Factors Affecting the Price of a Tooth Whitening Procedure
Tooth whitening is gaining popularity as a useful dental procedure. More patients are able to enjoy a bright smile due to the removal of extrinsic and intrinsic stains from their teeth. If your teeth are stained and you're looking for a solution, tooth whitening is useful place to start.
There are many different procedures that can achieve whiter teeth, from in-office bleaching to laser treatments. A top concern for many patients is how much their treatment plan will cost. The specific procedure that is right for you will play an important factor in determining what you will need to pay.
However, there are other factors to consider when planning to pay for tooth whitening. Make sure you consider the following.
The starting product
The extent to which your teeth are stained will determine the treatment type and cost. In most cases, highly stained teeth may cost more to treat than slight marks here and there.
In fact, deep intrinsic stains from fluoride staining, smoking or oral health conditions will cost more to remove than surface stains from drinks such as coffee. This is because intrinsic stains involve the application of powerful bleaching agents into interior layers of the enamel. They require more specialised treatment plans and equipment to achieve accurate results.
The treatment provider
Tooth whitening is a flexible process that can be carried out in many different ways. There are in-office treatment plans and take-home products that you can administer yourself.
If your level of staining is only slight and you don't mind taking more time to achieve whiter teeth, you can save significantly on teeth whitening procedures. Dentists will typically provide you with products that you can apply yourself several times a day.
On the other hand, patients looking for quicker results, or who have deeply stained teeth, may have to incur the extra cost of in-office whitening procedures.
The overall health of your teeth
Another cost-determining factor is the overall health of your teeth. In most cases, dentists will recommend treatment for prior oral issues before you can whiten your teeth. For example, patients with gum infections, missing teeth and cavities should not undergo teeth whitening before these conditions are treated. As you embark on your path towards whiter teeth, you may have to have your teeth treated for such issues before they can be whitened.
Interestingly, your dental insurance policy may cover some tooth whitening procedures that are tied to any oral health issues you may be facing. For example, if stains in your teeth occurred as a result of cavities, missing teeth or gum infections, you can establish that the tooth whitening is part of the treatment plan aimed at treating the affected teeth. Talk with a dentist to learn more about caring for your teeth.
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