Teeth whitening is a popular dental treatment. Teeth whitening solutions can remove stains and improve the appearance of discoloured teeth, and there are different methods to consider if you’re unhappy with the colour of your teeth. At-home whitening kits are available for purchase at your local drug store, or you can choose professional in-office teeth whitening treatments completed by a dentist.
In-office whitening treatments are the most effective, and the dentist will monitor the process to ensure your gums and teeth remain healthy. The treatment is safe and controlled, and risks are minimized when a dentist completes this process. They will use the appropriate concentration of bleaching gel to provide patients with visible results. At-home whitening kits contain low-dose bleaching agents and are only recommended if you want to lighten the colour of your teeth by one or two shades.
The Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatments
Many patients are interested in teeth whitening solutions but hesitate because of costs. At-home kits are more affordable than in-office whitening treatments, although you have to consider your dental goals and what you’d like to achieve from your smile. This will help you determine which teeth whitening treatment is best for your circumstances.
In-Office: Professional Dental Whitening
In-office dental whitening is one of the most comprehensive options; although the procedure is easy, you should leave your dentist’s office with a noticeably whiter smile! The cost will vary from one dental office to another, and you can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to upwards of a thousand.
Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser teeth whitening is another popular option you can consider and is ideal if you want a quick and easy treatment. This is usually the most expensive dental whitening method because it is advanced, and most dental insurance programs will not cover this treatment. The average cost is anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 per treatment.
Why Consider Teeth Whitening?
The colour of your teeth will change over time due to different factors like your age, lifestyle and oral health condition. The consumption of certain foods or drinks like wine, coffee and dark berries will also affect the colour of your teeth, as will tobacco products. Teeth whitening treatments can eliminate stains by bleaching the enamel and brightening the teeth by one or several shades, depending on your preference.
Teeth whitening procedures are considered a low-risk dental treatment and suitable for most patients, although you must first ensure you qualify. Certain factors may exclude some patients from whitening procedures, and if you have any of the following, you may not be a suitable candidate for whitening treatment:
You Have Restorations on Your Front-Facing Teeth
If you have porcelain veneers, dental crowns, or dental bonding, you cannot get teeth whitening; the restorative materials will not respond to bleaching agents.
You Have Stubborn Intrinsic Stains
These kinds of stains are usually gray discolorations or white spots on the teeth, and such stains will affect the underlying layers of the tooth, and whitening may not be able to target the problem. Teeth whitening treatments are more effective on extrinsic stains that only affect the outer enamel.
You Have Very Sensitive Teeth
Some teeth whitening treatments can damage or worsen such dental conditions, especially if you use at-home whitening treatments. Whitening strips or packs you purchase in-store may be problematic, and you need to be careful because if you don’t follow the instructions properly, you can cause more harm than good.
Conclusion
Are you interested in improving the look of your smile? Tavistock Family Dentistry can help! We will discuss the different whitening solutions we offer and will tell you the cost of each treatment. We will first examine your teeth and provide our professional recommendations based on these findings.
We only use high-quality whitening products and will adjust the strength of the solutions accordingly. If you are looking for a dentist near you in Tavistock, we are always accepting new patients, and our friendly staff can answer all of your questions regarding the cost of teeth whitening treatments.
Call 519-512-9961 for more information or to schedule an appointment today.
