A healthy smile is key to making a good first impression. Perhaps that is why teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures to be performed in the industry. Several teeth whitening methods are available in the market based on people’s budget and their dental requirements. Some of these procedures can be performed at home, while others are only done by professionals. Here are some common teeth whitening procedures and their average costs:

1. Laser teeth whitening
In this procedure, a concentrated whitening gel is applied to the person’s teeth. Then, a laser is used to heat this gel which results in rapid whitening of teeth. This procedure is usually quite expensive and costs anywhere between $400 and $1,500 for one session. While the price range is quite broad, it is important to note that some people may need to undergo several sessions to achieve the desired results, which can add to the costs. After the procedure is completed, additional accessories are needed for proper maintenance of the whitened teeth.

2. In-office whitening
This method is quite similar to the laser teeth whitening procedure. The only difference here is that a laser is not needed for this procedure. This procedure is quite handy because it allows a person to achieve a significant change in color in a short amount of time. With just a couple or more visits to the dentist, you can achieve a difference of 8-10 shades in the color of your teeth. The peroxide gel used in this procedure is only available at the dentist since it is quite concentrated and must be handled by a professional. On average, one session at the dentist could cost as much as $650. 

3. Whitening trays
There are different kinds of professionally dispensed teeth whitening trays available in the market. You can opt for a preloaded teeth whitening tray that comes with a teeth whitening gel that is stronger than the over-the-counter variants. These need to be applied for 20 minutes a day and can last between four to two weeks. You can also get a customized teeth-whitening tray that is designed to fit your dental set in a better way. It is much more comfortable and needs to be used in the same way as the regular preloaded trays. However, the preloaded trays can cost approximately $300, whereas the custom whitening trays can cost anywhere from $450 to $500.

4. Over-the-counter treatments
This is probably the most popular and accessible option of teeth whitening available. These products are quite convenient and contain a whitening gel that is quite low in concentration and safer to use on your own. There are several methods of gel application to choose from, such as dental trays, dental strips, or paint-on applicators. The dental trays that come with these over-the-counter products are generally sized and can sometimes be uncomfortable to wear. People mostly tend to opt for gel strips since they are easy to use and not as messy as the paint-on applicators. These treatments can cost anywhere between $20 to $100.