind up getting 5-6 whitening sessions out of the same trays, all from the convenience of your house too.
- It is more convenient to do it at home in private.
- Whitens teeth gradually and allows for touch-ups as needed.
The disadvantage of conducting your own teeth whitening is the danger of gum and tooth sensitivity if the instructions are not followed correctly. Fortunately, dentists clearly explain how to properly whiten teeth at home and make the process simple with custom-made trays.
It’s vital to note that over-the-counter whitening products aren’t as powerful as in-office whitening, which is why it takes so much longer to achieve the desired results.
Before beginning any whitening procedure, make sure your teeth and gums are in good condition and consult with a dentist to compare teeth whitening options.
What to Expect During a Teeth Whitening Treatment
You will get a professional dental cleaning before beginning your teeth whitening procedure to remove plaque and hardened tartar from your teeth. Dentists perform this not just because plaque and tartar colour your teeth slightly, but also because you will get better results from your whitening procedure if your teeth are as clean as possible before the treatment. The gauze will be placed in your mouth after your teeth have been cleaned to keep them dry. While the teeth whitening gel is safe, it may irritate the sensitive skin on your lips, cheeks, and gums.
As a result, the dentist will most likely use retractors to assist you in relaxing your jaw throughout the procedure while preventing the whitening solution from coming into contact with the sensitive tissues in your mouth. The dentist will also apply a protective barrier to your gums before applying the whitening gel to the front surface of your teeth.
A specialised light is used to activate the gel on your teeth, resulting in better, faster results. While the whitening process takes an hour, you can watch TV or listen to music. Furthermore, while some patients are concerned that their whitening treatment may be uncomfortable, this is not the case. The light may cause a tingling sensation or warmth in you, but it should not be harmful! When your teeth whitening process is complete, your teeth will be rinsed, and you will be able to leave with the whitest smile.
Who Performs Teeth Whitening Treatments?
Tooth whitening cannot be performed by anyone other than a qualified dentist or a dental therapist/hygienist without a prescription. A professional dentist will have had extensive training to comprehend the structures of the mouth and recognise dental disorders to recommend the best treatment plan for their patients.
Since these chemicals sink into the tooth surface, improper usage of teeth whitening chemicals can cause lasting harm to teeth and gums. To protect the public from this form of harm, the individual providing the therapy must be completely dentally qualified and registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
All tooth whitening products used by dentists are safe, tested, and shown to be non-harmful to teeth or gums.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Are There Potential Risks with Teeth Whitening?
The following are some of the potential risks of tooth whitening procedures:
You may suffer discomfort if you have tooth sensitivity.
Assume you already have sensitive teeth or suffer discomfort when consuming certain foods or beverages. In that situation, when the whitening solution is applied to the surface of your teeth, you may feel discomfort or agony. Inform your dentist of your sensitivity to provide products such as special toothpaste to assist in reducing this risk and increase your comfort throughout the procedure.
You may become more susceptible to extreme heat and cold.
Furthermore, you may have increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages after your teeth whitening procedure; this is quite normal. Typically, this is just temporary. On the other hand, using sensitive tooth toothpaste may help ease the irritation.
Tingling feelings are possible.
When you bite down on your newly whitened teeth, you will feel a sensation comparable to a slight electric charge. This could be a side effect of the bleaching substance used during your dental procedure. At your follow-up appointment, make a mental note of the location and timing of these tingling sensations so you may accurately express them to your dentist.
Your teeth may become inflamed.
Bleaching and whitening your teeth may cause pulp irritation, especially if cracks or fractures damage them.
Irritation is a possibility.
If bleaching solutions come into contact with your skin, gums, or even your eyes, they might irritate them, and the cause is a chemical burn. Notify the dentist right away, and gently rinse with water as needed.
Your throat or stomach may hurt.
During the whitening process, take care not to swallow the bleaching substance. This can irritate your throat and stomach, which might have significant medical repercussions in some cases.
These issues usually go away within 48 hours following your procedure. Consult a dentist to identify the best course of action to alleviate these adverse effects. Though it is unusual, seek medical attention at once if your symptoms persist or worsen.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment?
Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, tooth shaping, veneers, and gum sculpting are typically not covered by most dental insurance policies. These procedures are not considered medically necessary and must be paid for entirely by the patient because they are only meant to improve the appearance of your teeth.
Final Thoughts
Every smile has a story to tell, and a brilliant white smile conveys confidence, good health, enjoyment, and friendliness. If your smile doesn’t make you feel great and you’re ready to take the first step toward a smile makeover, call Burwood Dental Care at +61 3 7003 2075 or book an appointment on our website.
At Burwood Dental Care, we provide a wide range of dental services, so you can be confident that your entire family is receiving effective treatment at the best possible price. Our Burwood friendly dentist is dedicated to providing you with the most comprehensive yet affordable options for dental care. Our goal is to offer each of our patients a great dental experience.
Let us show you our patient-centred approach to cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is a safe, effective, and cost-effective procedure that can be completed in as little as one appointment. We can’t wait to help you achieve your bright smile!
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