Teeth Whitening – Denton, TX
Achieve Dramatically Whiter Teeth
Are you eager to brighten your smile? It is perfectly natural for teeth to become discolored over time, but this is still something that many people are self-conscious of. Fortunately, at Aguilar Family Dentistry, we offer in-office and take-home teeth whitening to lift surface stains so you can achieve dramatically whiter teeth within a short timeframe. To schedule your professional teeth whitening or to learn more, give us a call !
Why Choose Aguilar Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Quick and Safe Results
- In-Office and Take-Home Whitening
- Aguilar Dental Savings Plan
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There are quite a few ways that teeth can become discolored. Here are some of the most common reasons behind it:
- Pigmented foods and beverages, like coffee, tea, and red wine
- Tobacco products
- Sugary and acidic foods
- Aging
- Poor oral hygiene
- Genetics
- Medications
Some causes of tooth discoloration can be prevented, but some are completely out of your control. There are two main types of discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the teeth and are typically caused by foods, beverages, and tobacco products. Intrinsic stains are a result of medications, so this is something you should discuss with your doctor.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
There are two different types of professional teeth whitening available:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking to lift discoloration from the comfort of your own home, take-home teeth whitening kits are available. First, Dr. Aguilar will check your smile for existing oral health issues. Next, you will get customized trays and a whitening gel that is more effective than anything you can find in stores. After approximately two weeks of wearing these trays for a set amount of time every day, you’ll see beautiful results.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
For patients who are looking for faster results, in-office teeth whitening can be completed in-office. If you have a wedding coming up or trying to look your best during your upcoming vacation – this may be a better option for you. In just a single appointment, you can leave the practice with a smile that is several shades brighter.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The results of your teeth whitening will last much longer if you take the time to maintain them. Here are some tips to help you keep your smile looking great!
- Keep up excellent oral hygiene. Brush twice and floss once a day.
- Limit your consumption of dark-colored beverages.
- Avoid using tobacco products.
- Attend your regular cleanings and checkups every six months.
- See us for touch-up treatments as needed.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
As you consider teeth whitening, you’ll surely wonder about its price. You need to know how expensive a treatment is to see if it fits your budget. That said, the cost of teeth whitening varies; you’ll need to consult our cosmetic dentist in Denton for an exact estimate. Once you’ve met us in person, we’ll strive to make your care affordable and outline some helpful payment options. For further details, please call us – we’ll gladly share more!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Though teeth whitening has a set price, many factors can affect how many sessions you need. Examples of these include:
- Stain Type – When stained teeth stem from outside sources (i.e., extrinsic stains), a patient can get by with only one or two whitening sessions. In contrast, discoloration from below the enamel (i.e., intrinsic stains) is harder to fix; it requires further treatments.
- Stain Severity – A grin with dark and severe stains will need more whitening sessions. After all, such discoloration takes more effort to remove.
- Preliminary Care – Some patients require preliminary procedures (i.e., fillings, crowns, etc.) before they get teeth whitening. When that’s the case, treatment cost increases.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Besides the points above, the type of whitening you get also impacts treatment price. You should thus consider the four standard kinds:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – Often enough, in-office whitening is the most expensive kind. It carries an average price of $400-800 per session, and can even reach $1000 in special cases.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – Though the exact amount can vary, a typical take-home whitening kit costs about a few hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – Store-bought whitening trays take a “one-size-fits-all” approach, so they typically cost little. You can often get them for $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – Among the four types, teeth whitening strips and gels cost the least. They have average prices of $20-40 per box, and they’re found at most supermarkets.
OTC Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional (“Pro”) teeth whitening is more popular than store-bought, despite its higher price. As for the reason, it’s simple: the former offers better results.
Note that cosmetic dentistry’s price reflects its quality. As such, “cheap,” store-bought strips and gels don’t usually work; they don’t alter your smile’s coloring much. Pro-whitening treatment, though, has a higher price and much more notable effects. It’ll brighten your smile by six, eight, or even ten shades, all without complications.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental plans don’t typically cover teeth whitening, but don’t worry. You can always use our practice’s helpful payment options to make things easier! Given the right one, a brighter smile will be much more affordable for you.
Just look at our office’s flexible financing, for example. This option lets you work with CareCredit – a reputable, 3rd party financier. They’d help you pay for teeth whitening in manageable monthly installments, with little or no interest involved.
Money shouldn’t keep you from a gleaming grin. To make your bright smile budget-friendly, visit our office in the coming days.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many people want brighter smiles but avoid teeth whitening because they’re afraid it might hurt. However, this treatment isn’t known to be painful and is even considered minimally invasive because it’s incredibly straightforward, and there’s no need for needles or numbing.
With that said, the bleach applied to your enamel can temporarily expand the microscopic pores there, allowing sensations to travel more easily to the tender roots inside your teeth. This can cause short-term sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures that usually fades on its own over a few days, and can often be safely addressed with over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
How do Store-Bought Products Compare to Professional Services?
You might feel tempted to try over-the-counter whitening strips or gels if you’re on a tight budget, but unfortunately, you may come to regret the decision. Although these products claim to lighten your enamel, they often contain diluted bleaches that are less effective and can cause sensitivity. Not only that, but they rely on one-size-fits-all trays that leave plenty of room for application errors, which can cause uneven coloration.
Meanwhile, our office uses professional-strength gels and custom-fitted trays for more accurate results you can rely on. Plus, we’ll examine your mouth first and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease, so that your smile is as healthy as it is bright following treatment!
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Potentially, anyone who wants to reduce the appearance of dental stains can benefit from professional teeth whitening services with Dr. Aguilar, but that doesn’t mean that this is always the best way to meet everyone’s unique needs. You must schedule a consultation before proceeding to ensure this is the right treatment for you.
For example, topical bleach can often treat extrinsic stains in the outer layer of enamel caused by consuming too many darkly tinted foods. Meanwhile, deeper intrinsic blemishes in the inner layer of dentin might require a different cosmetic solution, such as placing veneers to mask the imperfections.
How Can I Maintain My Brighter Smile?
Cosmetic procedures involve an investment of personal time and resources, and it’s only natural to want to preserve the perfect shade once you’ve finally achieved your aesthetic goals. Typically, you can help maintain your recent enhancement by:
- Implementing an at-home dental hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that give pigmented particles a surface to cling to.
- Scheduling touch-ups. You might need periodic retreatments to maintain the ideal hue.
- Attending routine checkups. Seeing our team every six months for a standard exam and cleaning allows us to monitor your condition and polish away more recent surface stains that might have developed.
- Avoiding darkly toned foods and drinks. Steering clear of common culprits that stain, such as coffee, tea, berries, tomatoes, or wine, can help prevent further discoloration.