Cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, tooth shape, veneers, and gum contouring are typically not covered by dental insurance. These procedures are not considered medically necessary and must be paid for totally by the patient because they are meant to just improve the appearance of your teeth.
How much does it cost to lighten your teeth?
The price of teeth whitening (at John T Green DDS) varies based on the type of whitening treatment you choose. Although at-home teeth whitening kits are less expensive than professional whitening methods, they may not produce as immediate effects and may require more frequent application. Your geographic location, whether any extra procedures are required, how frequently you have the operation performed, and what type of equipment is used to accomplish the teeth whitening are all factors that may influence the total cost of teeth whitening.
Average Cost of Teeth Whitening
A laser whitening treatment, which costs around $1,000 on average, is the most expensive (and most effective) approach for whitening teeth. While this is significantly more expensive than take-home kits or other teeth whitening products, such as gels, gums, or whitening toothpastes, which can range from $5 to $50, having your teeth whitened in-office will result in a significantly brighter smile because your dentist can use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
Having a personalized tray manufactured to fit your particular dental demands is a common alternative for patients who want faster and better outcomes but don’t want to spend a lot of money. Your dentist will provide instructions for wearing the trays at home once the tray has been made. The cost of these custom kits ranges from $250 to $500, plus an additional $30 for annual maintenance.
Preventing Staining from Occurring
Teeth staining can occur for a variety of causes, the most prevalent of which are poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, or excessive consumption of particular foods or beverages. Teeth discoloration might sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem. If you want brighter, whiter teeth but don’t want to pay for expensive dental work, there are a few things you can do to improve the appearance of your teeth.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Practicing good daily oral hygiene practices is one of the most effective ways to avoid and correct discolored teeth. Brush and floss twice a day, preferably with a toothpaste that contains fluoride or whitening ingredients. It’s also a good idea to change your toothbrush every three to four months.
- Forego Staining Foods: While it may be difficult to avoid soda, tea, or a lovely glass of wine, each of these liquids can contribute to the staining of your teeth. Teeth stains can also be caused by foods like tomato sauce and some berries.
- Stop Smoking: There are numerous reasons why it is a good idea to quit smoking, one of which is that tobacco usage not only jeopardizes your health but also stains your teeth, particularly smokeless tobacco.
- Routine Dental Exams: In addition to leading a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet, having your teeth cleaned every six months (or more frequently for patients with periodontal disease) allows your dentist to remove plaque and staining chemicals that will brighten your smile.
Is it worth getting your teeth whitened at the dentist?
How do over-the-counter teeth-whitening solutions stack up against professional teeth-whitening options? Is going to the dentist worth the extra money? Is it safe to whiten your teeth?
Over-the-counter remedies like Crest Whitestrips work OK, but they’re inconvenient to apply and usually only whiten the front six teeth a decent option if your back teeth are capped. Whitening toothpastes and rinses aren’t very effective, and any toothpaste will effectively do the same thing.
Whitening at the dentist’s office is more precise, easier to use, and gives greater results. In our office, we typically employ the tray system since it allows our patients the most options and is simple to touch up every few months to keep that gleam. Be wary of light-activated whitening. The light is more of a marketing gimmick than anything else, and it has never been demonstrated to improve the whitening process.
Many over-the-counter whitening treatments are ineffective because its chemistry is either too weak to bleach the teeth for long enough periods of time, or it is too strong to use and ingest. Professional teeth whitening is a safe, effective procedure that is carried out under the supervision of a dentist. In most circumstances, paying a little extra to see a dentist is worth it if you want long-lasting, safe results.
Yes, when done appropriately, teeth whitening is highly safe. My wife and two adult children’s teeth have all been whitened by me. I’ve even bleached my own teeth. Crest Whitestrips is the only over-the-counter product I could recommend because it is a regulated product. Anything else would be a gamble because we don’t know what the whitening agents are or how powerful they are. The cost of traditional tray whitening has decreased significantly. You should seek for a dentist that offers a ‘Whitening for Life’ service. It’s a great deal!
How long does a teeth whitening last?
The type of bleaching agent your cosmetic dentist uses will play a role in how long your teeth whitening results endure. Although hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are the most common bleaching chemicals, there are diverse quantities and ways. Because there are so many options for teeth whitening, the average results can last anywhere from six months to three years. The majority of the time, though, people’s outcomes last around a year.
The longevity of your bleaching procedure is determined not only by the type of bleaching agent you use, but also by your lifestyle. This is one of the reasons why teeth whitening can last three years for one person but just six months for another. Diet and dental hygiene habits are the two most critical lifestyle factors that influence how long bleaching lasts.
Before we look at how these variables can affect how long your teeth bleaching results last, it’s crucial to understand how teeth bleaching works. The whitener is applied to the surface of your teeth and let to sit when you get your teeth bleached or whitened. It is absorbed into the enamel and dentin layers of your tooth at this period. Once inside these layers, the whitener triggers a molecular-level chemical reaction that effectively destroys the chemicals that cause tooth stains. Even after the whitener has been rinsed off the teeth, it will continue to destroy stains for another 24 hours.
The whitener is safely absorbed by the body after 24 hours and is no longer effective. As a result, it can only remove old stains and not fresh ones. This is why people who consume more brightly coloured meals and beverages see their benefits fade more quickly. Colored molecules are absorbed by the teeth in things like coffee, tea, wine, colored sauces, beets, and spaghetti sauce, to mention a few. The teeth will eventually become stained as a result of this.
Because some of these stains can be removed with regular brushing and flossing, it’s critical to maintain your daily oral hygiene regimen to ensure that your bleaching results last as long as possible. Dental cleanings every six months will also remove extra plaque, making it easier to maintain your teeth clean and stain-free. Brushing promptly after consuming highly colored meals or beverages might also assist to eliminate the pigments before they are absorbed by the teeth.
Overall, professional teeth whitening procedures have the potential to provide effects that last up to three years. However, what you eat and how you care for your teeth will unavoidably effect the longevity of your bleaching results. To keep your new smile, you’ll want to limit the amount of highly pigmented foods and beverages you consume, as well as follow good dental hygiene routines.
Does whitening teeth hurt?
For some people, teeth whitening procedures like in-home whitening trays or strips, as well as laser whitening treatments like Zoom whitening, can cause extreme sensitivity or pain. People who are sensitive to tooth whitening will usually feel discomfort or pain during whitening procedures or in the minutes, hours, or days afterward. Depending on the type of teeth whitening therapy, typical soreness is typically linked to either the teeth or the gums.
To lessen sensitivity and discomfort associated with tooth whitening procedures, there are several preventative and pain-relieving actions that can be performed. What’s more, do you want to know what’s even better? These methods, in general, entail little work on your side and include things like reducing your whitening frequency, using specific types of toothpaste, controlling what you eat, and drinking via straws.
How many sessions does it take to whiten teeth?
Although numerous applications of the bleaching solution may be required, most people only require one tooth whitening treatment session. Wearing the whitening trays for up to two weeks is possible with at-home whitening kits.
Does Blue Light help whiten teeth?
If you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, you’ve probably tried over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions that didn’t work. While these products can lighten the color of your teeth over time, they aren’t powerful enough to make a noticeable hue difference. They also don’t completely eliminate stains from teeth, and even when they do, it can take weeks or months to attain your goals. Professional whitening procedures performed in-office use a higher concentration of whitening agents for a shorter period of time, resulting in quick and long-lasting results. Furthermore, using LED blue light with your whitening treatment helps to brighten and whiten your smile even more.
Does the LED teeth whitening work?
You’re undoubtedly wondering how an LED light can help speed up this procedure. When an LED, or light-emitting diode, is exposed to electricity, it emits a single hue of visible light. UV, or ultraviolet radiation, was once utilized to help in the whitening process. UV light, on the other hand, has been linked to cancer-causing cell alterations.
As a result, LED lights swiftly took over the role of UV lights in whitening processes. LED lights use very little energy, last a long time, and don’t need to be warmed up before use. Their light is more powerful than other varieties of light, but because of their ability to remove heat, they are also much cooler. All of these factors combine to make them an excellent light for teeth whitening.
LED lights are utilized in teeth whitening techniques for one reason: they have been shown in studies to speed up the chemical reactions that remove stains from teeth. Whitening agents, as previously stated, are effective for 24 hours. As a result, increasing the rate of chemical reactions merely implies that more stains can be eliminated in the same amount of time. In the end, the more stains you remove, the brighter your smile will become. In a single whitening treatment, LED teeth whitening may lighten your smile by 6-8 shades on average.
Overall, the use of LED lights in whitening operations has increased the efficiency of whitening agents, resulting in brighter, whiter smiles. Nonetheless, the whitening agent remains the most important component of any whitening procedure. Although results cannot be accomplished only with an LED light, when combined with whitening gels, incredible results can be attained.
Can yellow teeth become white?
Teeth whitening procedures can often be used to improve the appearance of yellow teeth. At Old Town Smiles, we provide cutting-edge teeth whitening treatments that are both efficient and effective. You will have a sparkling smile that is up to ten colors brighter after a treatment with us!
Although at-home whitening treatments might brighten teeth, professional-strength whitening procedures are always faster, more efficient, and provide immediate results. Over-the-counter or at-home treatments do not treat each tooth with the same care and precision. Drugstore whitening solutions frequently take a “one size fits all” approach. In contrast, at our office, we personalize your treatment such that each tooth benefits.
Why won’t my teeth whiten?
Porcelain and most cosmetic bonding materials are resistant to traditional whitening treatments. If you have porcelain veneers, dentures, crowns, or dental implants, or if you’ve had cosmetic bonding or composite tooth-colored fillings, any whitening process will be ineffective.
How can I permanently whiten my teeth?
Everyone can now have a beautiful, bright smile worthy of Hollywood thanks to advancements in cosmetic dental technology. However, some people have an easier time getting a whiter grin than others. While teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dental procedure, it may not be the best choice for everyone. Fortunately, porcelain veneers in Scotts Valley can give you permanently brighter teeth.
The differences between these two common cosmetic dental procedures are outlined here.
Porcelain veneers can be used to correct a range of dental problems, including stains and discolouration.
Veneers are now more accessible and cheap than ever before. The veneer is a very thin porcelain covering that is applied to the front of the tooth or teeth being treated. The procedure for placing these veneers is minimally invasive, requiring just a small amount of existing tooth structure to be removed, just enough to smooth the tooth’s surface and make place for the new restoration.
Veneers can be used to fix a variety of cosmetic concerns, such as worn, chipped, fractured, uneven, misaligned, or oddly shaped teeth. A full set of veneers is required for individuals who are undergoing veneers to achieve whiter-looking teeth. This will ensure that the appearance of all of your teeth is consistent.
Teeth whitening in Scotts Valley can be done in our office at a scheduled appointment or at home with the use of pre-filled silicone trays at your leisure. For our in-office treatments, we are delighted to offer the Zoom! Professional Whitening System, which frequently results in a stunning, brilliant smile worthy of the Hollywood red carpet.
Although teeth whitening has a long-term effect, it does not last indefinitely. Our teeth become discolored and stained as a result of the foods and beverages we consume. Cosmetic dentistry in Los Gatos that produces permanent effects, such as veneers, is the only true approach to get a brilliant, white smile that lasts.
Whether you choose a professional whitening treatment or another cosmetic process such as veneers to get the ideal shade of your teeth, remember that keeping a comprehensive oral hygiene program can extend the effectiveness of these procedures. Brushing and flossing should be done every day, and you should see your Scotts Valley dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and oral examination. Limit your intake of coffee, tea, red wine, and some dark-colored fruits, as they all have the potential to discolor your teeth.