Costs
Whitening can range from a few dollars for toothpastes, to $20-$40 for bleaching strips, up to $200-$800 for professional, in-office procedures performed by your dentist.
The whitening methods below are arranged in order of effectiveness, from least to most effective. If you pursue in-office whitening, make sure to ask your dentist about any deals that may be available. Also note that the American Dental Association recommends consulting your dentist before you undertake at-home whitening with gels or strips.
| Product | Notes | Price | Level of effectiveness |
| Whitening toothpaste |
Active ingredient:
| $1-$15 per tube | Slightly effective |
| Baking soda | Generic as effective | $1 per box | Slightly effective |
| Listerine Quick | 56 strips | $20 | Moderately effective, |
| Crest 3D Whitestrips | 28 strips | $40 | Moderately effective, |
| Dentist-prescribed, | Price is reduced when purchased | $99-$500 multiple trays | Effective |
| In-office whitening | May or may not include take-home | $250-$600 | Highly effective |
| Zoom in-office procedure | Includes high-energy light | $400-$800 | Highly effective |
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Financing
Many dentists accept special dental payment programs, such as Unicorn Financial Services, CareCredit’s Dental Fee Plan, ChaseHealthAdvance, and Enhanced Patient Financing. Shopping around can result in substantial savings. A checklist of questions you should ask lenders includes:
- Do you offer a period (such as one year) of interest-free financing?
- How long do I have to pay off this loan?
- How does my credit rating affect the rate you can offer me?
- Does my income level affect my financing rate?
- Besides the expenditures we have discussed, are there other potential costs involved in my financing agreement?
- Are there any sign-up fees?
- How long does the credit-check process take?
Dentists also commonly offer interest-free payment plans themselves, so be sure to ask.
Find a dentist in your area, or read more about the causes of teeth discoloration and types of teeth whitening procedures.
