What does teeth whitening cost at the dentist?

As a dentist at Tandarts West in Rotterdam West, I get the question almost daily: what does teeth whitening cost? Understandable, because the amounts you find online vary wildly. With us it starts from 99 euros. In this article I explain honestly where that amount comes from, when it turns out higher and what to look out for when you compare the cost of teeth whitening.

What does teeth whitening cost?

Teeth whitening at Tandarts West Rotterdam starts from 99 euros. That is the starting price. Which amount applies to you depends on the whitening option that suits your teeth and your wishes. During the introductory visit we look at your teeth, discuss which result is achievable and give you a personal cost estimate. We only start whitening once you agree.

There is no fixed national rate for the whitening itself, because it is a cosmetic treatment outside the insured package. Dental components, such as the check-up beforehand, are charged according to the statutory NZa rates. Those are the same for every dentist in the Netherlands and you will find them on our page with dental rates.

A fair price starts with looking first. That is why you always hear the amount before we begin.

What does the price depend on?

No two sets of teeth are the same and not everyone wants the same result. These four things determine what teeth whitening costs in your case.

• The option. We work with BlancOne. In the practice we whiten with BlancOne Click, a quick treatment in which the whitening step itself takes about 30 minutes. Click+ is the more intensive option. Whitening at home is possible with Home Night+ and trays we make to measure for you, over 1 to 2 weeks.
• Your starting shade. The darker the discolouration, the more intensive the treatment needed to make a visible difference.
• The condition of your teeth. We only whiten healthy teeth. If there are cavities, leaking fillings or inflamed gums, we solve that first.
• Cleaning beforehand. Plaque and tartar block the whitening gel. A cleaning by the dental hygienist beforehand gives a more even result.

Good to know: fillings, crowns and veneers do not whiten along with your teeth. If you have those on your front teeth, we discuss in advance what that means for the end result. Sometimes another solution fits better, for example veneers. If a single tooth has turned grey or dark, it is often a dead tooth. We whiten that from the inside, which is a different treatment.

Which teeth whitening methods are there?

The price is linked to the method. These are the four ways teeth are whitened, from professional to pharmacy:

• In the practice (BlancOne Click or Click+). The dentist applies the whitening gel and activates it with a lamp. The whitening step takes about 30 minutes, the whole appointment 60 to 90 minutes. Fastest visible result.
• Home whitening with custom trays (BlancOne Home Night+). We take an impression, you wear the trays with gel for 1 to 2 weeks, 15 to 30 minutes a day. A gentler build-up, the same safe concentration.
• Internal whitening of a dead tooth. If a single tooth has turned grey or dark after a root canal treatment or a blow, we whiten it from the inside. That is a separate treatment, read more on the page about a discoloured tooth.
• Whitening strips, pens and toothpaste from the pharmacy. A maximum of 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide. Removes some surface staining at most, does not whiten the tooth itself.

Almost everyone who comes to us for teeth whitening in Rotterdam chooses the in-practice treatment or the home kit. Which suits you, we discuss at the introduction.

Dentist or pharmacy kit: what is the difference?

A whitening kit from the pharmacy is cheaper to buy. Still, it is not a fair comparison. In the European Union, products you can buy freely may contain a maximum of 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide. That is too little for a clearly visible result. A dentist may use up to 6 percent, and only for adults.

So at the dentist you pay for three things a kit does not offer:

• An effective concentration within the legal limit.
• A check-up beforehand, so the whitening gel does not end up in a cavity or on inflamed gums.
• Guidance and aftercare, for example if your teeth react sensitively for a while.

Is professional whitening worth the cost compared to home products?

Do the honest maths. A pharmacy kit costs between 20 and 50 euros, but because of the low concentration it rarely gives a visible difference, so many people buy several. Professional teeth whitening from 99 euros gives a result in one go that lasts 1 to 3 years on average, with a dentist who checks beforehand whether your teeth can take it. Per year of enjoyment the dentist is usually cheaper, and without risk to enamel and gums.

Is teeth whitening reimbursed?

No. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment and is not covered by the basic health insurance. Supplementary dental insurance usually does not cover it either. If you are unsure about your policy, check our page about insurance coverage or ask your insurer.

The check-up beforehand is regular dental care. It falls under the NZa rates and may be reimbursed through your supplementary insurance. We always do such a check-up before we whiten.

How long does whitening take and who should not?

A whitening treatment in the practice is done in one appointment of 60 to 90 minutes, including check-up and preparation. With home whitening you see the result after 1 to 2 weeks. Not everyone can whiten straight away:

• Under 18. Under European rules a dentist may only whiten adults with the effective concentration.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding. There is no evidence of harm, but as a precaution we advise postponing whitening.
• Cavities, leaking fillings or inflamed gums. We treat those first, otherwise the gel reaches places it should not.
• Crowns, veneers and fillings on the front teeth. They do not whiten. Sometimes whitening before replacing a filling makes sense, so the new filling is matched to the lighter shade.
• Very sensitive teeth. Whitening is possible, but with an adjusted schedule and a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

How long does the result last?

On average the result stays visible for 1 to 3 years. How long exactly is largely up to you. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking make the colour return sooner. A maintenance session every 6 to 12 months keeps the result. If you spread the price over the time you enjoy it, teeth whitening turns out reasonable for most people.

Sensitive teeth after whitening

After whitening, your teeth may react sensitively to cold and heat for a while. That is a known side effect that usually disappears by itself within a few days. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth helps. If it lasts longer, let us know. Read more about the causes on our page about sensitive teeth.

How to plan a whitening treatment

At Tandarts West Rotterdam, teeth whitening takes three steps:

1. Introduction and check-up. We look at your teeth, determine your starting shade and discuss your wishes. You receive a personal cost estimate.
2. The whitening treatment. In the practice in one appointment, or at home with made-to-measure trays. You choose what suits you.
3. Aftercare. You get advice on keeping the result for as long as possible.

Read all about the treatment itself on our page about teeth whitening in Rotterdam. Our practice is at Taandersstraat 121 in Rotterdam West, easy to reach from Delfshaven, Middelland and the rest of the city.

Finally: the cheapest option is not always the best value. A treatment that works, is safe and lasts for years gives you more than a kit that does little. At Tandarts West Rotterdam you know in advance what it costs, from 99 euros, and what you get in return.