Teeth Whitening – Arlington, TX
Achieve the Beautiful, Dazzling Smile You Deserve
Are you frustrated with the stubborn yellow or brown stains on your teeth? Having discolored pearly whites can cause you to develop a habit of hiding them when you smile or even avoiding smiling in front of others altogether. Maybe you’ve tried over-the-counter teeth whitening products, but they didn’t quite produce the results you wanted. Fortunately, at Encore Dentistry, we can help you achieve the beautiful, dazzling smile you deserve with safe, reliable, and comfortable professional teeth whitening. We offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options so you can brighten your pearly whites in a way that’s most convenient to you! Give us a call today to schedule your consultation and learn more about this popular cosmetic treatment.
Why Choose Encore Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Reliable, Safe, & Comfortable Professional Results
- Fast In-Office Whitening for Fast Smile Transformations
- Take-Home Kits for On-the-Go Whitening Treatment
How Do Teeth Become Discolored?
In many cases, tooth discoloration happens naturally as a normal part of the aging process. If you begin to notice brown or yellow stains on your teeth, it could be due to one or more of the following factors:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Consuming foods and beverages that are high in tannins or rich in dark pigments, like coffee or red wine
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Taking certain medications, such as antibiotics with tetracycline
Sometimes, teeth develop surface stains that can be easily removed by using a whitening toothpaste or attending regular dental cleanings. For tougher, deeper stains however, professional teeth whitening may be needed to truly brighten your smile.
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Practically anyone who wants a brighter smile is a good candidate for teeth whitening. However, we need to meet with you for a consultation first to ensure that this treatment is right for you. Oral health issues like cavities and gum disease can make teeth whitening uncomfortable, so we will check for and address these problems before moving forward with your whitening treatment. Additionally, discoloration from the inside of a tooth or from overexposure to fluoride in childhood may not respond well to teeth whitening, in which case we’ll review your other cosmetic treatment options to find the one that will work best for your situation.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At Encore Dentistry, Dr. Cabansag uses professional-grade whitening ingredients to provide reliable and dramatic results. These whitening products are specially designed to minimize tooth sensitivity during treatment and sink deep into the enamel to break up tough stains. Depending on your preferences, you can brighten your smile right away with an in-office treatment or from the comfort of home with a take-home whitening kit.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kit
With our at-home teeth whitening treatment, you can get professional results in the convenience of your own home. You’ll visit our office where Dr. Cabansag will give you your personalized whitening kit. This will contain custom-made whitening trays that fit your teeth as well as the professional-grade whitening gel. Treatment is simple—you will place the whitening gel in your trays and wear them for about 30 minutes a day. The best time to do this is usually at night when you’re relaxing. After about two weeks of following this routine, you’ll begin to notice beautifully white results as yellowing and stains disappear.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening with our whitening system is a quick and painless process that can usually be completed in less than an hour. First, Dr. Cabansag will isolate your teeth by placing a protective barrier over your gums, tongue, and other oral tissues. Once we apply the bleaching gel to your teeth, we’ll let it work its magic for a few minutes. When we wipe off the gel, off come the stains as well. This process is done a few times until you’re satisfied with the results. After we wipe off the bleaching gel one last time, you’ll be able to leave our office with a drastically brighter and more confident smile!
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Many patients try store-bought whitening kits at first because they often promise quick results and don’t cost very much at all. However, this is typically not the case. More often than not, over-the-counter teeth whitening products contain abrasive chemicals that erode your enamel, resulting in sensitive teeth. On the other hand, some of the benefits offered by professional teeth whitening treatment include:
- Fast, guaranteed results
- The use of safe ingredients that have been thoroughly tested
- Dramatically lower risk of tooth sensitivity or discomfort
- Results that long significantly longer
- The ability to tackle even the toughest of tooth stains
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The key to teeth whitening is maintaining the results. After all, if you spend time and money on professional teeth whitening, you should protect your investment! That’s why you should follow these easy steps for extended time with a white smile:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session, angling the brush head at 45-degrees for thorough cleaning.
- Floss twice a day to remove plaque and food debris from in between your teeth.
- Use a nonalcoholic mouthwash.
- Avoid foods/drinks rich in color like coffee, red wine, marinara sauce, and blueberries.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to continuously wash away staining particles from your teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of your treatment will vary based on your needs — no two smiles are the same. That’s why the best way to get a precise estimate is to visit our office for a consultation. Dr. Cabansag will carefully examine your smile, checking the areas of staining or discoloration. After, she can develop a personalized treatment plan that includes your total cost. In the meantime, here are some things to keep in mind.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is usually one set price. However, some factors can determine the number of treatments that you will need to achieve the whiteness goals you have for your smile. They will also determine if any additional costs are necessary. Here are the most common factors to consider:
- Severity of Discoloration: If your teeth are very discolored, you might need multiple whitening treatments to get the results you’re hoping for.
- Type of Discoloration: Extrinsic (exterior) stains are much easier to lift than intrinsic (interior) stains.
- Additional Treatments: If you have any existing oral health issues that need to be addressed, like gum disease or cavities, this needs to be done ahead of time. Whitening can aggravate existing issues. Other dental treatments will incur their own cost.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are several different types of teeth whitening, and they range in cost and effectiveness. Here is what you can generally expect based on what you choose:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: This usually costs between $300 and $800, and the results are the most dramatic and last the longest (up to a year!)
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening: Professional take-home teeth whitening kits usually cost a few hundred dollars, and their stunning results will often last for several months.
- Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Trays: Teeth whitening trays can be found at your local drug store and/or supermarket. Generally, they are less than $100, but the results are often lackluster and short-lived.
- Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Strips: This is the most affordable option out there. Boxes can cost between $20 and $40 on average and usually have enough product to last up to two weeks.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
If you are looking at just the cost, you may be wondering why anyone would consider professional teeth whitening. The truth is that when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality of the results is clearly reflected in the amount you pay. When you use cheaper whitening strips and gels from the drug store, many patients see little to no results, especially when they have more severe discoloration.
On the other hand, professional teeth whitening treatments can lighten tooth enamel by multiple shades in much faster timeframes. For in-office care, it can be done in as little as one visit, while professional take-home kits can be effective in less than two weeks! When choosing a teeth whitening option, it is important to consider the kinds of results that you are looking for and how quickly you want them – not just the price.
Options For Making Professional Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is considered to be a cosmetic treatment, so it is almost never covered by dental insurance. However, there are still some options out there that can help make teeth whitening more affordable. With our In-Office Membership plan, patients can enjoy a 30% discount on most of our services. We also work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options, don’t hesitate to reach out!
To find out exactly how much you can expect your treatment to cost, give us a call. We’re eager to help you achieve your smile goals!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Cause Permanent Tooth Sensitivity?
Teeth whitening treatments have a bad reputation for causing sensitivity. While this might have been true in the past, whitening agents have undergone several improvements over the years. They are specially formulated to minimize any tooth sensitivity while also conditioning the teeth. If any discomfort occurs, it won’t last more than a couple of days. In the meantime, it’s best to avoid any hot or cold foods and drinks to lessen the likeliness for sensitivity.
Do My Teeth Need to Be Cleaned Before Teeth Whitening?
We often recommend a cleaning before your whitening treatment. Removing plaque or tartar helps ensure consistent results. We can often conduct your cleaning and your whitening procedure the same day, so you won’t need multiple appointments.
Will My Professional Teeth Whitening Results Be Permanent?
Aging causes your teeth to naturally darken as time passes, so your smile will discolor over time, but you can help protect your investment by preventing new stains from developing. It’s best to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss nightly. In addition, limit your contact with anything that can lead to stains, like coffee, berries, or tobacco. Don’t forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. If you notice your teeth losing their brightness, we can schedule you for a maintenance whitening session.
How Long Do Results From Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
One of your main concerns when it comes to teeth whitening is probably lasting results. Unlike store-bought items that only whiten the surface of your teeth, our professional-grade Smyle whitening gel can reach tough stains and discoloration. By eliminating yellowing beneath the surface instead of simply concealing them temporarily, patients can enjoy a white smile for a longer period of time. Your results will last at least 3 to 6 months, but this will directly depend on how well you care for your teeth.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Despite what you might have heard, whitening treatments don’t damage enamel when used under the supervision of a dentist and according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Rest assured, our office chooses the most reputable whitening systems on the market. They are proven safe and effective, so you can resolve stubborn stains without worrying about harming your oral health.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Crowns, Veneers, or Fillings?
Unfortunately, whitening treatments won’t change the appearance of fillings, veneers, or crowns. If a significant color differential is expected, we may recommend having them replaced to ensure they don’t create an eyesore when you smile.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?
Although every dental plan differs, most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of whitening treatments, but there may be some exceptions. If applicable, we’ll work on your behalf with your dental insurance to file the necessary claim forms to lower the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. We offer the affordable solutions you need for any remaining balance to help you achieve a radiant smile without draining your wallet, such as our in-house membership plan and CareCredit financing.