COSTS OF TEETH WHITENING

We all want to have the best smile possible. For people that have issues with the way their smile looks, though, their smile can actually be a source of low self-esteem—leading to them smiling less. Thankfully, If you don’t like an aspect of your smile, there may be a solution—cosmetic dentistry. One aspect of cosmetic dentistry that is extremely popular is teeth whitening.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves the use of a whitening agent to improve the shade and color of a patient’s teeth. This allows the patient to smile proudly without worrying about their teeth looking yellow or otherwise discolored.

Teeth Whitening Options

There are a few different options for teeth whitening—some of which are more intensive than others. Options like whitening gum, toothpaste and mouthwash can be used at home. These options are better for patients that only need minor adjustments made to the shade of their teeth. Other more intensive options include over-the-counter whitening strips and professional whitening.

Why Professional Whitening?

While strips may seem like the easiest option, they are actually dangerous for some patients. The whitening solution used for at-home strips is quite strong, and can do severe damage to a patient’s teeth if they do not have strong enough enamel to support the procedure. At-home, over-the-counter whitening also is not done with the supervision or instructions of a dentist. Because of this, many people don’t properly use the strips—leading to mediocre results. Professional whitening, on the other hand, is done with the supervision of the dentist. For at-home whitening, a custom tray is made and the patient is given a stronger whitening solution. If a patient decides to opt for in-office whitening, they can see a massive difference in the shade of their teeth within one visit. Actually, in less than an hour, patients have seen their teeth become as much as ten shades whiter! Because of the special whitening solution dentists use, and their ability to oversee the whitening process, it is better to visit your dentist for more in-depth whitening.

Costs of Professional Whitening

While going to the dentist for your teeth whitening may sound expensive, it actually is relatively affordable—especially compared to the price of whitening strips. By visiting the dentist, you can rest assured that the whitening is done properly—saving a lot of time and trouble that may have been wasted on strips.

If your dentist decides you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, you may be given two options: at-home or in-office.

Meet with Your Dentist

Meet with your dentist about whether or not your enamel is strong enough to support the whitening solution—even if you are considering purchasing over-the-counter whitening strips. If you decide you would like professional whitening services, speak with your dentist about having your teeth professionally whitened.

Drs. Leal, Spangler & Johnson, located in Winston-Salem, NC, offer teeth whitening to help bring luster back to your smile. Contact our office for a consultation or to schedule teeth whitening today.

If you're interested in learning more about teeth whitening, here's some further reading on determining whether or not you need teeth whitening.