Teeth Whitening – St. Augustine, FL
Lighten Your Teeth By Eight Shades or More!
Have you tried over-the-counter whitening kits but been disappointed time and time again? You’re not alone. After all, the diluted brightening agents and flimsy applicators can really only whiten your teeth by a shade or two at most. If you want to dramatically transform your smile, then you should schedule an appointment with us to see if you’re a candidate for professional teeth whitening! Whether you choose an in-office treatment or take-home kit, we can lighten your teeth by eight shades or more, giving you the gorgeous grin you’ve always wanted.
Why Choose Salt Run Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Top-Rated Dental Team in the Area
- CareCredit Flexible Financing Available
- Morning, Lunchtime, and Afternoon Appointments
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Although no two smiles are exactly the same, patients interested in teeth whitening always have something in common: they aren’t happy with their smile because of stubborn stains! Whether yours are the result of frequent coffee consumption, a new medication you’re taking, or the natural aging process, we recommend coming in for a consultation with one of our dedicated cosmetic dentists so they can determine if you’re a good candidate for this cosmetic dental service.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At our St. Augustine dental office, patients have the option of a take-home whitening kit or an in-office whitening treatment. Here’s a little more information on each:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Opalescence® GO take-home kits offer the best of both worlds: the convenience of over-the-counter products with the effectiveness of in-office treatments. We’ll give you everything you need to lift stubborn stains, including specific instructions on when and how to use the products for the best results.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
What if you want to see noticeable results quicker? In that case, we recommend an in-office Opalescence® BOOST treatment! Our team will handle every step of the process while you relax comfortably in the treatment chair. Usually, it only takes about an hour to achieve the desired results.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
After investing your valuable time and money on professional teeth whitening, it’s only natural to want to maintain your results for as long as you can. To do so, we recommend:
- Not drinking coffee, wine, soda, or juice without a straw
- Eating light-colored foods, like white fish
- Brushing and flossing your teeth after each meal
- Getting a dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year
- Avoiding unhealthy dental habits that can stain your teeth, like smoking
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Before agreeing to professional teeth whitening, it’s natural for you to inquire about the cost. This type of cosmetic treatment is commonly less expensive than other more extensive solutions (i.e., veneers, metal-free restoration, etc.); however, your plan will be customized based on your needs and goals. A scheduled consultation must occur before the final cost of teeth whitening can be determined. If you are interested in learning more about what factors are considered when drafting your estimate, keep reading or call our office today.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening looks different for everyone. While there may be a set price for treatment itself, the cost you will pay is based on a few different factors:
- The severity of your stains. Are they intrinsic (internal) or extrinsic (on the surface)?
- The underlying cause of your discoloration (i.e., medications, age, consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages, smoking).
- Whether you require additional services before receiving professional whitening, such as gum disease treatment, dental crowns, dental fillings, etc.
After gathering the necessary information, we will create a more thorough cost estimate so that you can begin to think about your budget.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
At Salt Run Family Dentistry, we understand there are many different whitening products available on the market. While some are administered by professionals, others can be purchased at a local drugstore. However, there are many differences between these types of whitening solutions, one of which is price.
The cost of store-bought strips, gels, and trays looks enticing because it’s much less expensive than professional treatment, yet they do not provide the same level of high-quality, long-lasting results.
Take a look at what you can expect to pay for different types of whitening:
- In-Office Whitening: Allowing a cosmetic dentist to perform this service in-house can run between $400-$800. There are some instances, though, where treatment can go as high as $1,000, but it is rare.
- Professional Take-Home Whitening Kits: When provided by a trusted professional, these kits can cost between $200-$300.
- Over-the-Counter Whitening Trays: These are not custom-fit trays but instead one-size-fits-all, and they can cost around $100 or less.
- Store-Bought Gels, Strips, and Pens: These low-priced products will only cost between $20-$30.
Again, it’s important to consider quality over price when preparing to whiten your smile. You could end up spending more in the long run if you opt for store-bought products. Not to mention, they can also cause more damage to your teeth if used too frequently.
Fast Teeth Whitening vs. Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
If you’re like most people, the prices listed above make it hard to understand why so many people choose professional teeth whitening over products found at a local drugstore. The reason is that it’s a form of cosmetic dentistry that is worth the financial investment.
Store-bought products lack the powerful ingredients found in professional whitening solutions. Instead, they’re watered down and may only remove some small surface stains. At first, you may not be displeased with the improvement, but you’ll soon discover that your results will not last, and if stains exist below the surface, they’re likely to stay.
With professional teeth whitening, though, you’ll not only receive oversight from a trusted cosmetic dentist, but you’ll also receive fast results that can last months or even up to a year with proper care. Whether you choose in-office treatment that requires a single appointment or custom take-home trays that can have you seeing results in just 1-2 weeks, your smile will appear brighter and more vibrant in the end.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Professional teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic form of treatment, which means that most dental insurance companies will not agree to cover any portion of the total cost. As an elective procedure, you’ll be responsible for the bill. At Salt Run Family Dentistry, though, we want to help relieve this financial burden. We partner with CareCredit, a financing company that makes it easy to split up the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly payments.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
The amount of time that you expect your teeth whitening to take depends on which path you take. If you pursue in-office whitening, you’ll be able to see results within as little as a single appointment, one generally taking less than an hour.
Take-home options allow you greater comfort, but also tend to take longer than in-office whitening to see results. Over the course of a few weeks, you’ll likely see your smile brighten by up to eight shades. If you’re trying to beautify your smile before a big event, you should keep these timelines in mind.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
The answer is no, teeth whitening cannot work on your dental crowns. Professional whitening solutions penetrate work by penetrating into small pores on the enamel, lifting stains that have settled there. However, the materials that dental crowns are made from are non-porous, which means that they can’t be treated in quite the same way.
Moreover, whitening gels can potentially weaken the adhesive that connects the dental crown to the tooth, so if you have one it’s important to reveal this information to us before you get teeth whitening. And if you are unhappy with the color of your dental crown, you’ll need to swap it out with another.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Teeth whitening is not permanent, and the results from the treatment will fade with time. You can expect your teeth to stay white for anywhere from a few months to several years after your treatment, provided that you do your part to maintain them.
By adhering to oral hygiene standards, avoiding smoking, attending regular checkups, and getting touch ups when necessary, you can make your new, white teeth last as long as possible.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Of course, there’s no way to guarantee the safety of whitening treatments that you get from the store or that you try to create yourself. However, when you get your teeth whitening from us, we can guarantee that the treatment you get will be completely safe.
We make use of professional grade, ADA approved materials in our teeth whitening, and will customize the concentration of your whitening gel to perfectly match your needs. For all of these reasons, we can absolutely guarantee your health and safety for the duration of any whitening treatment you receive from us.