Have year’s worth of tea and coffee drinking left your teeth looking a little off-colour?
Maybe your discolouration is a direct result of cigarette smoking, or simply just a case of poor genetics?
Whatever the cause, there are plenty of ways you can restore your smile to its former glory, and teeth whitening is one of the most popular.
With countless treatments available, from over-the-counter whitening strips and toothpastes, to at-home whitening trays and even professional, in-practice methods like Zoom teeth whitening London, you’re guaranteed to find a solution that suits your lifestyle.
For many people, professional teeth whitening is the answer, but many people weighing up their options often wonder if it’s worth it, compared to other treatments.
In this blog, learn once and for all whether the cost of professional teeth whitening is really worth it, and why it may be the best option to help you achieve your dream, pearly white smile.
What are the benefits of professional teeth whitening?
Compared to at-home whitening methods, there are many advantages of professional teeth whitening treatments, including:
- Quicker, longer-lasting results
At-home alternatives can take a few weeks (even months!) to brighten your smile.
Whereas, professional in-office whitening treatments work much quicker to improve the shade of your teeth and can do so, by several shades, in just one or two dental visits.
The results achieved with in-practice teeth whitening are also much longer lasting, and can last for up to 24 months (yes, 24 months!) with good oral hygiene practices, whitening toothpaste, and touch-up treatments.
- More effective and consistent results
Dentists use much stronger peroxide and more advanced techniques to achieve effective results for patients who opt for in-practice whitening.
These results tend to be more consistent than those achieved with at-home kits.
Are there any drawbacks of professional teeth whitening?
Whilst a quicker, more effective and long-lasting solution is guaranteed with in-office whitening treatments, there are a few potential drawbacks.
These can include:
- Increased cost
When you take advantage of dentists’ expertise and such advanced techniques, you can expect to pay more for in-practice teeth whitening than you would for alternative, at-home treatments.
However, if you keep repurchasing at-home kits, these costs, of course, add up, and can end up being more expensive overall than in-practice whitening.
- Heightened tooth sensitivity
You should expect some sensitivity no matter which teeth whitening method you choose, but it’s more common among patients who opt for professional whitening.
This is because the bleaching agent used is more concentrated. But, to combat this, your dentist will take measures to protect your gums and other soft tissues, lower the concentration of the bleaching agent, or limit your number of bleaching sessions.
How much does professional whitening cost?
The average cost of professional teeth whitening in the UK is between £200-£600, and depends on several different factors:
Severity of staining
If your teeth are only slightly off-colour, your whitening treatment will be more affordable, as you won’t need many sessions to achieve your desired results.
In most cases, those with more severe staining will require more than one session to reach their desired shade, increasing the cost of treatment overall.
Oral health
Depending on the condition of your oral health, your dentist may need to address other concerns before they begin whitening your teeth.
For example, if you have gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, or exposed tooth roots, you won’t be able to undergo professional whitening treatments, as the bleaching agents used can make these issues worse.
Of course, if you do need to undergo any additional treatments to prepare for whitening sessions, you’ll pay more overall.
Whitening system
Some professional whitening treatments cost more than others, so the price you’ll pay depends on the whitening method you choose or what your dentist recommends.
Location
Private dental treatment is more expensive in the south of England than it is up north, and recent figures from myTribe reveal that the average cost of private dental treatments – like teeth whitening – is 23% higher than the national average.
So, patients will pay more for teeth whitening in Essex and other areas in London than they would in areas in Manchester or Liverpool, for example.
Most private dental clinics offer several different ways to pay for your teeth whitening treatment – including dental finance – that allow you to spread the cost over several months and make the cost of professional teeth whitening more manageable.
Need expert advice?
If stained, yellowed teeth are getting you down, professional teeth whitening is an excellent option to help improve the appearance of your smile and boost your self-esteem.
To find out more about all your available options, be sure to speak to your local dentist for expert help and advice!
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