How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
Overtime, our teeth begin to appear dull and yellow due to age, certain medications, and food and lifestyle habits. Even with good oral hygiene, some staining is very common. Not all patients are a candidate for teeth whitening so it is important to discuss your treatment options with your Dentist before investing time and money in a whitening treatment that will not work.
Options for Teeth Whitening
Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available for patients who want to whiten their teeth. Professional whitening in belvidere il can be done at your dental office or even at home. Over-the-counter products also have great results but take a bit longer to achieve. Over-the-counter options have a lower percentage of the whitening ingredient carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide than professional whitening treatments.
In-office Whitening
For patients who are looking to achieve optimal results in a short amount of time may be better served with in office professional lighting. In office whitening only takes about 1 to 2 hours and your teeth continue to lighten over the next couple of days. An ultraviolet light is utilized to accelerate the whitening treatment. Professional whitening solutions contain a higher concentration of peroxide at 10% to 22%. In-office whitening costs between $250 and $1000, depending on the process used.
At-home whitening
For those patients who would prefer to gradually whiten their teeth at their own pace, at-home whitening is a great option. Whitening kits are more cost effective but they take much longer than in-office. for whitening at home, patients can use either whitening strips or whitening trays, both of which are worn for 30 minutes to an hour each day for up to 14 days, or until desired results are achieved. At home whitening costs between $10 and $60, depending on the type used.
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
It is important to speak with your Dentist even before investing in an at-home whitening kit. Most patients are likely to be a candidate for whitening but some will have difficulty achieving results. For example, patients with tetracycline stains will not see results from any over-the-counter whitening kits or even some professional whitening options. There are whitening systems available specifically for patients with tetracycline type stains, but these have to be monitored by a Dentist.
Another thing to take into consideration is dental restorations. Porcelain does not whiten so if you have extensive restorative work, especially on the teeth that show when you smile, your results may not be ideal. A lot of patients opt to whiten their teeth before having any restorative work done.
Keeping Your Smile Bright
After whitening, there are a few things you can do on a regular basis to keep your smile as bright as possible! Good oral hygiene is key and adding oral care products that contain peroxide or baking soda can be a great way to remove staining on a daily basis. It is also important to have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year which will remove the first things that you may not be able to with brushing and flossing.