How much does teeth whitening cost in London?
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the UK, and prices range from a few pounds for a kit online to several hundred at a dental practice. This guide explains what you’re paying for with professional whitening, so you can compare like with like.
The short answer
At our practice in Bow, East London:
- Boutique™ whitening is £341.
- Enlighten™ whitening is £669, with a guaranteed result of shade B1, the whitest natural shade.
- A Teeth Whitening Consultation is £54. Your dentist checks your teeth and gums and tells you which option suits you.
Both whitening prices include your custom-made trays, the full course of whitening gels and a review appointment. Every fee is published in our fee guide.
What’s included, and what to check elsewhere
Professional whitening prices can look very different until you check what each one covers. When you compare, ask:
- Are the trays made for your mouth? Trays made in a laboratory from a mould of your teeth hold the gel evenly against every tooth. One-size trays let it leak onto your gums.
- Is the full course of gel included, or only the first few days?
- Is there a review appointment to check your result and shade?
- Is the result guaranteed? With Enlighten, reaching shade B1 is guaranteed.
- Who is doing it? Every dentist in the UK is on the GDC register, and you can check their number. Ours are listed on our team page.
Boutique vs Enlighten: the costs
| Boutique™ whitening | Enlighten™ whitening | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at our practice | £341 | £669 |
| Best for | Great results, flexible wear | The whitest natural shade, guaranteed |
| How you wear it | 1 hour a day, or overnight | Overnight for 2 weeks, then 1 hour a day |
| Food and drink | Some restrictions advised | No restrictions |
| Typical course | 2 to 3 weeks | 3 weeks |
Our guide to Enlighten vs Boutique whitening explains the differences in more detail.
What else can affect the cost?
Fillings, crowns and veneers don’t whiten. Only natural teeth get lighter. If you have tooth-coloured work on your front teeth, it may need replacing afterwards to match your new shade, and that’s priced separately. Your dentist will tell you at your consultation.
A hygiene visit first. Removing plaque and surface stain before you start helps the gel work evenly. Your dentist may recommend one.
Any treatment your teeth need first. Teeth and gums need to be healthy before whitening, so cavities are treated first.
Why is “cheap” whitening cheaper?
In the UK, only a dentist, or a dental professional working to a dentist’s prescription, is allowed to whiten teeth. Beauty salons and mobile “whitening bars” that offer it are breaking the law, and the burns and patchy results we see afterwards are why the law exists. Kits sold online use weaker gels in one-size trays, so results are usually smaller. If a price looks too good to be true, check the provider’s GDC registration first.
Cost over time
Professional whitening can last a long time with a little upkeep. With Enlighten, results can last indefinitely if you wear your trays for one night every other month. Keep your trays safe: they can be used again for top-ups, so you only need more gel rather than starting again.
If you’re also thinking about composite bonding, whiten first. Composite doesn’t lighten with whitening gel, so it’s matched to your new shade afterwards. Our guide to composite bonding vs teeth whitening explains which you need.
Getting started
Book a Teeth Whitening Consultation (£54). Your dentist will check your teeth and gums, take moulds for your trays if you’re ready to go ahead, and tell you which system suits you. You’ll see the full result two to three weeks after you collect your trays. You can read more about teeth whitening in East London on our treatment page.
Book online at any time, or call us on 020 8821 2830.
