Teeth Whitening – Vero Beach, FL
Lift Stubborn Stains from the Comfort of Home
Did you recently look at yourself in the mirror or your smile in a photo and realize that your teeth have started to yellow? Whether it’s due to a new medication, that extra cup of coffee in the morning, or the natural aging process, don’t worry – our team at Cromer & Cairns Dental can help. With our take-home whitening kits, you can lift stubborn stains from the comfort of your own home! To schedule your consultation, get in touch with our Vero Beach cosmetic dentist. You can also read on to learn more about the teeth whitening process.
Why Choose Cromer & Cairns Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Gentle Dentist with 20+ Years of Experience
- In-House Dental Discount Plan Makes Saving Easy
- Comfortable, Modern Dental Office
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Do you find yourself covering your teeth when you laugh or keeping your lips closed when you smile because your pearly whites are looking more yellow than white? If so, then you may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening! We recommend scheduling an appointment at our Vero Beach dental office so we can pinpoint the source of the discoloration, assess the state of your oral health, and determine if you’re a candidate for this cosmetic dental treatment. If you are, then we will get to work creating your custom treatment plan!
How Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Work?
While over-the-counter kits are certainly convenient, they can’t whiten your teeth like in-office treatments with your dentist. With our take-home whitening treatments, you can have the best of both worlds. Our Vero Beach dental team uses Zoom!, which is a whitening system that includes a potent bleaching solution as well as custom-fit trays. You’ll use them for a set amount of time each day and by the two-week mark, your smile will be noticeably brighter!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
To keep your teeth stain-free for as long as possible, you should:
- Use a straw when drinking coffee, wine, and other dark-colored beverages
- Fill your plate with light-colored foods, like white fish and oatmeal
- Brush your teeth after each meal
- Floss and rinse with mouthwash daily
- Visit us for a checkup and cleaning every six months
- Avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
- Get touch-up whitening treatments as needed
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Now that you understand more about how our team can help brighten your smile, it’s natural to wonder how much it costs. Everyone’s situation is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Once you’ve had your consultation appointment, we’ll happily provide you with a detailed estimate so you know what to expect before moving forward.
Continue reading to learn more about the price of teeth whitening, and feel free to contact us for more information.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although this service often has a single set rate, different factors can impact how many you’ll need to achieve your ideal results. They are:
- The severity of your discoloration. Slightly off-white teeth might only require one treatment, whereas darkly tinted ones may need repeated procedures which can drive up the total amount due.
- The type of stain present. External stains in your enamel can be more easily bleached away than intrinsic stains in the lower layers of your teeth, which requires fewer applications and is, therefore, less expensive.
- Whether additional procedures are needed. At your consultation, our team will examine your mouth for areas of concern, such as tooth decay or gum disease, that need to be addressed before proceeding. You’ll be responsible for the fees for each additional service required.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are many potential options to choose from when you’re considering ways to lighten your grin. Below, we’ve outlined what you might expect to pay for each:
- In-office teeth whitening. Not all providers offer in-office services, but the ones that do typically charge between $400 and $800, though in rare cases, the price can reach up to $1,000+.
- Customized take-home kits. Your dentist can give you a take-home kit that includes professional-grade gels and customized trays that fit like a glove for maximum results from the comfort of your home. These typically are a few hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-counter” whitening trays. Some retailers sell one-size-fits-all trays that can cost $100 or less.
- Commercial whitening strips. Many stores carry whitening kits and strips for $20 to $40 per box, often containing enough strips to last for two weeks.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic service intended to enhance your appearance more than your oral health, so most dental insurance plans don’t cover the cost. If you’re trying to improve your smile on a budget, it’s natural to wonder why you should opt to pay more for professional services when there are less expensive solutions.
However, when it comes to dental care, you often get what you pay for, and cheaper isn’t always better. Store-bought products use cheaper whitening agents that are more likely to cause teeth sensitivity. Plus, there’s no guarantee that you’ll achieve the desired results because the trays might not fit well enough for an accurate application. You might pay more for professional assistance, but you’ll have a sparkling, healthy smile to show for it.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
We don’t want what’s in your wallet to hold you back from having the perfectly white teeth you’ve always dreamed of. Our friendly office staff are happy to provide additional information or help you with the necessary paperwork so that you can utilize one of the following methods to help cover the cost:
- Flexible financing. We’ve partnered with CareCredit so that if your application is approved, you can break up your invoice into more manageable installments.
- In-house memberships. For $100 per year, you receive access to preventative care and 10% discounts on all other available services.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Patients often assume that the price is the only difference between professional and store-bought teeth whitening treatments, leading to them choosing the latter. In reality, there are several other noteworthy differences, starting with the fact that your dentist considers the cause of your discoloration, the severity of the stains, and the health of your teeth and gums. They also customize your treatment plan instead of using one-size-fits-all applicators and diluted brightening gels. In short, although they require a higher investment upfront, professional whitening treatments are superior because they are safe, reliable, and effective.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Take-home whitening treatments typically take about two weeks. That said, you will begin to see improvements even sooner – sometimes after just one use! If you are a bit worried about your treatment timeline because you have an important event, like a wedding, rapidly approaching, don’t hesitate to let us know; we’ll do our best to make sure your smile is camera-ready in time.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the results of your teeth whitening treatment will not last forever. The good news is that you can keep your smile nice and bright with a few simple best practices, like using a straw when drinking coffee, avoiding dark-colored foods, and brushing your teeth after each meal and snack. Plus, when stains inevitably start to surface again, you can visit us for touch-up whitening treatments!
Is Teeth Whitening Covered By Dental Insurance?
Most of the time, teeth whitening treatments aren’t covered by dental insurance providers. However, you shouldn’t let that stop you from scheduling a consultation with us! We happily offer our patients who are interested in transforming their smiles other financial solutions, including CareCredit flexible financing, an in-house membership plan, and periodic special offers. At your appointment, we will review all of these so you can determine which one is best for you.
Are There Any Foods or Drinks I Should Avoid After Whitening My Teeth?
Yes! In an effort to keep your teeth stain-free, we recommend steering clear of dark-colored foods, like tomato soup, balsamic vinaigrette, and blackberries. Instead, opt for foods like white fish, plain yogurt, and oatmeal since they are smile-friendly and light in color. We also encourage our patients to stick to water and, if they want to drink coffee, soda, or another dark-colored beverage, to use a straw.
Is There Anyone Who Isn’t a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There are some cases where professional teeth whitening isn’t ideal. If, for example, your teeth are badly decayed or your gums have developed a serious infection, then our Vero Beach dental team will need to provide the necessary restorative care first. After that, we can revisit cosmetic treatments, like teeth whitening. Ultimately, the best way to find out if our take-home whitening kits are right for you is by scheduling a consultation with us. We’ll determine if this is the right smile-enhancing treatment for you and, if it’s not, which one is!