Teeth Whitening – Glastonbury, CT
Enhancing Smiles in Less Time
Stains and discoloration can cause a person to shy away from social gatherings and opt for the comfort and safety of their own home. When you’re ashamed or embarrassed by your smile because of years of drinking coffee, smoking or chewing on your favorite pens and pencils, you might think there is no viable solution to fix the damage that has been done. Fortunately, Dr. Heim and Dr. Carroll can treat these problems with teeth whitening in Glastonbury, CT. Using the Opalescence teeth whitening system, you can see dramatic results in a matter of weeks. To find out more about this unique solution and how you can get started, contact us today!
Why Choose Heim & Carroll DMD, LLC for Teeth Whitening?
- Fast & Safe Teeth Whitening Treatment
- Team of Experienced Cosmetic Dentists
- Custom Trays and High-Grade Whitening Gels
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Individuals who have stubborn surface stains or discoloration that lies deep-down beneath the tooth’s enamel can benefit from teeth whitening. It is important for your dentist to perform a full examination prior to moving forward with any type of cosmetic treatment to determine if any other factors could be causing your teeth to dull.
If you are prone to teeth grinding, have thinning enamel, or your gums are receding, teeth whitening may not be the best solution for you. It will be necessary to address these issues and receive proper treatment before having your teeth whitened.
If you’ve had restorations (i.e. fillings, crowns), it may be necessary to have these replaced so that the color of your artificial tooth matches the rest of your teeth.
How Does the Process Work?
If you choose to use at-home teeth whitening in Glastonbury, your dentist will provide you with the Opalescence system. Using convenient trays, the high-grade bleaching gel provided is used to enter your enamel and begin blasting away stains. Containing peroxide, the substance causes superior whitening results that will have you see an enhanced, whiter and brighter smile.
The trays are customized to fit your smile, ensuring a comfortable and clean fit. Depending on the severity of your stains, you and your dentist will choose the concentration of the bleaching gel you will use when performing your treatments at home. After wearing your trays for a designated amount of time each day, you can expect to see results in just two weeks.
Tips for Maintaining Your Teeth Whitening Results
In order to maintain your whitening results, it is important that you follow a few easy steps:
- Maintain a good oral hygiene routine that includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash
- Keeping your regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings
- Avoid consuming dark-colored foods and beverages
- Stop smoking or using tobacco products
- Stop drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Do not use your teeth as tools
- Talk to your dentist about a custom mouthguard if you have bruxism
- Do not chew on inanimate objects or ice
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is an elective procedure, so if you’re considering having it done, one of your biggest concerns is probably whether you can afford it. The cost will be different for everyone; our team can explain the factors that go into the final amount you’ll end up paying. The following information can help you get a grasp on the costs of teeth whitening. Please contact us if you have any additional questions.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
One whitening treatment has a fixed price, but not everyone achieves the results they’re looking for the first time. The more severe your dental stains are, the more treatments you’ll need. It goes without saying that each additional treatment will increase the amount you end up paying.
It may not just be the whitening itself that you’ll need to think about. Your teeth and gums will need to be healthy before you can have cosmetic dentistry performed. If you have cavities or gum disease, you will need to make room in your budget to have them treated prior to teeth whitening.
One last thing you’ll need to consider is the presence of any restorations in your mouth. Once your other teeth have been brightened, your restorations are likely to become much more noticeable. You may need to get a replacement that blends in better.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Here’s a brief comparison of what the different whitening methods typically cost:
- Take-Home Whitening Kit: The price depends on various factors, but it will normally be around a few hundred dollars.
- Store-Bought Whitening Trays: Whitening trays bought over the counter usually cost less than $100.
- Strips, Gels, & Whitening Toothpastes: The cost can vary depending on what products you’re thinking about, but it should generally be in the lower range – often around $40 or even $20.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Why pay for a professional whitening kit when other whitening options are so much cheaper? The answer can be summed up in two words: quality results. Professional-grade whitening tends to be more effective for removing more severe forms of discoloration. For that matter, patients who use professional whitening kits usually see significant improvements after just a couple of weeks; meanwhile, some people use store-bought whitening products for months before they start seeing the changes they want.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening isn’t typically covered under dental insurance, but you can still use financing to pay for it in smaller installments. We work with CareCredit, a trusted third-party financing company that helps make various dental treatments more affordable for patients across the country. If you’re interested in learning more about how CareCredit works and how you can qualify for one of their payment plans, please give us a call.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Is your smile starting to look a bit dull? Do you have noticeable staining and discoloration? Or do you want to simply brighten your pearly whites up a few shades? If you answered ‘Yes!’ to any of these questions, you might be considering teeth whitening in Glastonbury. Before moving forward with the process, we want to ensure you’re as well-informed as possible, which is why we’ve decided to answer some of the most common questions below. Should you not find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our team for personal assistance!
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
If you have healthy enamel, you don’t have to worry about teeth whitening damaging it at all. However, the bleaching chemicals can cause problems for teeth that are compromised by issues like decay or gum disease. That’s why it’s incredibly important to have a comprehensive dental exam beforehand!
During your cosmetic consultation, we’ll determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for professional teeth whitening based on the state of your oral health. Even if you decide not to opt for this service, we can offer valuable insight into products and oral hygiene practices that can help you safely achieve your goals.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Not long at all! Because professional whitening treatments use dental-grade products, you can expect fast and effective results. We’ll provide you with a take-home whitening kit that can gradually whiten your teeth over the course of a couple of weeks. If you’re struggling with more severe discoloration, you may need additional treatments to achieve your desired level of whiteness.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Unfortunately, dental crowns cannot be whitened like your natural teeth. On the contrary, teeth whitening may lead to complications between your tooth and restoration. Make sure you are fully transparent about your dental history during your consultation to ensure we don’t hurt your smile.
The good news is that you can keep your dental crowns from discoloring by following the same best practices you use for your natural teeth, such as not smoking and limiting your consumption of dark-colored liquids. If you’re unhappy with the color of your restoration, it can always be replaced to better suit your smile goals.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
There is no room for error when it comes to your smile! For that reason alone, it’s critical that you only use products designed specifically for your teeth and gums. Be cautious of products that aren’t FDA- or ADA-approved as they have not undergone rigorous testing, meaning they could potentially cause short and long-term damage.
Rest assured – professional teeth whitening is incredibly safe! Not only is it administered by a licensed professional, but the custom-designed trays will ensure the solution does not spread to your gums or cause you to accidentally ingest it. Plus, the percentage of the solution will be adjusted to guarantee you get the results you’re looking for.
