Teeth Whitening – Albuquerque, NM
A Brighter Smile Is Within Your Reach
A bright, attractive smile is a timeless accessory that goes with any outfit. Unfortunately, countless millions of people are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth, which can easily become stained due to the consumption of pigmented foods and beverages as well as other factors. What can you do to achieve a more confident, radiant grin? Thanks to professional teeth whitening, a brighter smile is within your reach! Read on below to learn more about this cosmetic service.
Why Choose Natural Dental Service for Teeth Whitening?
- Gentle Formula that Minimizes Sensitivity
- Results in Just Two Weeks
- Whiten in the Comfort of Your Own Home
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Anyone who has discolored teeth due to the consumption of pigmented foods and beverages, tobacco use, or aging may benefit from teeth whitening. Whether the stains are intrinsic (in the enamel) or extrinsic (on the surface), a professional bleaching treatment may be able to help.
Of course, teeth whitening is not ideal for everyone. If you have veneers, crowns, or other restorations on your front teeth, they will not be affected by the whitening formula. If you have untreated cavities or other oral health concerns, they will need to be addressed before you move forward with cosmetic services.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening products utilize a special bleaching formula that penetrates the tooth enamel in order to break up unwanted pigmented molecules. Often, the active ingredient is a form of hydrogen peroxide.
Professional whitening products tend to be more powerful and provide better results than those that you can purchase over the counter. Dr. Keanna has carefully selected the Bravo whitening system because of the many advantages that it offers.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
The Bravo teeth whitening system is a convenient product that you can use in the comfort of your own home. All you have to do is place the whitening gel in the custom trays provided by our practice. Keep the gel on your teeth for 30 minutes a day. You should begin to notice results within a few days, but optimum results typically take around two weeks.
Since the Bravo formula is specifically designed to minimize dental sensitivity, you can expect a comfortable treatment experience from beginning to end.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
After your teeth whitening is complete, you should take steps to maintain your results. Here are a few tips to that end:
- Adhere to a thorough daily oral hygiene routine.
- Minimize your intake of coffee, tea, berries, and other highly pigmented items.
- When you drink a pigmented beverage, enjoy it through a straw so the liquid has minimal contact with your teeth.
- Attend a professional dental cleaning and checkup twice a year.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the more affordable cosmetic services. When you visit us for a cosmetic consultation, we can share some specific numbers with you and explain your treatment options. This service can be a smart choice for budget-conscious folks who want to enhance their appearance!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is usually one set price, but there are some factors that can influence its cost:
- The severity and type of dental discoloration. Some stains are more deep-set and difficult to remove than others. The cause of certain stains can also pose some challenges for whitening. Such factors may raise the cost of your treatment.
- Additional treatment. If you have cavities, gum disease, or other oral health concerns, they should be addressed before you move forward with teeth whitening. Otherwise, the whitening formula may cause significant irritation. Such treatments can have varying fees that depend on their extent.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are four basic categories of teeth whitening:
- In-office whitening. In-office teeth whitening is the most expensive option, with typical prices ranging from $400 to $800. In some cases, it can run $1,000 or more. It is also the fastest way to achieve a brighter smile.
- Take-home teeth whitening kits. Keanna favors professional take-home whitening kits because of their gentleness and convenience. Their price starts out at a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-counter whitening kits. These may cost $100 or less. They usually contain non-custom trays and enough bleaching formula for about two weeks.
- Whitening strips and gels. These are the cheapest ways to whiten teeth, often costing just $20 - $40 for a package that contains enough product for a two-week whitening course.
Professional Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Options
When you look at the above-listed numbers, you might naturally wonder why anyone would choose professional whitening when much cheaper options are available. There are several reasons:
- Professional whitening is more effective. Professional formulas tend to have higher concentrations of bleaching ingredients, which can lead to more dramatic results in less time.
- Professional whitening is safer. Custom whitening trays can protect your soft oral tissues from irritating whitening gels. Dr. Keanna will also make sure your teeth are healthy enough to be whitened before prescribing treatment.
- Professional whitening may cause less sensitivity. Keanna offers a whitening system that is specifically designed to keep post-treatment sensitivity to a minimum.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is affordable for most patients; you might be pleasantly surprised by its price! However, it is important to keep in mind that dental insurance does not usually cover teeth whitening because it is an elective service, rather than one that is medically necessary. If you are looking for other provisions that might make your treatment more affordable, you may be eligible for low-interest financing.
Are you eager to learn more about teeth whitening and its cost? Get in touch with our Albuquerque dental practice today! We look forward to speaking with you.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
If you are interested in brightening your smile, Dr. Keanna and our team would love to help. Before you book a cosmetic consultation, though, you might want to learn more about teeth whitening and what you can expect from it. Below, you will find answers to some relevant questions. If your specific questions are not included here, call our office. We will be pleased to speak with you!
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening is non-invasive, but it can still cause a degree of discomfort. For example, it may cause a temporary increase in dental sensitivity. You can make the teeth whitening experience as comfortable as possible by taking a few practical steps:
- Use a product that is designed to reduce sensitivity, such as the Bravo whitening system.
- Minimize your intake of hot, cold, spicy, and acidic foods after your treatment.
- Make sure your teeth are healthy before you move forward with teeth whitening.
- Do not over whiten your teeth. (Be sure to follow the instructions that come with the whitening product you are using!)
What Is the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Some key differences between professional and over-the-counter teeth whitening include:
- Effectiveness: Professional formulas tend to be stronger, which means they can produce more noticeable results in a shorter period of time.
- Safety: Whitening your teeth under the guidance of your dentist minimizes the risk of extreme dental sensitivity and other complications.
- Customization: Professional whitening formulas are customized for each patient. Take-home kits even use custom trays, which minimize the risk that the whitening formula will get on your gums and cause irritation.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
To keep your teeth as white as possible for as long as possible, you should:
- Reduce your consumption of highly pigmented foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, and red wine.
- Stick to a thorough oral hygiene routine. You should brush twice a day and floss once a day.
- Drink plenty of water to rinse away food particles and bacteria that might otherwise linger in your mouth.
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
- Perform touch-up whitening treatments periodically.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
You might be a candidate for teeth whitening if:
- You are bothered by the yellow or dull appearance of your teeth.
- Your teeth and gums are healthy.
- You do not have any crowns or other restorations on your front teeth (these do not respond to whitening). If you have such restorations, you might need to get them replaced so you can enjoy a smile that has a uniformly bright appearance.
Dr. Keanna and our team can advise you on whether or not teeth whitening is suitable in your unique case.