How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
Good oral hygiene is an important part of preventing gum disease and maintaining the healthy appearance of the gums and teeth, but even people with impeccable oral hygiene may find that their teeth aren’t as white as they would like. Teeth can become stained or discolored for a few different reasons, including taking certain medications or eating or drinking certain foods or beverages, like coffee and tea, and, over time, teeth may lose their brightness and luster. There are a few reliable options for teeth whitening rockford illinois, and these vary in effectiveness, convenience, and cost. You may read about some supposed whitening remedies on the Internet, but your dentist is the best authority on the safety and efficacy of teeth whitening treatments, so talk with your dentist before choosing the whitening treatment that will work best for you.
The optimal teeth whitening treatment is an in-office whitening procedure. This is done in the dentist’s office, allowing the dentist to use a high concentration of whitening agent. Your dentist will protect your gums and soft oral tissues and apply a strong whitening gel to your teeth, possibly using an ultraviolet light to enhance the gel’s whitening effects. Some patients achieve sufficient whitening results with just a single office visit, though additional treatments may be recommended in some cases. Dentists can also provide custom whitening trays for patients to use at home, though the concentration of peroxide is lower than in an in-office treatment, thereby necessitating more treatments. These professional whitening options are preferable to over-the-counter whitening options for a few different reasons. First, in-office procedures include supervision by a dental team. Before a whitening treatment begins, your dentist will evaluate your oral health and ensure that your teeth are healthy and clean and will also determine whether you have any restorations that won’t respond to whitening. Because in-office whitening procedures are closely supervised, dentists can ensure patient safety and use the highest concentrations of whitening agents. Dentists can protect the gums and soft tissues of the mouth with topical gels that leave only the teeth themselves exposed to the whitening agent. These higher concentrations of whitening gel create fast results that last a long time and require fewer treatments for optimal whitening. If the teeth are discolored because of an underlying disease or condition, your dentist can also discuss and plan treatment with you.
Professional whitening treatments and at-home treatments all include some combination of peroxides, as regulated by the American Dental Association. Over-the-counter whitening products include toothpaste, rinses, whitening strips, and kits that include gels and application trays and syringes. These over-the-counter options range in price from around $5 to $50. In-office whitening treatments cost around $600, though this price may increase when the treatment involves laser whitening or other specialized techniques. While this is significantly more than over-the-counter whitening, excellent, long-lasting results can typically be achieved with fewer treatments. Customized take-home whitening trays are a good cost compromise for many people, ranging in price from about $250 to $500. While the concentrations of peroxide in these take-home trays are lower than that used in in-office procedures, the trays are prepared specifically for the patient and contain higher concentrations than over-the-counter treatments, generating good results in less time. If professional whitening is within your budget, talk to your dentist about whether it is a good option for you.