If a tooth has turned grey or black on the inside due to a dead tooth root, the dentist can perform endodontic treatment to save the tooth and make it white again. This procedure is called medical bleaching. It involves the use of very high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, with a concentration of 30 to 35%. In contrast, for purely cosmetic bleaching, the dentist uses a concentration of just 6%. Products for home use usually contain only 0.5% hydrogen peroxide.

The costs for medical bleaching can be covered by the health insurance company if it is a more cost-effective alternative to crowning the affected tooth. Dentists use the GOZ number 2445a (internal bleaching due to medical necessity according to the dentists' fee schedule), which is specified by the German Dental Association, to bill the health insurance company for medical bleaching.

How much does bleaching at the dentist cost?

The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type of treatment. You can find a detailed breakdown in another post. If it is just a cosmetic measure, it is not considered necessary from a medical point of view, so no health insurance company will contribute to the costs. Patients have the option of choosing different forms of whitening and the number of teeth to be whitened. One way to reduce the cost is to have only the front teeth treated. The dentist will suggest a suitable method that suits the current dental status, but patients have a say.

If the teeth are very dark, for example due to smoking, the costs can be higher. In this case, the dentist will use a stronger bleaching agent and a more complex method. The cost of a treatment at the dentist can range from around 300 to 400 euros to four-figure amounts (up to around 2,200 euros), depending on how many teeth are to be bleached and which method is used.