One of the reasons that teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental treatment in the U.S. today is because it is an affordable solution for people who are unhappy with their smile. Studies have shown that people who have bright smiles are happier, more confident and have more social and career opportunities. When you consider these benefits, it is easy to see why investing in dazzling white teeth is a no-brainer.
Another huge benefit is that there are a range of different teeth whitening options on the market, which means that there is a solution for nearly every budget.
This page will take a look at the costs associated with the different types of teeth whitening treatment. Please be aware that costs stated are just a guideline and the exact price will vary by treatment type and from brand to brand.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits

Teeth whitening products are available over the counter and can start at as little as a few dollars for mouthwash or toothpaste containing chemicals that promote teeth whitening.
There are also other products such as teeth-whitening pens and strips. These are not custom-designed and so may not work for everybody, nor are they guaranteed to give an even and good quality finish. These types of products typically cost between $20 to $50 each.

Take-home teeth whitening kits

Custom bleaching trays are available from the majority of dentists and usually contain higher concentrations of bleaching agents giving you faster results and meaning that you will probably require less applications to achieve your desired result.
Custom fit moulds (sometimes known as trays) are provided to ensure that you get a thorough coating of the bleaching gel over your teeth, and that they are comfortable to wear while the whitening takes place. Generally, each kit provides enough bleaching compound for one two-week treatment per year, plus one or two-day touch ups every four to six months.
You can expect a take-home tray of professional teeth-whitening equipment to cost between $100 to $400.

In office teeth whitening treatment

Although in office teeth whitening treatment is more expensive than other alternatives, it is also proven to be significantly more successful. Requiring little more than a lunchtime to complete, the results are instant and you can expect your teeth to lighten between two and eight shades from your original color.

If you want your teeth whitening process to be expertly handled by professionals from start to finish, you should be prepared to spend between $600 and $1000. Dentists who use bleaching lights or lasers for the procedure will have higher operating costs than those who don’t and so for treatments that use this equipment, expect to pay a charge at the higher end of this range.