Professional whitening lightens stained teeth far more than anything you buy at the store. The main choice is where it happens: in the chair for the fastest result, or with a custom take-home tray your dentist makes for you. Pick a method to see the price. Whitening is cosmetic, so insurance does not pay.
Your estimate
Updated 2026-07-06$792 typical ($611 to $1,368)
Medium confidenceBased on CareCredit (in-office laser whitening avg $792, $611-$1,368, ASQ360 2024 study cost tables) (2024 (CareCredit study)). Updated 2026-07-06.
What is included
- In-office laser whitening$792
With insurance
Monthly payment example
About $66/mo over 12 months or $33/mo over 24 months. Just an example, based on a 0% promo plan and the typical estimate. This is not an offer, and the real terms and approval depend on the lender.
This is an estimate, not a quote or a treatment offer, and not medical or financial advice. The figures are modeled from public sources and shown as ranges with a date and a confidence level. For a real number, ask your dentist for a written treatment plan and check coverage with your own plan.
Teeth whitening costs
Professional whitening cost by method
In-office whitening usually costs about $583 to $792 per session depending on the system, with real quotes running roughly $460 to $1,370. A custom take-home tray kit from your dentist runs about $438, usually landing between $375 and $500. Drugstore strips cost way less but lift fewer shades. Pick a method in the calculator to compare.
In-office vs take-home trays
In-office is the fast lane: professional-strength gel, about an hour in the chair, and the biggest single-visit change, for the highest price. Custom trays from your dentist cost less, work over a couple of weeks at home, and the trays are reusable with refill gel, which makes them the value pick if you want to maintain your results. Strips are the budget entry point, fine for mild staining but limited when the discoloration goes deeper.
How long results last, and the cost of upkeep
Usually six months to two years, and your habits decide which end you land on. Coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking re-stain the fastest. Whitening is a cycle, not a one-and-done purchase, so most people keep it up with occasional take-home touch-ups instead of repeat in-office sessions, which is why the custom tray kit often wins on total cost over a few years even if in-office does the first big lift. Just budget for refill gel every year or so, not only the first visit.
Stains it works on, and safety
It depends on the stain. Surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and smoking respond really well. Gray or banded discoloration that comes from inside the tooth, from medication, injury, or just aging, often doesn't budge, and that's the honest reason some people whiten and barely see a change. A dentist can tell you which type you've got before you spend a dime. As for safety, side effects are usually just temporary tooth sensitivity and a little gum irritation for a day or two, which is normal and fades.
Whitening and insurance
It doesn't. Whitening is purely cosmetic, so no standard dental plan covers it. It's also worth knowing that whitening only works on natural enamel, so crowns, veneers, and bonding won't lighten. If you've got visible dental work, talk to your dentist about matching it before you whiten around it.
Common questions
How much does Zoom whitening cost?
Zoom, a common in-office lamp system, usually runs about $583 per session, and laser-assisted sessions go higher at about $792.
Can I pay for whitening with HSA or FSA money?
Generally no. Whitening is cosmetic, and cosmetic dental work isn't a qualified medical expense for pre-tax accounts.
How often can I whiten my teeth?
Go by your dentist's advice instead of a set schedule. Most people do fine with occasional take-home touch-ups once or twice a year rather than repeating in-office sessions.