Dental coverage is available to about 50% of Americans with private insurance, although it typically excludes any aesthetic operations, including teeth whitening.
The normal yearly cap for dental insurance is $1,500 on average. It has a three-tier structure known as 100-80-50 and only covers procedures that are strictly related to health and wellness.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Cosmetic procedures are typically not covered by dental insurance policies.
- Dental insurance typically covers three categories of care: preventive, essential care, and major work.
- Dental insurance often pays for cleanings, sealants, and X-rays on a semi-annual or annual basis.
- Whitening your teeth is a cosmetic procedure. This indicates that it is an optional procedure rather than one that the patient’s health requires. Sadly, the majority of insurance plans—including dental insurance—do not cover cosmetic dentistry.
- Whiter teeth do not have to be out of the question due to insurance coverage. You can take steps to reduce the price of teeth whitening.
Average Cost Of Teeth Whitening
The most pricey and efficient way to whiten teeth is with a laser whitening procedure, which typically costs over $1,000. The cost of in-office teeth whitening is roughly $600, which is significantly more expensive than the $5 to $50 price range of take-home kits or other teeth whitening products like gels, gums, or whitening toothpaste. However, in-office teeth whitening will produce a noticeably brighter smile because your dentist can use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
Having a custom tray manufactured to meet your specific dental needs is a common choice for patients who want faster and better outcomes but are concerned about the cost. Your dentist will provide you instructions for wearing the trays at home after the tray has been created. These customized systems typically cost $250 to $500 plus an additional $30 for yearly upkeep.
Preventing Staining From Occurring
The most frequent causes of tooth discoloration include poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and excessive consumption of particular foods and beverages. Teeth discoloration may sometimes be a symptom of a deeper problem.
Here are a few things you may do to enhance the appearance of your teeth if you want them to be lighter and brighter and want to save money on high office costs.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene on a daily basis is one of the best ways to prevent and treat discolored teeth. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, ideally with fluoride- or whitening-containing toothpaste. Changing your toothbrush every three to four months is also crucial.
Avoid Foods That Stain: Even while it may be difficult, soda, tea, or a nice glass of wine can all contribute significantly to the discoloration of your teeth. Additionally, certain berries and tomato sauce might discolor your teeth.
Stop Smoking: There are many reasons why it is a good idea to stop smoking, one of which is that tobacco usage can harm your health and stain your teeth, especially if you use smokeless tobacco.
Routine Dental Exams: In addition to leading a healthy lifestyle and paying attention to your diet, having regular dental exams every six months (or more frequently for patients at risk for periodontal problems) will enable your dentist to remove plaque and stains that will make your smile look brighter.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
The price of teeth whitening might vary quite a little from one product to another and one method to another.
The most expensive alternative is professional, in-office teeth whitening, which costs, on average, $650 per visit but can cost up to $1,000. However, it does have the advantage of being carried out by a skilled dental expert, assisting in ensuring that you obtain the results you’re after.
Over-the-counter strips and trays that you may get at your neighborhood drugstore or grocery shop are at the other end of the price spectrum. These kits, which can cost anywhere from $20 to $100, are an appealing alternative for people wishing to improve their smiles slightly without incurring the exorbitant cost of in-office whitening.
However, it’s crucial to remember that outcomes can differ greatly when using these less expensive, low-concentration peroxide whiteners.
Take-home kits that are professionally dispensed may be a good option for you if you’re searching for something in the midst of professional whitening and over-the-counter solutions. These kits, which can cost between $100 and $400 and are prescribed by a dentist, may be able to produce outcomes that are comparable to those you would receive from a dentist in-office.
Remember that the effects of teeth whitening are temporary, so you’ll need to keep getting treatments as they wear off if you want to keep your smile white.
How much does teeth whitening cost with insurance?
As previously stated, the majority of dental insurance policies do not cover in-office teeth whitening procedures. However, there are several dental saving programs that can offer advantages, and you can use their plans to save 20 to 25 percent on the cost of in-office whitening procedures. There are various restrictions placed on these plans. Therefore, always check the specifics of these planes before conducting the whitening operation.
Avoiding Stains in the First Place
While maintaining good dental hygiene reduces stains, occasionally they cannot be avoided. The discoloration is divided into two categories by dentists: intrinsic and extrinsic. Because intrinsic stains are a natural component of the tooth’s composition, bleaching will not remove them. The causes of intrinsic stains are inheritance and aging. A high fever during a critical moment when tooth enamel is developing or an excessive amount of fluoride in drinking water are other potential causes. Fluoride causes white spots on the teeth. Little can be done to eliminate these intrinsic stains because they are a natural component of the tooth.
Food, drink, or smoke stains are examples of extrinsic stains. For instance, cigarettes and coffee might discolor your teeth. Additionally, microorganisms from improper oral hygiene might result in stains. Extrinsic stains are bad news, but the good news is that people can avoid them by maintaining good oral hygiene, and they can usually be eradicated.
The two primary categories of stain-removal items are. Over-the-counter solutions known as at-home products range in price from cheap (tooth whitening toothpaste, rinses, and gel strips) to more expensive (home whitening kits). Dentists are also able to whiten discolored teeth. Although their solutions are frequently more expensive, they produce outcomes that last for a shorter period of time.
How can you whiten your teeth at a lower cost?
What are your other alternatives if you want to whiten your teeth but can’t afford the in-office whitening procedure? Below are the other possibilities explored.
Take-Home Whitening Trays
These opalescence bespoke trays were created at the dentist’s office. Your dentist will make a personalized tray that fits your teeth after taking an impression of your teeth. You will be provided whitening gel in a syringe after receiving your tray. You must place the gel in the tray and wear it for the appropriate amount of time (30 to 60 min for 10 to 14 days). It produces outcomes that are remarkably similar to those of in-office tooth whitening. The process is stretched out over several days, which is the only distinction. You’ll pay between $100 to $600 for them.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
- At-home whitening is the most cost-effective method of teeth whitening. It takes longer than an office-based treatment, though. It won’t provide you with immediate results the same day. It takes this technique many days to produce results.
- The choices for at-home teeth whitening include wearing whitening strips on your upper and lower arches and letting them stay in place for the advised amount of time over a number of days. You’ll pay between $10 and $22 for it.
- Another choice is a one-size whitening tray, which will run you anywhere from $40 to $200. You may need to add the gel each time you wear the trays, or they may already be loaded with it.
- In addition to these, you can get LED teeth whitening kits for anywhere from $40 and $300. These over-the-counter whitening trays and a small handheld lighting device are included in these light-activated LED whitening kits. They work by inducing oxidation, which hastens the stain particles’ elimination. But other individuals find them more challenging to operate because they require a little bit more time and effort. Home LED whitening kits typically work more quickly than competing trays or strips on the market.
- The price range for whitening toothpaste is between $3 and $18. It is the least expensive method for whitening teeth. The outcomes, meanwhile, might not be all that desirable.
How long does teeth whitening lasts?
The in-office whitening procedure lasts for about a year, or possibly longer. Personalized whitening trays typically last six months to a year. The effects of whitening strips last for up to six months. Only when used consistently can the effects of the whitening toothpaste endure up to three to four months.
To sum up, teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure whose cost depends on how quickly you need it. If you don’t mind waiting to see the results, you can choose less expensive methods like at-home whitening. On the other hand, you should select the pricey and immediate in-office whitening if you have a significant event, like a wedding or concert, to attend.
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