Teeth Whitening – Lebanon, NH
Achieve a Shinier Smile in as Little as Two Weeks
Teeth process a lot of material over the decades, and frequent contact with items that are rich in pigments and dyes such as red wine, coffee, tea, berries, and colorful candies can leave them with unsightly dental stains and discoloration. Luckily, teeth whitening kits from Hanover Road Dental Health can help you achieve a brighter smile in as little as two weeks. Here’s a brief overview of how the process works, but please contact our staff if you have any questions.
Why Choose Hanover Road Dental Health for Teeth Whitening?
- Achieve Brighter Teeth in a Few Weeks
- Experienced Cosmetic Dentist
- Financing Options Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
When teeth are frequently exposed to the dyes and pigments found in foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and colorful candies, they can gradually develop stains that can be either intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are located beneath the enamel while extrinsic ones form on the surface of the tooth. Almost anyone can be a good candidate for teeth whitening, but some may have to receive treatments for tooth decay and gum disease beforehand so the treatment can be administered safely. Teeth whitening has allowed many patients to gain the confidence they need to achieve in professional and social settings.
How Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Work?
While there are many teeth whitening products available for purchase at stores, these often produce lackluster results and can result in injuries due to user error or poor manufacture. A professional teeth whitening kit from our office includes a tube of professional-grade whitening gel and a set of dental trays customized to fit your teeth perfectly. All you’ll have to do is apply the gel to the trays and wear them over your teeth for about an hour every day for two weeks. When the treatment is complete, your smile will be up to eight shades brighter.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you’ve invested in teeth whitening, it’s only natural that you’ll want to do what you can to preserve your results. While you’re welcome to come in for touch-up treatments if necessary, you can help your teeth stay whiter longer by eating plenty of dairy products that are rich in the nutrients you need to keep your smile shiny and bright. Limiting your intake of foods and beverages that are high in stain-causing pigments and dyes, maintaining an excellent oral hygiene regimen at home, and seeing us regularly for routine exams and cleanings are great ways to prevent new stains from forming.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Before you actually commit to teeth whitening, you’ll want to learn its price. You won’t know whether the final treatment fits your budget otherwise. That said, the cost of teeth whitening varies by patient; you’ll need to consult our team for an exact estimate. Once we’ve discussed these points with you, we’ll find ways to make your care more affordable. Just keep reading to learn the relevant details, or call us to hear more over the phone.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Modern teeth whitening has a set price, but several factors can affect how many sessions you need. The most common of these are:
- Types of Stains – Patients with extrinsic tooth stains (i.e., those from meals) only need one or two whitening sessions. Meanwhile, extrinsic stains from below your enamel are tricker to fix; they require more treatments.
- Severity of Stains – If your grin has dark and severe stains, you’ll likely need many more whitening sessions. Your discoloration will take more effort to remove.
- Preliminary Care – Before you receive teeth whitening, you may require a preliminary procedure (i.e., fillings, crowns, etc.) This kind of “extra” work will add to your expenses.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
The type of teeth whitening will also impact your expenses. After all, the treatment comes in four different varieties:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – As the most expensive kind, in-office whitening costs an average of $400-800 per session. Its price can even reach $1000 in rare cases.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – The typical take-home whitening kit has a starting price of a few hundred dollars. Still, the exact amount can vary.
- “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – Because they take a “one-size-fits-all” approach, store-bought whitening trays cost little. You can often get them for $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – Teeth whitening strips and gels cost the least among the types. Indeed, they’re priced at $20-40 per box at supermarkets and pharmacies.
OTC Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Though its price is slightly higher, “pro” teeth whitening is more popular than store-bought kinds. The reason stems from how the “professional” approach offers better results.
In most cases, cosmetic dentistry’s price reflects its quality. That means “cheap” store-bought strips and gels usually aren’t effective; they don’t change your smile’s color much. On the other hand, pro-whitening’s higher price shows that it offers better results. This latter type of treatment will brighten your grin by six to eight shades, all without any complications.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental insurance doesn’t cover teeth whitening, but other ways exist to make treatment affordable. The most suitable of these methods is our office’s payment options! Given the right one, we can provide you with a brighter grin without “breaking the bank.”
A good example would be our practice’s “flexible” dental financing. Through this option, you can work with CareCredit (a 3rd party financier) to pay for care in monthly installments. You’d then be able to get otherwise unaffordable procedures, including teeth whitening.
To learn more about affordable teeth whitening, come visit us soon!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Store-Bought and Professional Teeth Whitening?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever considered turning to over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Store-bought strips and gels tend to be cheaper than professional services with our team in Lebanon, which can be tempting. However, these options often contain diluted bleach and one-size-fits-all trays, which can lead to application errors that result in inconsistent coloration or sensitivity.
Meanwhile, our providers can send you home with everything you need to achieve beautiful, reliable results. For example, our professional-grade take-home kits include ultra-concentrated gels designed to mitigate potential discomfort and custom-fitted trays for a more accurate and beautiful outcome.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Are you considering teeth whitening but haven’t scheduled a consultation yet because you’re afraid it might hurt? Fortunately, this cosmetic service is usually considered non-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 in the protective outer layer of your teeth. This can cause short-term sensitivity, especially to overly hot and cold temperatures, which usually resolves itself after a few days. In the meantime, it’s usually safe to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to ease any associated tenderness.
Are the Results Permanent?
Once you’ve finally achieved the beautifully bright smile you have always dreamed of, you’re likely wondering how long you can expect the perfect shade to last. Professional teeth whitening usually lasts about 6 months to 3 years, though it can depend significantly on your unique circumstances and habits. Most people require periodic retreatments to maintain the ideal hue.
How Can I Help Maintain My Brighter Smile?
Are you wondering if there’s anything you can do to extend the longevity of your teeth whitening results? Generally speaking, the better you care for your teeth and gums, the longer you can enjoy your recent cosmetic enhancement.
For instance, brushing and flossing twice daily clears away plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums that give pigmented particles a surface to cling to, which can cause stains. You can also avoid eating darkly tinted foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, wine, berries, and tomatoes, which are known to be problematic.
Finally, scheduling a routine checkup and cleaning every six months with our team in Lebanon allows us to monitor your dental condition and polish away more recent blemishes that might have developed.