Teeth Whitening – Newark, DE
Safely Brighten Your Smile
One of the first things other people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if your teeth look more yellow or brown than white, you might be remembered for the wrong reasons. Though plenty of commercial products claim to help, these often cause sensitivity or don’t provide the desired results.
Thankfully, our team at White Clay Dental Associates offers professional services to safely brighten your smile. Continue reading to learn more, and feel free to contact us with any additional questions.
Why Choose White Clay Dental Associates for Teeth Whitening?
- Professional-Grade Materials for Reduced Sensitivity
- Advanced Technology to Enhance Patient Comfort
- In-House Membership Discount Plans
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Although potentially anyone can benefit from professional teeth whitening, it’s not the right answer for every blemish. Before proceeding, you must have a consultation appointment to determine whether you’re a good candidate. During this visit, our team will examine your mouth to ensure no issues that might interfere with your results, like cavities or gum disease. Then, we’ll verify the type of stains we’re working with.
Extrinsic discoloration that exists in the outermost layer of your teeth, the enamel, can usually be whitened effectively. However, discoloration in the lower layers can’t always be bleached away and might require another service, like veneers.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our team understands that every patient’s needs are unique, so we offer multiple ways to help you achieve your ideal shade. Our in-office procedure can lighten your grin by several shades in an hour-long appointment for instant results. If that doesn’t suit you, we also provide take-home kits for your convenience. More information about each method is outlined below:
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you need to prepare for an upcoming event, such as a job interview, wedding, family reunion, or other special occasion, this may be the best treatment for you. First, we meticulously apply top-quality gels that minimize potential discomfort, and then we speed up the whitening process with a special ultraviolet light.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Those who are anxious about dental appointments or have a full schedule might do better with a take-home whitening kit. We include professional-grade gels and custom-fitted trays for optimal application from the comfort of your own home for results in as few as 2 weeks.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Dental insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost of cosmetic services like teeth whitening, so it’s natural to want to do everything you can to prolong the results. The following tips can help you maintain your recently upgraded grin:
- Brush and floss twice daily. You might consider switching to a whitening toothpaste if you don’t already have one.
- Schedule touch-ups. Your results can last 6 months to 3 years but repeat treatments may be needed to maintain your color.
- Watch what you eat. Eating lots of dairy can help keep your teeth bright and strong, whereas dark foods and drinks can stain them.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
As much as you may want teeth whitening, you should confirm its price first. Doing so ensures your final treatment doesn’t “break the bank” or exceed your budget. With that said, you’ll need to consult our dentists for an estimate; the cost of teeth whitening varies. Our team will then strive to make your care more affordable, all while outlining its price factors. Please keep reading to learn more, or call us for the relevant details.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening generally has a set price, but many factors affect how many “sessions” you may need. These include the following:
- Stain Type(s) – If you only have extrinsic stains (i.e., those from meals), you’ll only need a few whitening sessions at most. Meanwhile, patients with extrinsic stains (i.e., those beneath the enamel) will require more.
- Stain Severity – Dark and severe stains require more frequent whitening sessions. After all, such discoloration takes great effort to remove.
- Preliminary Care – You may require other dental work (crowns, fillings, etc.) before teeth whitening. If so, such procedures will add to your expenses.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Today’s teeth whitening comes in various types, each with a distinct cost. These kinds are:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – In-office teeth whitening is the priciest kind, with an average cost of $400 to $800 per session. Its overall expense can even reach $1000 in rare cases.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – A dentist’s take-home whitening kit costs an average of a few hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – Since they aren’t tailored for patients, store-bought whitening trays often cost little. A patient can usually get them for $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – All in all, teeth whitening strips and gels cost the least among the treatment options. Teeth whitening strips and gels cost the least among treatment options. Most supermarkets and pharmacies only charge $20-40 per box.
OTC Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
“Pro” teeth whitening is better-liked than the store-bought kind, despite its higher price. The reason is simple: the professional approach promises superior results.
Don’t forget that cosmetic dentistry’s cost reflects its quality. While store-bought strips and gels cost little, their low price shows they aren’t very effective. In contrast, pro-whitening has a higher cost because it has excellent effects and outcomes. Patients can trust that it’ll make their smiles six to eight shades brighter!
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental insurance doesn’t cover teeth whitening, but don’t lose heart. You can rely on our practice’s helpful payment options to make treatment affordable. With the right method, a brighter smile can still be budget-friendly.
Here at White Clay Dental Associates, we offer:
- Dental Savings Membership Plan – By paying an annual fee, you can join our office’s dental savings membership plan. This option provides (among other things) a 15% discount on teeth whitening.
- Flexible Financing – Our practice works with CareCredit, a reputable 3rd party financier. They’d let you pay for teeth whitening in manageable monthly installments.
Please see us if you need help paying for teeth whitening. By consulting our team, you’ll get a brighter grin while staying on budget!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many people feel nervous about lightening their smiles because they worry the process might hurt, but that’s not usually the case. This is considered a non-invasive procedure because it’s very straightforward and there’s no need for needles or numbing.
However, you might develop mild sensitivity afterwards because the bleach opens the microscopic pores in your enamel. This allows sensations to travel faster through the tubules in the lower layer of dentin into the tender nerves inside your pulp. Thankfully, this is usually temporary and resolves on its own after a few days, and can often be addressed with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
How is Professional Whitening Different from Store-Bought Options?
If you’re on a tight budget, you might wonder why you should invest in professional teeth whitening when there are less costly options available at your local corner store or pharmacy. Although you might think you can achieve similar results with commercial-grade solutions, you might be disappointed by the lack of results.
Store-bought products often contain more diluted bleaching agents that are less likely to provide the desired outcome. Plus, they rely on one-size-fits-all applicators that leave plenty of room for error, and you’re more likely to get the harsh chemicals on your tender connective tissues.
Meanwhile, our providers use ultra-concentrated gels designed to mitigate potential sensitivity while delivering beautiful, long-lasting results.
Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Potentially, anyone who isn’t 100% satisfied with the shade of their smile can benefit from this cosmetic enhancement, but before proceeding, you must consult one of our providers in Newark to determine that you’re a good candidate.
For example, extrinsic stains from consuming darkly tinted foods and drinks tend to respond better to topical treatments than intrinsic blemishes that have seeped into the lower layer of dentin.
How Can I Maintain My Brighter Smile?
Once you achieve the perfect shade, it’s only natural to want to do everything you can to preserve your newly enhanced grin. You can usually extend the longevity of the outcome by:
- Avoiding foods that stain. Common culprits like coffee, tea, berries, and wine can restain your enamel if you’re not careful.
- Implementing a consistent routine. If you don’t already, you should start brushing and flossing twice daily to remove plaque that gives pigmented particles something to cling to.
- Scheduling regular visits. You might need to repeat this service periodically to maintain the ideal hue. Also, a checkup and cleaning every six months can remove recent discoloration.