Teeth Whitening – Arnold, MO
Address Discoloration From the Comfort of Your Home
Stubborn stains and heavy discoloration can cause your once white teeth to take on a yellow tinge, making smiling confidently practically impossible. Fortunately, we have the perfect cosmetic dentistry solution to restore your bright, beautiful smile: teeth whitening! This safe, effective, smile-transforming treatment allows you to address discoloration from the comfort of your own home. To learn more about the process and the benefits, keep reading or get in touch with our team to schedule your initial consultation.
Causes of Dental Discoloration
Unlike over-the-counter alternatives, professional teeth whitening treatments are custom-made for each patient. Step number one? Finding out the root of the problem. Here are a few of the most common causes of dental discoloration:
- Consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages, like coffee and berries.
- Use of tobacco products.
- Poor dental hygiene.
- Certain medications.
- Genetics
How Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits Work
If you are ready to brighten, whiten, and transform your smile, then our team is here to help! Opalescene is a professional treatment that uses a special formulation of fluoride and micro-potassium nitrate, which protects enamel and reduces the incidence of post-whitening sensitivity. Because your teeth whitening trays are customized, they provide reliable, effective, efficient, and safe results, and professional teeth whitening can make your smile shades whiter than you could achieve with over-the-counter whitening.
The Benefits of At-Home Teeth Whitening
Opalescence was the first take-home teeth whitening system approved by the ADA, but that isn’t the only reason patients love this smile-enhancing solution. Opalescence has a number of benefits, including:
- A solid reputation for delivering consistent and dramatic results.
- Less tooth sensitivity.
- Various concentrations.
- Custom bleaching trays.
- Fluoride for tooth strength.
- Formula designed to stay in the trays.
Maintaining Your Beautiful Results
The results of your teeth whitening treatment can last anywhere from a few months to a few years – it really depends on how you care for your new and improved smile. To maintain the bright shade of your teeth, make sure to implement the below best practices:
- Schedule and attend your dental checkup and cleaning every six months.
- Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day.
- Treat flossing as important as brushing.
- Avoid dark-colored foods and beverages.
- Quit poor dental habits, like smoking.
Interested in learning more about take-home teeth whitening treatment? Ready to schedule your initial consultation? Get in touch with our team! We’re committed to keeping cosmetic dental care affordable and convenient for everyone in Arnold and the surrounding communities.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
If you’re tired of throwing money down the drain on OTC whitening products, your cosmetic dentist at JL Dental can help. Professional teeth whitening won’t cost you an arm or a leg, despite what you might have heard. Many factors affect the cost of teeth whitening, but we provide the financial solutions you need to revamp your pearly whites. You’ll invest in drastic, lasting results to turn back the clock on your smile.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
No two mouths are identical, and there are many types of tooth discoloration. As a result, there’s no flat fee for teeth whitening. Your cosmetic dentist will examine your mouth to determine the source of your stains to ensure a whitening treatment will be effective. They’ll also check to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, which is a requirement for any elective procedure. Based on the results of their examination, you can expect your estimate to include:
- Preliminary Procedures: It’s not uncommon to need a little prep work, like a dental cleaning, filling, or gum disease therapy.
- Type of Whitening System: There are many brands and types of whitening systems.
After creating your treatment plan, we will provide you with a personalized estimate and explain the fees. You’ll know exactly how much you’ll have to pay before committing to anything.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Every whitening system has different costs. Our office offers take-home teeth whitening, allowing you to achieve in-office results from the comfort of your couch. After your initial consultation and any preliminary treatments, your cosmetic dentist will provide you with custom-fit trays and a professional-strength whitening agent. You’ll use the kit daily for about 2 weeks. Your teeth will whiten gradually, becoming up to 8 shades whiter at the end of your treatment.
OTC Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
OTC whitening products don’t provide noticeable or lasting results because they don’t contain a high concentration of whitening agents. Not to mention, not all stains respond to whitening treatments, and not everyone can use them safely. Visiting a dentist for teeth whitening ensures you’ll reach the results you want without damaging your smile. Your results can last for many months or years, depending on your aftercare routine, like brushing and flossing.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
We offer many solutions to keep a stunning smile within everyone’s budget. We will review all your payment options during your consultation, including:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment methods, including cash, checks, and credit cards.
- Dental Insurance: It’s not common for dental insurance to pay for elective services, like teeth whitening. However, your benefits can cover other aspects of your treatment plan, like any preparatory procedures.
- Monthly Payments: Pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
- Specials: We offer various promotions for select services.
If you have questions about the cost of teeth whitening, or you’re ready to schedule your consultation, contact our office at (636) 238-1833.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
The teeth whitening gel that we use is designed to be both safe and effective for healthy enamel. The acids used are perfectly tuned so that they’re able to break up stains that have deposited themselves onto the teeth without causing any damage to the teeth.
However, there are some instances where there’s a risk of damage, like if you’re suffering from tooth decay. This can bring whitening gel in contact with the nerve tissues inside of the tooth, causing substantial discomfort. We’re well aware of these risks, which is why we perform thorough oral exams before your treatment to ensure that you’re a good candidate.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Professional teeth whitening can be completed from the comfort of your home over the course of several weeks. While you should notice your teeth getting a little bit brighter after every application of the whitening gel, it should take 2-3 weeks to get the full effect of the treatment.
This timeline could be a bit longer if your teeth are unusually discolored, or if you’re dealing with intrinsic discoloration as opposed to extrinsic. We’ll be able to give you a better sense of how long your treatment will take once we have a sense of your particular circumstances.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are generally made from non-porous materials, in contrast to porous enamel. This means that dental crowns generally collect stains much more slowly than your natural teeth, but by the same token, whitening gel is not going to be able to penetrate into your restorations.
This being the case, you cannot use professional whitening solutions to brighten your dental crown. If you’re unhappy with its color, you’ll need to replace it completely.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Teeth whitening is not permanent—eventually, the results of your treatment will fade. Your teeth will stay white anywhere from a couple of months to a few years depending on the quality of your maintenance.
You can prolong the results of your teeth whitening by practicing good dental hygiene, brushing your teeth and flossing them daily. You can also come to us for regular checkups and cleanings, where we’ll be able to polish your teeth.