In today’s fast-growing world, first impressions have become all the more important. A vital part of your first look is your smile.
Tooth color plays a huge role in a beautiful smile. This is why teeth whitening treatments are gaining popularity by the day.
If you are to get this procedure in the USA, Canada, the UK or Australia, you might have to pay a fortune.
Conversely, teeth whitening treatment abroad in dental tourism destinations like Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, or El Salvador will cost you 50-80% less.
Alternatively known as dental bleaching, teeth whitening could also be done as part of a broader treatment plan, for example, a full mouth restoration.
Teeth whitening or dental bleaching becomes necessary when the patient’s teeth, especially those at the front, are stained.
Types of Teeth Stains
Tooth staining can be due to various reasons. On the whole, stains can be divided into the following broad categories:
Extrinsic Stains
Only the outer layer of the tooth, i.e., the enamel, is stained. This is why surface bleaching is usually enough to get rid of these stains.
Some of the reasons for extrinsic stains are:
Intrinsic Stains
These stains are present on the inside of the tooth. Surface bleaching won’t get rid of intrinsic stains.
Some of the causes of intrinsic staining are:
Caries
Trauma
Nutritional Deficiency
Low calcium content in your body can also sometimes cause staining.
Fluorosis
Excessive consumption of fluoride can lead to white spots on teeth. This condition is more prevalent in places where the water is fluoride-rich.
Drugs
If a mother consumes tetracycline during pregnancy, especially when the child’s teeth are forming, there might be yellowish staining.
These are known as tetracycline stains.
Dental Material
Genetic or Hereditary Defects
Age Staining
Tooth staining is different for everyone. Two people eating and drinking the same foods might have varying degrees of staining. This depends on the natural make-up of your teeth.
It also depends on the hygiene that you maintain and certain other factors listed below:
Bleaching usually works on yellow teeth more than it does on grayish discolorations. The agent generally used to bleach teeth is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. It can be done in two ways:
In-office whitening
At-home care
Home bleaching kits are also available. These, however, have a specific way of application. You should always talk to your dentist about this before using it.
The concentration of peroxide used in these agents is 3- 20%. There are numerous methods of at-home bleaching as discussed below:
Dental Bleaching Method | How It’s Done |
---|---|
Tooth whitening gels and strips | They are applied directly to the tooth surface and require re-applications to get the final result. |
Tray-based whitening systems | A tray fitting on top of your teeth is fabricated.
You can get these made from your dentist or buy them separately. The peroxide-based gel is placed over the teeth for a few hours. |
Tooth whitening toothpaste | These toothpastes contain abrasives which help remove stains from the surface.
The lightness achieved by them is not much, but for mild staining, the results are satisfactory. |
Non-Vital Dental Bleaching
This dental whitening option is for the tooth which has undergone a root canal treatment (RCT). The difference, in this case, is that the bleaching agent is placed inside the tooth canals.
It remains there for a specified period. This lightens the tooth color internally.
According to a 2018 research study, non-vital bleaching has also shown a positive impact on psychosocial factors and aesthetic perception of patients.
Dental treatment prices in countries such as the USA, the UK, and Australia, are through the roof. A feasible way out is getting your dental treatment done abroad.
You get the same quality treatment for prices that are easy on the pocket.
The following table shows the prices of dental bleaching all over the world, including the top dental tourism destinations.
Country | In-Office Bleaching Cost | At Home Kit Cost |
---|---|---|
United States | $650 | $400 |
United Kingdom | $645 | $415 |
Canada | $650 | $400 |
Australia | $570 | $400 |
New Zealand | $670 | $400 |
Thailand | $288 | $240 |
Mexico | $170 | $150 |
Costa Rica | $300 | $230 |
While in-office teeth whitening in the United States and Canada cost $650, in Mexico, they are priced at just $170.
Australians can look into Thailand for cheap teeth whitening which costs just $288. In Australia, the average price of dental bleaching is $570.
Dental filling costs without insurance varies depending on how many fillings your need, as well as the type of material used to fill the tooth.
1. How are at-home teeth whitening kits different from in-office whitening procedures?
At home bleaching kits are usually less concentrated in terms of peroxide content. They typically have about 3– 20% peroxide concentration as opposed to in-office gels having 10-44% concentration.
Peroxide can also damage and discolor your teeth on prolonged use. So, the lesser strength of at-home self-use kits will make sure you don’t hurt your teeth in the process.
The dental office is a controlled environment, so stronger concentrations can also be applied.
2. Can I get tooth whitening done at a beauty salon?
No! Many beauty salons offer tooth whitening services, but it is illegal to do so. Only a certified dentist is legally allowed to bleach your teeth.
3. How long will dental bleaching last?
Tooth whitening is not a permanent treatment. If you control your consumption of staining foods like tea, coffee, or wine, it can last a few years.
However, if you are a person with a high tea or coffee intake, you should expect the treatment to last a few months.
4. Which dentist is qualified to perform whitening procedures?
A general dentist is well qualified to perform any whitening procedure. If you are looking for an expert in dental and facial aesthetics, a cosmetic dentist might be your go-to specialist.
5. Is it safe to have teeth whitening during pregnancy?
Usually, elective procedures like bleaching are NOT recommended during pregnancy. Most dentist will advise you to wait until after delivery to have this dental treatment due to safety reasons.
6. Does bleaching work on fake teeth?
No. Crowns, veneers or composite restorations will not lighten after bleaching. If you want the same shade as the bleached teeth, the restoration will have to be replaced.
7. Are there any risks or disadvantages?
The main disadvantage of this method is that prolonged use might cause some sensitivity for a few days. This can be very troubling for some patients.
That’s why it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions meticulously. Another minus point is that this treatment is temporary.
8. Can I get my desired tooth shade?
This depends on the type of stain you have. Yellow stains tend to take up bleaching very well.
On the other hand, if you have grayish-black discolorations, this treatment might not be the best option for you. The treated teeth have shown a 2-3 shade change in color after bleaching.
9. What are the other treatment options for getting a Hollywood smile?
In case you have stains which can’t be treated with bleaching alone, there are several other options under cosmetic dentistry that you can look into.
For example, veneers are a developing trend among people who want a Hollywood smile. In very severe cases, sometimes even crowns are placed on the front teeth, to make the smile beautiful.
10. Can tooth whitening damage my enamel?
There is no evidence that the whitening process damages the tooth enamel.
Contact us now for low-cost teeth whitening abroad. We work with top dentists and clinics in Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica, and India.