How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

The average cost of professional teeth whitening is $600, according to 47 recent patient reviews.

The price of this cosmetic procedure can range up to $1000, depending on factors like:

• your provider’s level of experience
• their location
• the type of whitening treatment you get
• how many sessions you need to achieve a brighter smile

In-office teeth whitening has a 95% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, with many saying that their teeth have never looked whiter. 

Why the cost of teeth whitening varies

1. Your provider's level of expertise

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends consulting with a licensed cosmetic dentist to determine if teeth whitening is an appropriate treatment, based on your overall oral health. 

Your treatment will probably be performed by a trained member of their staff, supervised by the dentist.

Your teeth whitening cost will probably be higher if your provider has many years of experience with dental care experience.

On the other hand, it's important that this treatment be performed by an experienced professional, for the sake of both results and safety. In-office teeth whitening treatments contain high concentrations of bleaching agents and need to be used carefully to avoid potential side effects, like burns to your gums or increased tooth sensitivity. 

Even if you choose an option that involves dentist-supplied, at-home whitening trays, an experienced dentist or dental assistant should explain how you can use them safely.

2. Their practice location 

Large cosmetic dentistry practices in upscale neighborhoods of major cities tend to charge more for dental procedures than what you’d pay in an outlying area or smaller cities, as rent costs get passed on to patients. If cost is a big factor for you, look for a well-reviewed, qualified cosmetic dentist with a less exclusive address and more stripped-down operation. 

3. The type of teeth whitening system used

There are a number of brand-name whitening systems in use at dental offices today, and each works slightly differently and has different costs associated with it. 

There are three main types of teeth whitening options.

In-office light and laser teeth whitening systems

If your primary goal is to get a significantly brighter smile quickly, an in-office treatment is your best option.

• Professional in-office whitening is more expensive than over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening kits, but it’s faster and more effective because it uses a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
• One study found that an OTC bleaching kit took 16 days to achieve the same whitening level as a seven-day, at-home professional whitening tray system or a one-time procedure done in the dentist’s office. 
• Some options require several in-office treatments to reach your desired results, while others—like the “laser teeth whitening” system Zoom—employ an LED light source or stronger laser that activates the bleaching agent (usually hydrogen peroxide) to deliver “instant” teeth whitening in a single treatment, at a higher cost.
• In-office teeth whitening options also have the benefit of being performed by an experienced dental professional, which helps to ensure that you’ll safely get the results you’re after. For instance, the first step of the teeth whitening service is to create a barrier to protect your gums from coming into contact with the bleaching agent, which can irritate (or even burn) this sensitive tissue. 

Professional, dentist-administered whitening kits with take-home custom trays

Results from custom trays may be slower to appear than with an in-office procedure, but if you’re content with more gradual whitening, a professional, take-home bleaching kit with custom whitening trays is another effective option.

• With a milder concentration of bleaching agent, they’re often recommended for patients who have sensitive teeth.
• It’s also convenient for “touch-ups” every six to 12 months, to maintain a brighter smile.

Over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening kits

More affordable products—whitening gels, whitening strips, and other take-home whitening kits—are also available over the counter at drugstores and online.

• These teeth whitening products contain a far lower concentration of bleaching agent (like carbamide peroxide) than professional options, so they take much longer to work than professional whitening treatments.
• They can deliver uneven results, especially if your teeth aren’t straight.
• If you’re persistent in using them regularly, they deliver noticeably whiter teeth on a budget. Ask your dentist to recommend the best OTC whitening products.

Whatever teeth whitening method you choose, you can protect your investment by practicing good oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental cleanings.

Toothpastes that contain whitening agents can also help maintain a whiter smile.

Related: The Best Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments, According to Experts

4. The extent of your tooth discoloration 

Teeth whitening systems work best on “extrinsic” tooth stains, those that affect the outermost layer (aka tooth enamel). These superficial yellow stains often develop due to regular consumption of deeply colored beverages and food like red wine, coffee, tea, tomato sauce, and berries. The nicotine, tar, and tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes also contributes to this discoloration. 

While tooth whitening treatments can usually improve tooth color dramatically—by up to eight shades—stubborn surface stains may require additional whitening sessions, along with at-home whitening products like strips and whitening toothpastes.

“Intrinsic” stains that exist on a deeper layer of the tooth (as a result of some medication, overexposure to fluoride, aging, trauma, and root canal treatment) aren’t as likely to respond to traditional teeth whitening services: they usually require internal tooth bleaching. 

RealSelf Tip: Whitening only removes stains on natural teeth; artificial dental work, such as crowns, bonding, bridges, veneers, and fillings, don’t respond to bleaching agents. It's a good idea to have whitening done before this kind of dental work, so it matches a whiter version of your teeth. 

5. Any additional procedures before whitening 

Issues like tooth decay, gum disease, enamel erosion, or hypersensitivity may need to be addressed first, to prevent sensitivity following the whitening process. This could increase the total cost of your whitening treatment, but a portion of the cost could be covered by your dental insurance, and fixing these problems will improve your overall oral health. 

6. Special offers and discounts

Some dental offices (or med spas) offer teeth whitening deals to attract new patients. Going this route can offer significant savings, but it's still important to read patient reviews for this particular service, to make sure you'll be in experienced hands.