Like other cosmetic procedures, teeth whitening has become a very high demand procedure. In fact, it is the most sought after procedure in cosmetic dentistry. People today are very conscious of personal appearance, perhaps even more so than in previous decades, due to the options available in the cosmetic industry that were unavailable before. Teeth whitening is no exception to this rule. Many people notice yellowing or staining of their teeth over time and wish to get the natural colour of their teeth back.
When looking into whitening procedures, it isn’t uncommon for people to notice their expense, which is an undeniable factor. Understandably, people then wonder what makes whitening so expensive, how the price breaks down, and if they are being gouged for more money than the treatment is actually worth. Luckily, it’s not hard to break down the components of whitening’s cost.
Cost of Production
The base cost of any product will be affected by what that product costs to produce. Don’t forget, production costs aren’t just what it costs to make the product but involve the cost of the factories, factory workers, packaging, shipping, and advertising that go into making the product marketable. Whether you buy an over-the-counter product or have in-office whitening, someone had to make the product, package it, and advertise it so that you or your dentist could find and buy it. While production costs for a single tube of whitening toothpaste or one kit may seem high compared to the price of a bottle of peroxide on the shelf, it’s important to remember that whitening systems are more complicated and expensive to manufacture than just buying peroxide and the ingredients for toothpaste.
Which Product
More material goes into making a prescribed whitening kit than a bottle of whitening toothpaste. Likewise, if a dentist treats a patient with an in-office procedure, the dentist must not only cover the cost of the whitening products but must also cover the time it takes to do your procedure and the extremely high cost of the equipment required to give those amazing results. The costs of in-office procedures also must include the maintenance of the expensive system to keep it up to quality while it is being used and to replace pieces of the system as needed. Therefore, it is easy to see why comparatively this type of treatment costs a great deal more than whitening toothpaste.
You may wonder about the cost of at home prescription whitening kits. Those don’t require expensive set ups and maintenance charges or the dentist’s time – right? That’s correct, but at home kits you get from a dentist are much more personalised to your needs than OTC products. These kits come with trays moulded perfectly to fit your mouth and the proper whitening ingredients for you. Additionally, most dentists want to see patients for check-ups over the course of treatment. Therefore, the dentist still needs to incorporate the price of any in office procedures associated with the at home whitening as well as producing a kit customised to the patient’s needs.
Beyond the scope of which general product, one specific brand may cost more than another. With especially big brands like Crest or Colgate, the cost is a bit higher because you are also paying something for the brand name. However, these brands often make users feel more comfortable because there are more reviews about big brand products, and friends or family may have tried the same product and can give it a more trusted review than a smaller brand product.
Natural?
One of the newest fads in teeth whitening are kits which are made for sensitive teeth and use more natural, less harsh ingredients than those used in the typical product. These kits may make users who are wary of harsh agents or who want to be more nature friendly happy. Likewise, they are the best option for people who have sensitivity. However, things which are more natural or organic than others, cost more to produce. Likewise, they may have superior base ingredients and are in general considered “worth more.”
Efficacy
Along the same lines, products which are considered to be strong for deep whitening, removing tough stains, or fast acting will be more expensive than their slower working, less strong counterparts. While this does not mean the more affordable options like toothpastes fail to work, it does mean that the stronger kits have proven themselves particularly effective and quicker acting than some other options. Anything which is viewed to work better or more quickly will come at a higher price.
The bottom line?
Teeth whitening can be expensive to get the truly desired results, but, as long as consumers choose products wisely, whitening can be a perfectly legitimate cosmetic expense. Nowadays, high quality make-up, luxury fashion brands, and hair treatments are all things people choose to spend on to help them have the appearance they want. Similarly, teeth whitening can be another way of making sure our mouths look as healthy and appealing as the rest of our body does. The expenses associated with whitening are usually legitimate ones even though they may seem pricey initially.
