Professional whitening is usually priced as a package covering the examination, custom trays and gel. Take-home trays are generally less than in-chair whitening. Because you keep the trays, topping up later costs only the gel, which makes the ongoing cost lower than it first appears.
We'll give you a figure, not a range
Quoting a national average here wouldn't help you much - the cost depends on your teeth. After an examination we'll give you a written plan with the cost of each item, before any treatment is booked. Ring 03 441 8248 and we'll arrange it.
What changes the price
- Take-home custom trays versus in-chair whitening
- Whether an examination and clean are included in the package
- How many gel syringes come with it
- Whether both arches are being treated
- Whether a single dark tooth needs internal whitening, which is a different treatment
What you're paying for beyond the gel
The gel is the cheap part. What you're paying for is the examination that checks whitening is suitable, and the custom trays moulded to your teeth so the gel sits on the enamel and off the gums.
That examination matters. Whitening gel on decay or exposed roots hurts, and whitening won't change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers - so if you have visible restorations on your front teeth, they'll stay as they are and may end up standing out. Better to know before than after.
Why supermarket kits disappoint
Over-the-counter kits use weaker gel and one-size trays that let it leak onto the gums, which is both less effective and more irritating. They're cheaper for a reason, and the common outcome is patchy results and sore gums.
Topping up
Because the trays are yours, maintaining the result later costs only a new syringe of gel rather than starting again. Over a few years that makes professional whitening better value than the initial figure suggests.
