Posts Tagged ‘tooth whitening’

tooth whitening cost
December 27, 2019

How much does teeth whitening cost?

by admin / Posted in Dental Care
Teeth whitening offers one of the easiest ways to dramatically improve your smile, often without any kind of dramatic surgery but how much does teeth whitening cost really? You may be surprised to know that there are many forms of teeth whitening that are very affordable. According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an overwhelming majority of Americans think that an attractive smile makes a person more appealing. And of the qualities that make up an attractive smile, whiter teeth were the key to a more attractive smile.  Teeth can become discolored over time as the outer layer of enamel on the teeth is worn away. Things like drinking staining drinks like coffee, tea and wine, smoking, and more can stain the teeth and make them not look as white as they naturally do.

How much does it cost to get your teeth professionally whitened?

How much you can expect teeth whitening to cost depends largely on what options you chose and whether you do it at home or at your dentist’s office.  The cheapest option is going to be teeth whitening kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes. These often run under $5 or less. Using over-the-counter products like teeth whitening strips or gels will be an affordable option. A single box is generally $20 to $40 a box and contains enough strips to treat your teeth for a few weeks. You could also use over-the-counter trays that are filled with a whitening solution that is then worn to bed. These often are under $100.  These cheap options may be affordable, but they do not offer the same power as in-office treatments. You can expect them to whiten your teeth by one or two shades, but for greater whitening, getting your teeth whitened at a dentist’s office is going to be the best way to go.  The average cost of in-office teeth whitening is $650, but it can climb to close to $1,000 or more, depending on the type of product that your dentist uses and how much your dentist would charge for the treatment.

Is it worth it to get your teeth professionally whitened?

Getting your teeth whitened professionally seems like a bigger jump in cost, and is the teeth whitening cost worth it? In most cases, the in-office treatment is a great return on investment. People notice the change in appearance after their in-office treatment compared to how at-home treatments work.  The bleaching agents that your dentist would use is much stronger than the ones that are used in at-home treatments. For example, the whitening strips in the store often contain no more than 10% of hydrogen peroxide, a common bleaching agent. In-office treatments use stronger solutions that contain 25 to 40% hydrogen peroxide.  It is important to consider the long term maintenance that teeth whitening may require. No teeth whitening solution is going to be permanent. And how long your teeth remain white depends largely on your lifestyle. Refraining from smoking, drinking or eating staining foods, and practicing good oral health can help ensure the results to last for up to a year.  In-office treatments offer the fastest and most noticeable treatment, with treatments often taking no more than an hour and often only a single treatment is needed.

Is teeth whitening covered by insurance?

Typically, dental insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening. Most dental procedures are strickly related to health and wellness, like routine cleanings, x-rays, root canals, and the like are what the insurance company will cover. Check your benefits to see if your dental insurance covers cosmetic procedures, like tooth whitening, veneers and the like. These procedures are not considered medically necessary and often the patient will have to shoulder the entire cost.  See if your dentist offers a payment plan or other options to help you achieve your perfect smile.

Is it bad to get your teeth whitened?

Any bleaching treatment will cause some tooth sensitivity. This is a natural result of the peroxide gel that is used and is common among 66% of people. The severity of the sensitivity varies based on the condition of your tooth enamel. If you have concerns about tooth sensitivity, speak with your dentist before doing any kind of tooth whitening treatment, at home or in-office.  The lasers that are used won’t make your teeth hurt more, but a higher dose of peroxide will.  If you have questions about teeth whitening cost, the treatment, or want to schedule a consultation, and you live in Rancho Cucamonga, California, call Golden Smiles Dental at (909) 481-8990 today.
teeth whitening
November 23, 2019

How does a dentist whiten my teeth?

by admin / Posted in Dental Care
A brighter, whiter smile is highly sought after by many people, but finding the right teeth whitening solution can be a bit of a problem. You have two options: getting your teeth whitened by a dentist or trying to do it at home.  Both options use a peroxide-based bleaching agent, with at-home options generally having a lower concentration at 3% to 10% peroxide, and in-office systems contain 15% to 43% peroxide.  As a general rule, the longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the brighter your teeth become. However, when you have a higher percentage of peroxide in the whitening solution, the shorter it should be applied to the teeth. If the gel is kept on longer, the tooth can dehydrate and increase its sensitivity. 

At-home whitening vs teeth whitening at the dentist 

When you get your teeth whitened by a dentist, you can see results much faster. The bleach solution is much stronger than at-home kits could be. A dentist can also use heat and light in combination to speed and intensify the whitening process.  You can expect dramatic results, with teeth getting three to eight shades brighter, but this may require several 30 to 60 minutes visits, but some dentists can complete the procedure in a single 2-hour appointment.  At home, you can use tooth whitening strips, gels, and toothpaste. Each of these options offers a convenient way for you to bleach your teeth on your own. But you should be careful as incorrectly used home kits can lead to burned or temporarily bleached gums.  You should also consider if you can incorporate something like a tray-based tooth bleaching system, which can range between $150 to $600 to get a custom-fitted one. These trays are filled with a peroxide bleaching gel and they are placed over the teeth for several hours a day for up to four weeks. Be sure that you have the time and willpower to commit to faithfully using the tray for the treatment to work. 

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The cost can vary but generally ranges from $500 to $1000. This may seem like a lot of money, especially when compared to at-home solutions which can be as cheap as a tube of whitening toothpaste, but the effect is stronger and the results last longer.  At-home kits can often run much cheaper, varying from $3-$5 for tooth whitening toothpaste, to $10 to $55 for tooth whitening strips and gels. Keep in mind that these require a much longer commitment of many weeks to see a result. And that result is often weaker than in-office treatments. You might also be able to get some or part of the treatment covered by your insurance. Be sure to check with your insurance company, especially if the discoloration is due to a dead nerve, or due to tooth trauma, infection, or illness. If so, this kind of discoloration is likely going to need professional help to make it white again.

Is teeth whitening permanent?

Teeth whitening can often last a very long time, but it is not permanent. There are things you can do to maintain the results. Keep your teeth bright and white by maintaining good oral health by brushing, flossing, and rinsing daily. Avoid acidic and tannin-rich foods and drinks like:
  • Black teas and coffee
  • White and red wine
  • Sports drinks
  • Carbonated beverages no matter the color
  • Berries and other strongly-colored foods
  • Sauces
Most teeth whitening lasts a few months to up to 3 years, and this number varies from person to person. By avoiding the above foods, you can make sure that your teeth are kept nice and white for as long as possible. 

Is it safe?

The many different options that you have to whiten the teeth can all be done safely. If you are especially concerned about getting your teeth whitened and preventing gum burns, then a professional in-office treatment is the best option for you. There are some side effects to consider. Bleaching the teeth can make them more sensitive. This may occur in the first or second treatment and should diminish with time. Your dentist can prescribe treating sensitivity with products that contain potassium nitrate and sodium fluoride gel. you may also experience irritated gums sometimes called gingival irritation. This can happen because of your gums coming into contact with the peroxide-based whitening product. These side effects should go away after your treatments. Remember that you can’t whiten your teeth permanently. Any teeth whitening process will be temporary. You’ll need to seek new teeth whitening treatments at regular intervals to keep your smile bright and white. You’ll also want to ask your dentist about what to do if you have implants, crowns, bridges, or dentures.  If you are interested in getting your teeth whitened and you live in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, speak with our team of expert dentists by calling Golden Smiles Dental at (909) 481-8990.
tooth whitening cost
September 24, 2019

What is a Smile Makeover?

by admin / Posted in Dental Care
Have you ever wanted to reinvent your smile? Luckily for you, there is such a thing as a smile makeover. Smile Makeovers are all the rage and for good reason. They are a process of improving the appearance of your smile through one or more cosmetic dental procedures, like dental veneers, composite bonding, tooth implants, and teeth whitening. What’s more is that the approach is holistic with your facial appearance, skin tone, hair color, teeth – including the color, width, length, shape, and tooth display – gum tissue and lips. There is a variety of reasons for choosing a smile makeover and each is customized for your needs.

Some Smile Makeover Options

Tooth color

Tooth discoloration, whether it is from silver or amalgam dental fillings, or from stained teeth, can often be corrected and even improved. Tooth color and shading are often among the top considerations during the evaluation and preparation of different procedures, such as porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, composite bonding, and dental implants. Each of these procedures can be useful for whitening the teeth, but each had different levels of involvement and time required. Dark or discolored teeth can be taken as aged mouth, and a white, well-shaped smile can give your face an immediate youthful appearance. And, special consideration is taken to be sure that the shade of white used is appropriate for your overall appearance and help create a natural appearance.

Tooth Alignment and Spacing

Crooked teeth, or teeth that are overlapping, or ones that have gaps between them can often be straightened. When necessary, the teeth can be aligned with options such as orthodontics or products like Invisalign, and be further improved with veneers.

Fix Missing Teeth

If you have one or more missing teeth, this can negatively affect the appearance of your smile. It can also have an effect on your ability to chew food and increase the risk of tooth decay. Replacement teeth can be an integral part of your oral health and facial aesthetics. Missing teeth can be remedied by dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures.

A More Aesthetically Pleasing Smile

A smile that has chipped or cracked teeth, or an uneven appearance can be corrected by a cosmetic bonding, and a smile with a lot of cum can be shaped to help improve the overall look of the smile. Your face can be rejuvenated by cosmetic dentistry procedures that can reshape your whole face. A cosmetic dentist will help you create a treatment plan that is designed to achieve the exact results that you want from your smile makeover. The treatment plan may include both cosmetic and restorative procedures. These could include teeth whitening, composite bonding, veneers, dental crowns, orthodontics like braces, oral maxillofacial surgery, and even gummy smile reduction.

What Things Are Considered in a Smile Makeover?

When creating a treatment plan for a smile makeover you will have a lot of things to consider when working with your dentist to help create your perfect smile. Here are some options that you might consider:
  • Tooth Length: Short teeth or a gummy smile can make your teeth look shorter, and this can significantly age you. Long teeth help to lend a more youthful appearance. This can also change the overall appearance of your face. Long, square teeth on a person with a round-faced individual can often create a very slimming effect. Some procedures that can be used to create this effect include: reshaping and lengthening the two front central teeth with cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers.
  • Improving the Smile Line: The smile line is the name for an imaginary line that follows the edges of your upper teeth from one side to the other. Ideally, the line runs parallel to the curve of your lower lip when you smile. This is a standard point of reference when you want to determine how long your teeth should be.
  • Keeping your Teeth in Proportions: One of the first things that your dentist will determine is if your teeth are in proportion. Generally, an aesthetically pleasing smile is one that has the two front teeth as the dominant ones and width to length ratio of 4 to 5. This proportion is the guide by which your dentist will keep your smile in balance.
  • Tooth Texture and Characterization: The veneers and crowns can be customized to create a look that matches the look and feel of a natural tooth.

Keeping Your Smile Shining with a Smile Makeover

You will still require regular oral care and will require maintenance in order to keep your smile glowing over time. Teeth whitening will sometimes need to be repeated to maintain brightness. Veneers may chip and require replacement. If you are serious about getting your perfect smile, you will also follow a regular oral health routine, including brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day. Any oral health problems – such as gum disease, or a misaligned bite – will need to be taken care of before cosmetic treatments are applied. If you are interested in getting your own smile makeover, and you live in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, give Golden Smiles Dental a call at (909) 481-8990.