Everyone wants a bright and healthy smile, but at what cost? Professional dental whitening offers some of the most impressive teeth whitening results, but many people worry about the cost and whether they can afford to maintain their newly refreshed smile.
At Babylon Dental Care, we want affordable dental care to be within everyone’s reach. Let us break down the potential cost of dental whitening, whether your insurance covers the procedure, and tips for getting the most out of your teeth whitening experience.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
How much does teeth whitening cost? The answer depends on the procedure. There are generally two types of teeth whitening procedures. First, you can enhance your natural smile by having your dentist make customized upper and lower mouth trays. Along with these trays, your dentist can provide dental-grade whitening gel to help brighten your smile and make your teeth four to six shades whiter. On average, custom trays and bleaching gel can range from $200 to $600. Your dentist provides you with the kit, and you can whiten your teeth in the privacy of your own home. Although more expensive than over-the-counter kits, custom trays and dental bleach can offer more consistent whitening results.
You can also achieve pearly white teeth with an in-house whitening treatment. During a cosmetic dental whitening service, your dentist uses a dental-grade whitening solution, applies it to your teeth, and then uses a specific lamp to help the solution penetrate the teeth and remove discoloration and stains. The bleach solution sits on the teeth in 15-minute intervals until the desired shade is achieved. You may need to receive up to four whitening sessions for maximum results. This in-house whitening treatment can get teeth up to 8 shades whiter. In-house treatments can range in price from $500 to $1,000 per session in some areas.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening Costs?
Unfortunately, most dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of teeth whitening treatments. Whitening procedures are considered mainly cosmetic, and most insurance providers do not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments.
There are some exceptions to the insurance rule. In some situations, when tooth discoloration occurs due to a medical condition or as a side effect of certain medications, some insurance providers may cover the cost of whitening procedures. However, you must review your insurance policy to determine the extent of your dental coverage and potential exceptions.
Dos and Don’ts of Teeth Whitening
If you invest in a whiter and more radiant smile, you want the results to last as long as possible. There are things you can do to help extend the longevity of your teeth whitening treatment and prevent further staining from occurring.
Teeth Whitening Dos
- Do make regular cleaning appointments with your dentist
- Do brush and floss twice daily
- Consider adding a whitening toothpaste to your oral hygiene rotation
- Use straws
Teeth Whitening Don’ts
- Don’t drink too much red wine, coffee, tea, and soda
- Don’t consume too many acidic foods or drinks like juices
- Don’t smoke or vape
You can also help reduce the cost of regular dental whitening and maintain a brilliant smile by enrolling in the Whitening for Life program at Babylon Dental Care. Our innovative Whitening for Life program gives you access to a touch-up whitening gel at no charge after every regular dental examination for as long as you are a member. By keeping your six-month dental examinations, you also get an additional whitening gel two times per year, so you can also keep your smile looking its best without the expense of purchasing whitening products at every visit.
Another thing to remember is that teeth whitening treatments can cause some people to experience increased tooth sensitivity. Good oral hygiene practices at home and regular dental check-ups not only help you maintain a white smile, but these practices can also help decrease tooth sensitivity over time.
Schedule a Teeth Whitening Appointment Today
Don’t let your teeth’s color get you down or prevent you from showing your joyful side to the world. At Babylon Dental Care, we can address your regular oral hygiene needs and help you improve your smile with customized teeth whitening kits or in-house treatments. You can have the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Are you ready to get a whiter and brighter smile? Call our office today at (631) 983-6665 to schedule an appointment with one of our compassionate dental professionals at Babylon Dental Care.
