Teeth Whitening – Denison, IA
Make Your Pearly
Whites Nice & Bright!
Even if you brush and floss often, your teeth will likely stain at some point. It’s a fairly common issue – even oral care experts can have discolored smiles. That said, you don’t have to live with a brown or yellow grin. You can always brighten up your chompers with teeth whitening! As offered by Dr. Bygness and his team, this service helps your pearly whites live up to their nickname. To learn more about it, keep reading or book a consultation visit soon!
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
In general, almost anyone can get teeth whitening. The procedure doesn’t have stringent requirements. That said, it does benefit some more than others. Ideal candidates are usually patients with stubborn tooth stains, especially people who want a confidence boost.
However, note that discolored teeth aren’t all the same. Teeth whitening works better on extrinsic stains – those caused by foods and drinks. In contrast, it doesn’t remove intrinsic stains beneath your enamel. The same goes for discoloration from enamel loss. (After all, there aren’t stains to erase in this latter case.)
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Professional teeth whitening is customized for each patient. At our practice, though, it usually takes one of two forms. The first is a take-home kit, which allows you to brighten your smile flexibly and conveniently. In-office whitening is the second option, with you undergoing care at Dr. Bygness’ office. Regardless of the method, treatment should give you a grin six to eight shades brighter.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
With take-home whitening, a patient uses a dentist-provided kit. It has you wear gel-infused trays over your teeth for a few hours daily. After doing so for roughly two weeks, your grin will be noticeably brighter. This process is also flexible, as you can decide the time of day to wear the trays.
Just to be clear, these results only come from a dentist’s take-home kit. Those bought from a store won’t work nearly as well. Worse yet, these substitutes are often harmful and damage your teeth.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
As its name suggests, in-office whitening takes place at our office. That means Dr. Bygness will apply GLO whitener onto your teeth. Once this gel sets, he’ll expose it to a special light that activates it. All in all, the whole process only takes a one-hour dental visit.
Luckily, in-office whitening is highly safe. The gel used is non-toxic and won’t harm your teeth or gums
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening isn’t permanent, so you should do everything possible to help it last. Luckily, there are various ways to maintain its results. Some of the best ones include the following:
- Avoid Stain-Agents – Avoid foods and drinks with tannins, which are complex compounds that stain teeth. Such items include red wine, berries, coffee, etc.
- Eat More Dairy – When you eat dairy products, you’ll strengthen your teeth and their enamel. Plus, they usually lack dyes and won’t stain your grin.
- Practice Good Oral Care – To avoid plaque buildup that causes stains, brush twice daily and floss once daily.
- Get Touch-ups – Before an earlier whitening session wears off, get a new one to keep your smile bright.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
A more confident smile is within reach when you choose 32 & You Family Dental & Orthodontic Arts to brighten your pearly whites. When determining the cost of teeth whitening, though, Dr. Bygness will need to perform an initial examination and go over your treatment goals before moving forward. This will not only allow our team to provide a clearer plan that produces whiter results but also deliver a cost estimate you can review before agreeing to receive care. No matter the cost, you can trust our team to deliver the kind of results you desire and can afford.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
What will Dr. Bygness consider when factoring the cost of your teeth whitening treatment?
- The severity of your tooth stains (surface or deep, set-in discoloration)
- Your age (age-related stains are common among older adults)
- Whether you require gum disease treatment or custom restorations to address decay, infection, or damage
- If you have existing dental restorations (i.e., dental crowns, veneers, a dental bridge, dental fillings, etc.)
After learning more about your smile, we will deliver a clear explanation regarding the cost of care, so you can look at your budget and determine how best to move forward.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Whether it’s provided by a trusted cosmetic dentist in Denison or bought off a drugstore shelf, there are many whitening products to choose from, each with a different price point:
- In-Office Whitening: The average cost is between $400 and $800, with some going as high as $1,000.
- Take-Home Whitening: You can expect to spend between $200-$300 for custom trays and high-grade whitening gel.
- Store-Bought Whitening Trays: These may cost up $100, depending on the brand. Although effective in removing some surface stains, they’re not fully reliable.
- Store-Bought Strips, Gels, & Toothpastes: You’ll likely pay between $20-$30 for these popular products; however, you’ll be unlikely to get the results you really want.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Since cost is one of the primary factors you might consider before agreeing to professionally whiten your smile, you may be thinking it’s better to purchase a store-bought solution to save money. Here’s why you should think twice:
- Store-bought products often do not contain enough of the active ingredient needed to penetrate enamel and eliminate deep-down stains.
- They often cause heightened tooth sensitivity, making it an uncomfortable process.
- You risk harming your gums if you are using one-size-fits-all whitening trays, as the bleaching gel can spill over onto the soft oral tissues.
- Your whitening treatment will likely be uneven, as strips and trays are not customized to fit all over your teeth.
Choosing to invest in professional teeth whitening will not only keep your entire smile safe but also be worth the time and money when you see the results. Surface and deep-down stains will no longer be an issue after undergoing in-office or take-home whitening with Dr. Bygness.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
When learning that your dental insurance company will not pay for teeth whitening, you may wonder if there is another way to save on high out-of-pocket costs. Fortunately, there is - CareCredit financing. There is no need to use your money to pay upfront when, instead, you can apply for one of their low- or no-interest financing plans. Varying in payback length, these options make it easy to choose one that works with your budget and timeline.
Instead of being responsible for emptying your wallet at the start of treatment, you can use CareCredit and pay off the total amount over time.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening in Denison should not hurt if your teeth and gums are healthy. Modern whitening systems are formulated to reduce the risk of sensitivity. Your cosmetic dentist can also tailor your treatment to your comfort needs. Let your dentist know if you're prone to sensitivity. They may recommend using desensitizing toothpaste before your treatment. It's best to avoid hot or cold foods and drinks for at least 24 to 48 hours after teeth whitening to avoid discomfort.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Teeth whitening will not damage your enamel if your mouth is healthy and when performed by a trained dental professional. It's important to space out whitening treatments to avoid harming your enamel. This includes the use of over-the-counter whitening products, like toothpaste, strips, and mouthwashes.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Modern dental crowns are made of ceramic materials, which are stain-resistant. Your restoration should not discolor, but your enamel is still subject to staining. Although teeth whitening can get your enamel many shades whiter, it will not have any effect on the color of your crown because it is not porous. Using whitening products with restorations can cause them to stand out because your teeth will become brighter while your crown is unchanged. In addition, whitening ingredients may also weaken the dental cement holding your crown in place, which may cause it to fall off. You don't have to live with tooth discoloration. Your cosmetic dentist in Denison will create a personalized treatment plan to get your smile its brightest.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Your dazzling smile can stay bright for many months or years. Many factors will affect the duration of your results. You can get the most from your investment by committing to good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss your teeth every day to remove the buildup your toothbrush can't reach. Moderate your consumption of any foods or drinks that may stain your teeth, like coffee, berries, or red wine. If you can't resist your morning trip to Starbucks, rinse your mouth with water after you finish. It's best to stop smoking to prevent tar and nicotine stains. Don't forget to schedule a cleaning and checkup with your dentist every 6 months to keep your mouth healthy. They can also provide you with a touch-up kit to keep your smile its whitest.