Sometimes stains and discolored spots appear on your teeth and won’t go away regardless of how hard or how often you brush. Our experts at Moreno & Young Dental can help you refresh your grin with our take-home whitening kits. You can brighten your smile in as little as two weeks with a whitening option that uses safe, reliable professional ingredients. Contact us today to learn more about at-home whitening and how it can help you enhance your teeth.
If you want to use cosmetic dentistry to transform your smile, the first step is to figure out what kind of treatment is right for you. At-home whitening can be an option worth considering when your smile is discolored in some way, no matter how many or how few teeth are affected.
Naturally, we’ll ask about your smile goals when you first visit our office to ask about at-home whitening. However, we’ll also need to take a look at your teeth and gums. It’s not advisable to have cosmetic dentistry done if you have gum disease or another oral health problem. We’ll let you know if any preliminary procedures are needed to protect your smile. Once your teeth and gums are in good shape again, we can discuss having teeth whitening done.
The professional whitening kits we offer have two main features. The first is a number of trays that are designed to fit comfortably on your specific teeth. The second is bleaching gel containing ingredients that are highly effective when it comes to removing different types of dental stains.
After filling the trays with bleaching gel, you need to put them in your mouth and wear them for a certain number of hours. You’ll do this every day while undergoing the treatment. After a short amount of time (usually around two weeks), you’ll be able to look in the mirror and see for yourself how the shade of your smile has improved.
How can you keep your revitalized smile looking gorgeous after teeth whitening? The results may not last forever, but you can preserve them for a very long time if you follow these tips:
If you’ve never had any kind of cosmetic work done before, teeth whitening is an excellent place to start. However, patients embarking upon this kind of dental work for the first time may find that they’re concerned about paying for care that isn’t going to be covered by insurance.
Thankfully, we make it as easy as possible. Here’s what you should know about budgeting for teeth whitening.
Typically, any teeth whitening procedure that you get will be offered at a set price, so the primary variable that will affect the cost of this care is how many rounds of treatment are necessary. This depends on a few factors, like the amount of discoloration that present. There’s also the issue of whether your tooth’s color comes from stains on top of the tooth, or from within the tooth itself. The latter tends to be harder to deal with.
We also wouldn’t recommend teeth whitening if you’re dealing with any serious oral health problems, so if you need fillings or gum disease therapy, you should also incorporate that into the cost of teeth whitening.
As you may be aware, there are several different kinds of teeth whitening, both professional and DIY. Each of these treatments entail their own price point, with some being cheaper than others.
On the professional side, you can get either in-office whitening or take-home whitening. The former is quicker but more expensive, usually costing around $400-800. Take-home whitening, on the other hand, usually only costs a few hundred dollars.
Then there are DIY options, which are dramatically cheaper. DIY whitening kits will usually cost you $100 dollars or less, and whitening strips are about $40 per box.
If you’re looking to get whiter teeth on the cheap, you may be tempted to pursue the DIY options listed above. However, you may want to hear a little bit about what you’re missing out on.
When you get professional teeth whitening, you’ll be under our supervision. This allows us to check for any oral health problems that could cause complications for your procedure. You could wind up in a fair amount of pain due to untreated tooth decay or gum disease.
These DIY kits also aren’t as effective as what we would give you, which means that you’re either going to get disappointing results. With our whitening treatments, we can guarantee not only your safety, but your results as well.
That said, it’s completely understandable to be concerned about the cost of treatment, which is why we offer methods of making the care you receive from us more affordable.
We accept financing through CareCredit, a firm that offers six-month-no-interest plans to patients who qualify, in addition to a host of other terms for those that need more time to pay.
With these flexible financing options at your fingertips, we’ll be able to help you get excellent dentistry no matter your budget.
Teeth whitening in Bellingham can revamp your smile by getting your enamel significantly whiter. Don’t worry if you have a few concerns. Your cosmetic dentist at Moreno & Young will explain exactly what you can expect on the road ahead. You can also find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening below. If you don't see what you’re looking for, contact our office to speak with a member of our dental team.
When used under the supervision of a cosmetic dentist, teeth whitening will not damage your enamel, if you’re a candidate for it. You must have healthy teeth and gums before any elective service, including whitening treatments. Teeth whitening is effective in treating surface stains. Professional whitening systems will not harm your enamel, but it is important to space out your sessions to avoid tooth sensitivity.
Teeth whitening shouldn’t hurt if your mouth is healthy and when used according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Your cosmetic dentist in Bellingham can also tailor your treatment to your comfort level, so let them know if you’re prone to sensitivity. They may recommend desensitizing toothpaste. It’s best to avoid hot or cold foods and drinks for 24-48 hours. Avoid overusing whitening products, including those available over-the-counter, to reduce your risk of sensitivity.
Dental crowns aren’t porous, like your enamel. As a result, whitening ingredients won’t have any effect on their color. Your teeth will get whiter, but your crown will be unchanged. This can cause it to stand out and look unnatural. Not to mention, the whitening agents can weaken the bonding material holding your crown in place. Thankfully, your crown shouldn’t discolor with the right aftercare, like using non-abrasive dental products. If you have concerns about discoloration, your cosmetic dentist can create a personalized treatment plan to brighten your smile while ensuring consistent results.
Dental insurance rarely covers elective procedures, like teeth whitening. However, you might be able to use your benefits for your consultation or diagnostic services after a co-payment. Your insurance may cover some of the expenses for medically necessary treatments, like a dental cleaning or filling. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable coverage. Our office offers various financial solutions to keep a stunning smile affordable, like third-party financing with CareCredit. You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using monthly installments, based on your credit approval.
