Teeth Whitening: How it Works and What it Costs

In the blossoming world of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening reigns supreme. Universally valued by me

n and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament.

Whether in the form of one-hour bleaching sessions at your dentist’s office, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore, teeth whitening solutions abound. Yet only 15 percent of the population has tried the cosmetic procedure, and misinformation on the subject is rife. The long and the short of it is that teeth whitening works. Virtually everyone who opts for this cosmetic treatment will see moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and requires maintenance or "touch-ups" for a prolonged effect.

Bleaching vs. Whitening

According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach — typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The term "whitening," on the other hand, refers to restoring a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used — even when describing products that contain bleach.

Why Teeth Whitening? Examining Enamel

Most of us start out with sparkling white teeth, thanks to their porcelain-like enamel surface. Composed of microscopic crystalline rods, tooth enamel is designed to protect the teeth from the effects of chewing, gnashing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar. But over the years enamel is worn down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow color of dentin — the tooth’s core material — to show through.

During routine chewing, dentin remains intact while millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that gradually fill up with stains and debris. As a result, the teeth eventually develop a dull, lackluster appearance. Teeth whitening removes the stains and debris, leaving the enamel cracks open and exposed. Some of the cracks are quickly re-mineralized by saliva, while others are filled up again with organic debris.

Teeth Whitening Costs

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The standard fee for teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures is about $500 in most cases. Costs can vary depending upon the area of the country you live in and the type of whitening treatment you undergo. Laser teeth whitening is typically over $1000. for example. In-home tray bleaching can cost between $50. and $100. dollars for a total teeth whitening system. Store-bought whitening strips can cost as little as $25. for a total treatment whitening system. Teeth whitening stores, stands and kiosks typically cost between $50. and $150. dollars per treatment.

Generally speaking, the price of teeth whitening increases with the number of in-office treatments required by the patient. Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of the teeth whitening procedure.

Am I good candidate for tooth bleaching?

We all want brighter and whiter teeth for sure; it is our right to look good and fab smile. However, tooth bleaching is not necessarily the best solution for you... or for me.

Most people decide to take over the bleaching treatment by themselves getting over-the-counter whitening products, however the wisest thing to do is going to the dentist to get an evaluation of your dental condition, and therefore recommend the best dental solution for your case.  

Depending on the type and condition of your dental stains, you dentist will suggest among these the best tooth bleaching treatment for you:  

• Professional dental cleaning to get rid of external stains produce by food and tobacco. 

• Bleaching toothpaste to get rid of shallow stains. (In order to get better results you may use teeth whitening gel and teeth whitening strips). 

• Professional dentist bleaching or home bleaching is for the hardest yellow stains.  

• Veneers and fillings are for reconstructing the most affected teeth or getting specific results. 
  

Great, seems I have plenty of options, but still what works better for me?

If you have very yellow teeth you are quite lucky. That’s right, you are because your teeth respond better to bleaching than those with a grayish o brownish coloring, or even better than teeth stained by tetracycline (a.k.a. Sumycin, Terramycin, Tetracyn, Panmycin, etc.) and dental flouring can not get totally white after bleaching. 

If you have veneers, fillings or crowns on your frontal teeth, dental bleaching is NOT for you because the dental bleacher will have no effect on the material of these dental applications.  

If you have sensitive teeth and or periodontal disease, you should avoid chemical tooth whitening since they can irritate your gums. 

If you have serious teeth and jaw problems, dental crowns and veneers are way better you give you a perfect looking white smile.