Teeth Whitening – Dallas, TX
The Ultimate Solution for a Brighter Smile
Even if you’re diligent about brushing and flossing, your teeth will inevitably become discolored over time. That’s just life! Stains can develop over time due to worn tooth enamel, excessive consumption of dark-colored foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, and even genetics. Luckily, you don’t have to live with a smile you’re not proud of. At Dental Center of Lakewood, we offer professional teeth whitening to brighten your pearly whites in no time! If you’d like to learn more about this cosmetic service, continue reading or give our office a call today.
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Truthfully, almost anyone with a stained or discolored smile is a good candidate for teeth whitening in Dallas. Of course, the only way to know for sure whether or not you’re eligible is by having a consultation with our team at Dental Center of Lakewood. We’ll assess your needs, review your medical history, and evaluate your oral health to determine if this solution is right for you. Once you’re ready for treatment, we’ll create a personalized plan to ensure you get the results you desire.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
During your consultation, we’ll explain the difference between our in-office and take-home whitening options. Even though they’re both equally capable of delivering stunning results, the timeline for each one is quite different.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Would you rather undergo treatment from the comfort of your home? If so, you may want to consider our take-home whitening kits. Our dentist will provide you with custom-made whitening trays and a powerful bleaching gel to use at your convenience. You’ll wear them for a predetermined amount of time each day for about two weeks. Once you’re done, your teeth should be significantly whiter!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you want fast, safe, and effective results, you may want to opt for our in-office teeth whitening treatment. In as little as one hour, your smile will be several shades brighter! The high-grade bleaching gel we use will penetrate tooth enamel, removing staining and discoloration below the surface.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once your smile is as white as you want it to be, you’re going to want to do everything possible to keep it that way! Here are some steps you can take to help your pearly whites stay in tip-top shape:
- Watch your intake of dark-colored foods and beverages (i.e., soda, coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce)
- Practice good oral hygiene (i.e., brushing twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash)
- Visiting your dentist regularly to ensure no problems are developing
- Kicking bad habits to the curb (i.e., smoking, biting fingernails, using teeth as tools)
- Getting touch-ups to maintain results
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Don’t like the color of your smile? You’re not alone. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening in Dallas may be the solution you’re looking for! It’s a relatively fast and cost-effective treatment that can help you achieve your desired results. Of course, you likely want to know exactly how much you’ll have to pay before committing to anything. After all, no one wants unnecessary surprises on their bill! If you’d like to learn more about the cost of teeth whitening, continue reading or give our office a call today.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening in Dallas is usually one set price, there are several factors that influence the overall cost. Some of those include:
- The severity of your dental staining and discoloration
- The type of discoloration you have (i.e., intrinsic vs extrinsic)
- Whether you need preliminary treatments like fillings or dental crowns
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Believe it or not, there are many different methods of teeth whitening you can choose from. Since they all come at different price points, here’s what you can generally expect in terms of cost:
- In-Office Treatment: Usually, this runs anywhere between $400 and $800. There are rare instances where it can cost up to $1,000 or more due to certain circumstances.
- Take-Home Whitening Kit: These custom-fit trays typically cost around a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Products: Store-bought whitening trays usually cost $100 or less. A box of strips or gels can each cost somewhere between $20 and $40.
Fast Teeth Whitening vs. Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
Based solely on the numbers above, you may be wondering why professional teeth whitening is so popular, especially because it’s more expensive than what you can purchase at your local drugstore. Well, it’s important to keep in mind that you get what you pay for when it comes to cosmetic dentistry! The quality of your results is clearly reflected in the amount you pay.
People who use cheaper strips/gels typically see little-to-no results or it takes them months to achieve the look they desire. Meanwhile, professional treatments are designed to whiten your smile in no time! With in-office whitening, you can see results in as little as one visit. For take-home kits, your teeth can be several shades brighter in just a week or two. When choosing the right option for you, you need to consider what kinds of results you’re looking for and how fast you want them – not just the price.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Because teeth whitening in Dallas is a cosmetic procedure, it’s almost never covered by traditional dental insurance. Some patients may be hesitant to pursue treatment because they have to find an alternative way to pay for it. Fortunately, we offer CareCredit financing to help make your treatment as affordable as possible. It allows you to split up the total cost into smaller monthly installments. Best of all, most of these payment plans come with little to no interest attached!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many patients are hesitant to commit to treatment because they are worried that it will be painful. Because professional teeth whitening treatments are entirely custom, you are significantly less likely to experience tooth sensitivity. If your teeth are more prone to sensitivity, don’t hesitate to let us know. By spacing out treatments, avoiding hot beverages, and using specialty toothpaste, you can avoid this unpleasant sensation.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
No, teeth whitening does not damage healthy enamel. However, if your teeth are compromised by decay or gum disease, the chemicals used can cause problems. This is why it is so important that you undergo a dental exam beforehand. Additional damage can come from at-home remedies that do more harm than good, like using activated charcoal and hydrogen peroxide to address discoloration. If you want to whiten your smile, you should always consult with a dentist first.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, dental crowns can’t be whitened like natural teeth. Whitening gels can actually weaken the bond between your tooth and restoration, therefore causing complications. Be sure that you share your dental history during your consultation. The good news is that you can keep your crowns from discoloring by implementing the same best practices you use for your natural teeth. If you are unhappy with the shade of your crown, it can be replaced to better suit your smile goals.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Teeth whitening is not permanent. Typically, results will last anywhere from a couple of months to a few years depending on how well you care for your teeth. To prolong the results, implement a solid at-home oral hygiene routine, attend your six-month cleanings and checkups, and avoid poor dental habits. Touchup treatments are also available to keep your teeth bright.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of your teeth whitening treatment from Dental Center of Lakewood can last between several months and several years depending on how well you take care of your pearly whites. The best way to keep your smile bright and shiny is to practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash regularly, but it’s also important to keep up with regular dental checkups at our office in Dallas. You’ll also want to limit your intake of dark foods and beverages like coffee, tea, cola, juice, berries, candy, and richly colored condiments like ketchup, soy sauce, and barbeque sauce. Destructive habits like tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to dental stains and a host of other oral health issues.
What’s the Difference between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Professional-grade and store-bought whitening methods are both designed to lift stubborn dental stains, but treatments from our office in Dallas offer a range of benefits that retail products cannot match. Store-bought whitening products can lead to lackluster or uneven results even after months of use, and some consumers even experience injuries due to user error or poor manufacture. Professional treatments, on the other hand, reliably and safely lift stubborn stains and discoloration in brief timeframes. We’ll also take any existing dental work like crowns and veneers into account so we can find the best way to help you achieve your ideal smile.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Professional teeth whitening treatments are notable not only for their ability to resolve even stubborn dental stains and discoloration, but also how they can do so in brief timeframes. An in-office whitening procedure can brighten a smile by up to eight shades in a single visit, and professional-grade take-home whitening kits can provide similar results in about two weeks. However, some patients with especially tough stains may require additional treatments to achieve their desired results, and we’ll be happy to develop a suitable treatment plan to suit your needs and preferences. Teeth whitening treatments from Dental Center of Lakewood take so little time that they can be excellent ways to achieve a beautiful grin before an upcoming special event like a wedding, graduation, or job interview.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Virtually everyone who isn’t happy with the color of their smile can be an excellent candidate for teeth whitening, but the best way to find out if this treatment can help you is to schedule a consultation at our office in Dallas. We’ll be happy to design an effective treatment plan that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams and give you all the information you need to keep your teeth bright and shiny after the procedure. While oral infections like cavities and gum disease will disqualify you from the treatment, we can usually resolve these issues with appropriate restorative treatments so you can become an excellent candidate later.