Teeth Whitening – Mt. Pleasant, WI
Achieve a Brighter, More Confident Smile
Just about everyone wants to have a beautiful smile. After all, white teeth are often associated with youth, success, good health, and attractiveness. Unfortunately, our smiles can become discolored over the years for various reasons, like smoking, drinking too much coffee, and even aging. Maybe you’ve turned to over-the-counter teeth whitening products, but they usually can’t deliver the dramatic results you want. Here at Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry, we can use Venus Whitening to brighten your smile quickly in our dental office, or create personalized take-home kits. To find out which option is best for you, give us a call to discuss options for teeth whitening in Mt. Pleasant, WI today!
Why Choose Sweet Smiles Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Blast Away Years’ Worth of Stubborn Dental Stains
- In-Office & Take-Home Options Available
- Team of Compassionate, Talented Dentists
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you want to lighten your smile by several shades at once, you might be interested in our in-office teeth whitening treatment. Typically, this process can be completed in a single appointment that takes an hour or less.
After isolating your teeth to protect the soft tissues in your mouth, one of our dentists will apply a powerful bleaching gel to your teeth. Next, we activate the gel by shining a special light onto it. It breaks down the deeply set stain molecules in your tooth enamel. Once we wipe away the gel, the stains come right off with it! We’ll repeat this process a few times until you’re satisfied with the new shade of your smile.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Alternatively, you can brighten your smile from the comfort of your own home. We’ll begin by capturing impressions of your teeth and using them to design customized trays. They’ll fit perfectly over your teeth, protecting your gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks from irritation. All you have to do is fill the trays with the whitening gel and wear them for about half an hour a day. You’ll start to notice a difference right away, but most patients achieve their desired results after about two weeks of daily treatment.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening from a dentist’s office can deliver many benefits over store-bought products, such as:
- Quicker results
- Less soft tissue irritation
- Reduced risk of sensitivity
- Personalized treatment designed with your comfort in mind
Maintaining Your Results
No teeth whitening treatment is permanent, but there are ways you can extend the lifespan of your results. For the first 48 or so following your treatment, your enamel will actually absorb staining molecules more quickly. Avoid smoking, drinking coffee or tea, or any other habits that could discolor your teeth during this time.
After that, keeping your smile bright will require diligence about your oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing daily, as well as seeing us for routine checkups and cleanings, can prevent stains from forming. You don’t have to completely eliminate discoloring foods and drinks from your diet, but consume them in moderation. Try to brush your teeth afterward, but if you can’t, rinse your mouth with water to remove staining particles.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Have you always wanted to show off a set of bright pearly whites? If so, professional teeth whitening may be the ideal solution you’ve been searching for. Not only can you address years of stubborn stains and discoloration in a timely manner, but the treatment is also one of the most cost-effective for achieving your dream smile. Even so, you’ll want to understand as much as possible about the price of your procedure before committing to it. This way there won’t be any surprises left for when the bill arrives. Read on to learn more about the cost of teeth whitening in Milwaukee!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening often involves a flat fee, but several factors can impact the number of treatments you’ll require before reaching your desired results. Some of the most important aspects include:
- The severity of your staining or discoloration
- The kind of discoloration (whether it’s intrinsic or extrinsic)
- Any necessary preliminary treatments, such as a tooth filling
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are various types of teeth whitening, each of them going for different price ranges. When comparing the costs, here’s what you can typically expect from these treatments:
- In-office teeth whitening is generally priced anywhere from $400 and $800. In rare cases, the cost of treatment can go up to $1,000 or more.
- At-home teeth whitening kits can typically cost several hundred dollars.
- Over-the-counter teeth whitening trays generally go for $100 or less.
- Over-the-counter teeth whitening gels and strips are the most affordable, as each box can cost anywhere from $20 to $40. They also contain enough to last up to two weeks.
Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
You might be wondering why you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for professional teeth whitening when the treatments cost significantly more than the store-bought products you can easily access. While this might make some sense, it’s important to remember that the quality of your cosmetic dental work will be reflected in the amount you pay. You may end up with lackluster results By using inexpensive gels and strips, whereas professional teeth whitening options are designed to whiten your smile quickly and dramatically. On top of that, in-office teeth whitening can allow you to walk out of our practice with a brighter grin in as little as an hour, and the effects can last anywhere from several months to a couple of years with proper care! Make sure to consider the timeframe and quality of results you want when considering your treatment options.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Most dental insurance companies don’t cover the cost of teeth whitening, as they aren’t considered “essential” procedures. That said, you can still explore alternative financing options to afford your treatment. Our practice offers an in-house membership plan that can give you discounts on various procedures, including teeth whitening, with one low flat fee. We also work with CareCredit which can help split up the cost of your treatment into more manageable monthly installments. Many of these plans also come with little-to-no interest, allowing you a stress-free experience when paying for teeth whitening!
Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions
Have you been feeling self-conscious about your discolored teeth? Maybe you’ve considered teeth whitening, but you’re not really sure whether it’s safe or effective. There are all kinds of misconceptions out there about teeth whitening, which can make you hesitant to commit to a treatment you might end up benefiting from. That’s why we’ve decided to set the record straight by answering a handful of frequently asked teeth whitening questions below.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
When it comes to your smile, our team only wants what’s best for you, which is why we only use teeth whitening products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Dental Association (ADA). Many store-bought whiteners have not been approved by these organizations, so they have not undergone testing to ensure their safety.
Professional teeth whitening, however, is considered extremely safe. One reason is that a licensed dental professional is administering your treatment, so there is less risk of improper application than there would be with over-the-counter products. Additionally, the custom whitening trays prevent the gel from spreading to your gums or accidentally getting ingested.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Some people are turned off from professional teeth whitening treatments because they have experienced pain or sensitivity after using store-bought solutions. Rest assured that with our personalized treatments, the risk of discomfort is significantly lower.
If you are prone to tooth sensitivity, please let our team know. We can customize your treatment to minimize the chance of the gel making you uncomfortable. We may recommend spacing out your treatments, avoiding hot or cold beverages, or using a desensitizing toothpaste to prevent this unpleasant sensation.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Virtually anyone who struggles to smile confidently due to stubborn tooth stains or discoloration makes a good candidate for teeth whitening. That said, the best way to find out for sure is to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. At this appointment, we’ll closely examine your mouth and talk to you about your smile goals.
If your teeth and gums are in good condition, then we can start developing your custom whitening plan. However, we’ll have to treat any oral health issues, like gum disease or cavities, before focusing on your smile’s appearance.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, dental crowns cannot be whitened like natural teeth can. Bleaching gels can actually weaken the bond between your crown and your tooth, which may lead to complications later on. If you’re still interested in whitening the rest of your smile, we can talk about replacing your crown with one that matches the new color of your pearly whites after your whitening treatment.