How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost in the UK? (2026)
Teeth whitening costs in the UK: median £380 from 2,065 practices. In-chair, home kits, and hybrid options compared. Regional prices and what to expect.
How much does professional teeth whitening cost in the UK? Based on data from 2,065 UK dental practices, professional whitening costs a median of £380, with prices ranging from £150 to £696.
Whitening prices by region
| Region | Median | Range (P5–P95) | Practices | |--------|--------|----------------|-----------| | National | £380 | £150 – £696 | 2,065 | | Central London | £400 | £156 – £795 | 352 | | Greater London | £375 | £159 – £696 | 276 | | South (excl. London) | £395 | £150 – £675 | 658 | | Midlands | £380 | £136 – £695 | 363 | | North | £350 | £150 – £600 | 416 |
The North offers the best value at a £350 median. Central London is most expensive at £400.
Types of professional whitening
| Type | Typical cost | How it works | Duration | |------|-------------|-------------|----------| | In-chair (Zoom, Enlighten) | £350–£700 | Concentrated gel + UV/LED light at the dentist | 1 hour appointment | | Home trays (dentist-supplied) | £250–£450 | Custom trays + whitening gel, worn 1–2 hours daily | 2–4 weeks | | Hybrid (in-chair + home) | £400–£800 | Combination of both for maximum results | 1 session + 2 weeks | | Enlighten Evolution | £500–£800 | Premium system guaranteeing B1 shade | 2 weeks home + 1 session |
The most effective whitening combines in-chair treatment with home trays. In-chair alone gives faster but less lasting results. Home trays alone take longer but allow you to top up indefinitely.
Over-the-counter vs professional
| | Professional (dentist) | Over-the-counter | |---|---|---| | Cost | £250–£800 | £20–£80 | | Active ingredient strength | Up to 6% hydrogen peroxide | Max 0.1% hydrogen peroxide | | Custom-fit trays | Yes | No (one-size) | | Results | 3–8 shades lighter | 1–2 shades lighter | | Supervised | Yes | No | | Duration of results | 1–3 years | Weeks |
In the UK, products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can only legally be used by dental professionals. This is why professional whitening is significantly more effective.
How long does whitening last?
Results typically last 1–3 years depending on:
- Diet (coffee, red wine, tea stain teeth)
- Smoking
- Oral hygiene
- Top-up treatments (home trays can be re-used with new gel, typically £30–£50 per syringe)
Is teeth whitening available on the NHS?
No. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure and is not available on the NHS under any circumstances.
Compare dental prices
Compare whitening, veneer, and other cosmetic dental prices across 2,000+ UK practices.
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