Teeth Whitening – Lebanon, NH
Say Goodbye to Stains
Even if your teeth are quite healthy, you might be dissatisfied with their color. Yellow, stained teeth can detract from your smile’s glow and perhaps even negatively affect your confidence. Instead of turning to unreliable — and sometimes unsafe — over the counter teeth whitening options, we suggest that you visit a cosmetic dentist for a professional bleaching service. We offer both in-office and take-home treatments that can remove years of stains and give your teeth a brand new glow.
Causes of Dental Discoloration
Our society places a high value on bright white teeth — but did you know that teeth are not naturally that color? Even when they are free of significant stains, they tend to be slightly yellow or grayish. Whitening is often necessary to achieve a truly brilliant smile. That is especially true if additional factors have caused teeth to look excessively dark, yellow, or otherwise discolored. Genetics, the consumption of certain foods and beverages (coffee, red wine, etc.), tobacco use, and medication can all contribute to stains on the teeth.
In-Office Zoom! Whitening
Zoom! is our in-office treatment of choice. The procedure is simple and usually takes only one hour or so. During your appointment, we start by applying protective barriers to prevent the whitening gel from irritating the soft tissues in your mouth. Then, we place the gel on the teeth and use a special light to enhance its stain-fighting power. We may rinse and reapply the gel a few times during your visit. Once the treatment is complete, your teeth should be several shades whiter than when you arrived at our office.
We generally recommend in-office treatments for patients who want to achieve a brighter smile as quickly as possible and who do not struggle with significant tooth sensitivity.
Take-Home Whitening
For patients who prefer to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their own home, or who believe that an in-office whitening treatment would be uncomfortable, we offer convenient take-home kits. The kits combine a high-strength whitening gel with snug trays that keep the gel on the teeth. All you have to do is follow the directions with your kit, and you will likely begin to see brighter teeth within a few days. It usually takes about two weeks for at-home whitening to produce optimum results.
In addition to being a standalone whitening method, take-home kits are also ideal for patients who want to touch-up the results of an in-office treatment.
Getting Started with Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry treatments. It can also have a huge impact on your overall appearance, perhaps even making you look younger and seem more successful. It is a worthwhile investment!
If you are interested in this transformative treatment, reach out to our friendly team. We will be happy to answer your questions, explain your treatment options in more detail, and arrange a consultation for you. We take pride in providing top-quality cosmetic care, and we want you to love your smile!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is among the more affordable cosmetic dentistry services; its price starts out at just a few hundred dollars. When you visit us for a consultation, we can share some specific numbers with you that align with your personalized treatment plan. We can also help you understand your payment options.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
In most cases, teeth whitening is one set price. However, its cost may be higher if:
- Your teeth are severely discolored. Severe stains can take more time and effort to correct than milder forms of discoloration. Therefore, you can expect higher fees.
- The type of discoloration present. Most types of stains respond well to standard teeth whitening formulas. This includes a variety of both intrinsic (inside the enamel) and extrinsic (on the surface of the enamel) stains. However, some stains may take special measures to remove, which can increase the total cost of your care.
- Preliminary care. Some patients need fillings or other restorative procedures before they can get cosmetic treatment. These services come with their own price.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are four main categories of teeth whitening, each of which has a different general price range:
- In-office teeth whitening is usually the highest priced option, often costing around $400 - $800. In some cases, it might be $1,000 or more depending on circumstances. This is the fastest way to whiten teeth.
- A professional whitening kit with custom trays and a custom formula usually costs a few hundred dollars. This option is powerful and convenient.
- Over-the-counter whitening trays, which are not customized, may run around $100 for a two-week whitening course.
- Whitening strips and gels are the cheapest option. Often, you can find them for $20 - $40. They usually have enough product for a two-week whitening course.
Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening
When you look at the numbers listed above, you may wonder why anyone would choose professional teeth whitening. After all, much cheaper options are available! There are a few reasons:
- Professional whitening formulas are more concentrated than over-the-counter options, so you can expect more dramatic results in a shorter period of time.
- Professional teeth whitening puts patient safety first. We will thoroughly examine your mouth before providing your whitening services. Plus, we only use products that have a track record of both safety and effectiveness. In contrast, some OTC products may be bad for your teeth.
- Professional whitening is customizable, so it can be adapted for patients with sensitive teeth or other considerations.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is classified as a purely cosmetic procedure, so you should not expect your dental insurance to cover it. However, there may be other provisions you could use to brighten your smile on a budget:
- Specials. We periodically offer specials on teeth whitening, so feel free to ask us what our current offers are.
- Many patients qualify for a low-interest payment plan through a third-party company like CareCredit or Sunbit.
- Membership plan. The Essential Dental plan provides reduced fees on most of the services available in our office.
Are you ready to brighten up your smile? Contact our Lebanon team so we can answer all your questions!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Our team is ready to help you brighten your smile with teeth whitening in Lebanon. Before you schedule your cosmetic consultation, however, you may have questions about the road in front of you. To help you feel more confident about committing to treatment, we have compiled a list of answers to some frequently asked questions about whitening treatments. Feel free to give us a call if you would like further explanation about anything you discover here.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Tooth enamel is porous, and teeth whitening works by gently opening those pores so a bleaching agent can get rid of even deep-set stains. For many patients, a side effect of their teeth’s pores being opened is that they experience a temporary increase in dental sensitivity. Hot and cold foods and beverages may therefore cause some irritation.
If you are prone to sensitive teeth, let our team know. We can adjust your whitening treatment to be as gentle as possible.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Professional and over-the-counter whitening products often have similar ingredients and use similar methods for application. Both are designed to break up pigment molecules in teeth and produce a brighter smile.
However, there are some distinct differences between professional and OTC options:
- Professional treatment is more powerful. A cosmetic dentist in Lebanon can provide a much more concentrated whitening formula than anything you could buy over the counter. You can therefore expect faster, more noticeable results.
- Professional treatment is customized. Professional whitening may involve custom trays and a whitening formula with a concentration that is customized to your unique circumstances.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of a whitening treatment may last anywhere from a few months to a few years. Here are some tips to help your bright smile last as long as possible:
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning.
- Stick to a thorough oral hygiene routine. You may choose to use a whitening toothpaste to reduce new surface stains on your teeth.
- Limit your intake of dark foods and beverages, like coffee, red wine, and berries.
- Drink plenty of water.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you have stubborn stains on your teeth that you would like to get rid of, teeth whitening may be right for you. It is a safe and effective option for most patients. However, there are some individuals for whom it may not be right. For example, if you have veneers or other restorations on your front teeth, the bleaching formula may whiten your natural teeth but not your restorations, which could lead to a mismatched smile. Untreated cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems can be other contraindications for teeth whitening.