
Don’t let the teeth whitening cost stop you from attaining the smile you’ve always wanted. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in dentistry today. That makes perfect sense when you consider that it is a relatively cost effective solution that makes teeth whitening affordable for many patients.
However, there are many people who want teeth whitening, but are a bit worried about the costs. That is why this article is going to cover how much it costs, as well as other important factors to give you a full picture of what you’re left with after teeth whitening.
Need teeth whitening? Book an appointment with Dr Soraya Eatkins here.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The cost of professional teeth whitening is difficult to pin down, as there are a lot of factors that will ultimately affect the final cost, such as;
- Your dentist
- The location of the dental practice
- The condition of your teeth
- The method of teeth whitening used
- Any extra procedures needed
That is why one of the reasons why the initial consultation is so important. It allows your doctor to examine your teeth and gain an understanding of what you need for an effective teeth whitening, which will then inform the cost.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening does not last forever. Typically, it can last as long as 2-3 years, or as short as 6 months. It depends on how well you look after your teeth post-whitening. For example, your teeth will be more likely to retain their whiteness if you avoid staining your teeth with cigarettes or foods such as tea, coffee and beetroot.
If you try to use a home teeth whitening solution, you might be ignoring a dental condition that is causing your teeth to stain and requires treatment.
Does medicare cover teeth whitening?
Medicare doesn’t cover most dental care, procedures, or supplies, like cleanings, teeth cleanings, tooth extractions, dentures, plates, or other dental devices.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain services that you get when you’re in a hospital. Part A can pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated procedures, even though it doesn’t cover dental care.
If you want a teeth whitening procedure, your options are to either pay entirely out of pocket, or pay part of the cost via your private health insurance.
Does private health insurance cover this service?
Some private health funds do offer slight rebates for cosmetic procedures, as part of their Extras package. Keep in mind that each insurance provider is different so you will need to check your policy.
Extras cover provides you with a ‘percentage benefit’ on the total cost of a health-related service, such as a teeth whitening. The remaining amount, which is not covered by Medicare or your health fund, is called a ‘gap fee’ or an out-of-pocket expense that you pay.
The percentage benefit you receive will depend on your extras policy and level of cover. Basic cover will have more limits and fewer services while comprehensive policies may cover a wider variety of services and procedures. Depending on your private health fund, teeth whitening can fall under either basic or comprehensive cover, so it is important to check.
Does Greenvale Dental Group offer alternate payment plans?
All accounts must be paid on the day of treatment at Greenvale Dental Group. Our practice accepts all major credit and debit cards. We also accept all insurance cards, and are preferred providers for BUPA, Medibank and HCF, which usually gives you more rebates and lower prices. We can also help you apply for third-party funds through Humm, which are special, low interest lines of credit specific for medical and dental treatments, if you would like to consider payment plans. Application is online and approval is usually within 24 hours.
An itemised quote plus treatment plans will be provided at your consultation, so you will know what to expect regarding the teeth cleaning cost in Melbourne. Our team will also assist in easing the financial burden of your treatment plan if possible, by spreading your appointments. Talk to our friendly staff about your preferred options.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a dental procedure that aims to lighten the colour of the teeth. Over time, your teeth can go from white to not-so-bright for a number of reasons, such as foods and drinks, tobacco, age, medications and trauma. Teeth whitening exists as a way to restore the bright white appearance of stained teeth.
It is completed by dental professionals and involves chemically treating the teeth with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These are the main ingredients used in tooth whitening products by dentists in Australia. The strength of the tooth whitening gel used depends on whether the treatment is completed at a dental clinic or at home. Higher strength whitening gels can be used by dentists.
What types of teeth whitening are there?
There are two main ways a dental professional can provide treatment to whiten teeth:
One hour chair side whitening
In-chair or in-office teeth whitening treatment is performed by a dentist whilst you are sitting in the dental chair. This treatment uses strong hydrogen peroxide gel and often a light is placed over the teeth. You should leave your dental appointment with whiter teeth.
In order to ensure the effectiveness and longevity of your teeth whitening, your dentist may also suggest that you use a take-home whitening treatment so you can maintain the whiter tooth colour at home.
DIY take home whitening kit
Take-home teeth whitening treatment is completed at home by the patient in consultation with their dentist. The dentist will custom-make thin, plastic trays that fit over the surface of your teeth only. At home, the teeth whitening gel is placed in these trays and then worn for a set amount of time.
Your dentist will advise you on how to place the whitening gel in the trays, how much gel to use each time, as well as how long to wear the trays. This method of teeth whitening does take longer than treatment completed in the dental clinic, but this does not mean that the final result is better or worse. Your dentist will discuss your options and provide advice on what type of treatment is best for you.
Where can I get affordable teeth whitening in the northern suburbs?
If you’re looking for a dentist who can provide an affordable teeth whitening procedure in many of the northern suburbs of Melbourne (such as Greenvale), contact us and we will provide you with a modern, caring approach to your dental health here in Melbourne.
We offer high-quality dental services at our clinic to patients from Greenvale and surrounding suburbs like Craigieburn, Tullamarine, Pascoe Vale, Airport West, Melbourne Airport, Mickleham, Oaklands Junction, Attwood, Roxburgh Park, Meadow Heights, Westmeadows, Campbellfield and Donnybrook.

Dr Soraya is the principal dentist and owner of Greenvale Dental Group with over 25 years’ experience in the field of dentistry.
Soraya’s areas of treatment include general dentistry, dental emergencies, dental implants, endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and crown and bridge dentures.
You can find more about Dr. Soraya Eakins through her LinkedIn, or you can book an appointment with her through HotDoc.