Teeth Whitening – Katy, TX

Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening? 

There are plenty of ways that teeth can become discolored, but they can be broadly split into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains come from food, smoking, and dark beverages that leave pigments on the enamel. Intrinsic discoloration, on the other hand, happens when the tooth itself begins to change color from factors due to age or certain medications.

No matter why your teeth have started to change colors, professional whitening can give you a much brighter smile by removing stains from the surface of the teeth. However, the treatment is much better at dealing with extrinsic stains than intrinsic ones.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

There are two main kinds of teeth whitening: take-home and in-office. The one that’s ideal for you has a lot to do with your individual circumstances, and we’ll be happy to tell you more about the options available to you when we meet in person. Until then, here’s what you should know about the teeth whitening options available to you.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Take home teeth whitening involves placing a unique whitening solution in a set of customized trays, and wearing these on your teeth. Unlike those you’d get from the store, these kits make use of whitening trays and gel that is designed for ideal results.

In most cases, patients will need to wear these trays for several months before they’re able to see the results that they’re looking for.

In-Office Teeth Whitening 

In-office teeth whitening, on the other hand, is completed at our practice in as little as an hour. The hands-on approach means that we’re capable of using much more concentrated whitening solutions, allowing us to safely produce results much faster.

This style of whitening is ideal for patients who want to look their best for a big event, like a job interview, graduation, or a wedding.

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

When people invest their time and money in order to get their dream smile, it’s common for them to take their oral health more seriously in an effort to maintain it. There are a couple of things that you can do to keep your smile white, but the most important are also the simplest; brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to prevent stain buildup. It’s generally also a good idea to avoid foods and drinks that can discolor your teeth, like coffee and red wine.

You can also visit us for touch-ups after your whitening treatment has been completed, which can coincide with your biannual checkups and cleanings. If you’re interested in learning more about what you can do to keep your teeth in the best condition possible, or may just about teeth whitening in general, make an appointment with us today!

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening 

If you’re ready to get a whiter, brighter smile with professional whitening, you’re probably curious about how much this treatment costs in comparison to other methods. However, because each treatment is completely customized to your individual smile, it’s impossible to quote you a price without having a consultation with your dentist first. With that said, here’s a closer look at how we determine the cost of your care, and which factors can influence your total.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Although teeth whitening is typically one set price, there are several factors that can affect how many treatments you’ll need to reach your desired results. They include:

• How severe your stains and/or discoloration are.
• The types of discoloration present in your smile, including age-related discoloration, stains caused by medication, and whether they are extrinsic (located on the surface of the enamel) or intrinsic (located within the tooth).
• Whether you’ll need any other procedures such as fillings or crowns first.

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost? 

• In-office teeth whitening typically costs anywhere from $400 to $800, although in some rare cases it could cost $1,000 or more.
• Take-home whitening kits with custom-fit trays from a dentist usually cost a few hundred dollars.
• Over-the-counter whitening trays available at retail stores (not custom fit) typically cost $100 or less.
• The cheapest method by far is those whitening strips or gels which can be purchased at most stores and pharmacies. Strips typically range between $20 and $40 a box and usually contain enough strips to treat your teeth for up to two weeks.

Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening 

If you’re only paying attention to the numbers above, you’re probably wondering why professional whitening is so popular when it’s so much more expensive than the other options. But the truth is, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality of the results is clearly reflected in the amount you pay for the treatment, especially when you have more severe discoloration.

Professional treatments are designed to lighten the tooth enamel by up to eight shades in much faster timeframes than over the counter products. For in-office care, most patients get noticeable results in about an hour, while take-home kits get similar results in about two weeks.

It’s important to remember that when selecting the right teeth whitening option for your smile, it pays to consider the results you want and how fast you want them, not just the price tag.

Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Professional whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, which means that in most cases it will not be covered by traditional dental insurance. However, there are other options available for making your treatment more affordable, including:

• Membership plan – Our annual Bright White Membership plan includes one professional whitening treatment each year.
• CareCredit or Cherry – these flexible financing options can help break up the cost of your professional whitening treatment into multiple flexible, low-to-no-interest monthly payments.

At Villagio Family & Cosmetic Dental, we’re proud to assist you with getting a whiter, brighter smile. If you’re ready to get started, schedule a consultation with your dentist today to learn more about the financial details!