Dental Health: Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

1. Does insurance cover the cost of whitening procedures?

No. Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of the tooth whitening procedure.

2. How long do the whitening effects last?

Whitening is not permanent. People who expose their teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as 1 month. Those who avoid foods and beverages that stain may be able to wait one year or longer before another whitening treatment or touch-up is needed.

3. Do teeth whiteners damage tooth enamel?

Studies of whitening products using 10% carbamide peroxide showed little to no effect on the hardness or mineral content of a tooth's enamel surface.

4. Do teeth whiteners damage existing dental restorations?

Over 10 years of clinical use of whitening products containing 10% carbamide peroxide have not shown any damage to existing fillings. The issue is not "damage" to existing restorations; rather, keep in mind that existing restorations such as tooth-colored fillings, crowns, bonding, veneers, and bridges do not lighten. This means that any preexisting dental work may need to be replaced to match the new tooth shade achieved in the natural teeth, should a bleaching process proceed.

5. Do teeth whiteners damage a tooth's nerve?

There's no evidence to date that the tooth whitening process has a harmful effect on the health of a tooth's nerve. One study reported that at both a 4.5 and 7-year follow up, no individual who used a tooth whitening system needed a root canal procedure [link: 9.12]on any teeth that had been whitened.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry.