How much does whitening cost ?

A. In-office whitening is the most expensive. It usually costs between $600 and $1,200.

A more economical approach may be to use the home-bleaching kit offered by your dentist. The cost of home bleaching, which includes the materials and consultations with your dentist, will run about $300 to $500.

Q. How long does bleaching last?

A. If you maintain good oral hygiene, and adhere to your dentist's directions for care, you can expect the results to last one to three years. You can maintain your white teeth even longer if you don't smoke, chew tobacco, or drink a lot of coffee or tea.

Q. I've had previous dental work on my front teeth. Will that be a problem?

A. Not necessarily, although it does complicate things. The bleaching agents that are used to whiten teeth don't affect tooth-colored fillings or other restorative materials. After bleaching, these areas may appear darker than the surrounding teeth. However, sometimes the restorative work is whiter than the natural teeth. In these cases, the whitened natural teeth will blend better with the restored teeth.

If fillings or other dental work cause your tooth to appear darker than surrounding teeth, your dentist can use bonding or veneers to make your tooth the same color as the surrounding teeth.

Q. Are there any side effects?

A. It is unlikely that you will have any serious effects from a whitening procedure. However, some patients experience mild tooth sensitivity after bleaching, and minor gum irritation. The sensitivity can be reduced with a prescription fluoride gel, but most people don't need it. The sensitivity usually goes away within a few days after bleaching is complete.

Irritation of gums or other soft tissues in the mouth is more of a problem with over-the-counter bleaching kits because the bleaching agents may leak around the edges of the mouthpiece.

Women are advised to avoid tooth whitening during pregnancy because the effects of bleaching agents on fetal development are unknown.

Original article created by an Aetna InteliHealth writer and Sandra Burkett, D.D.S., of the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
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