Teeth Whitening - Michigan City, IN
Invest in a Bright Smile
If your smile has lost its luster over the years, you’re not alone. In fact, tooth discoloration is a concern for many adults and can be a leading source of embarrassment. You don’t need to let yellow teeth damper your confidence. You can turn back the hands of time and reveal a brighter smile with teeth whitening in Michigan City. We offer both in-office and at-home solutions to give you dazzling smile you deserve.
Types of Tooth Stains
Believe it or not, not all stains are the same. There are two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains originate from within the tooth, such as from the use of certain antibiotics or trauma. Previously, intrinsic stains were nearly impossible to treat without needing an invasive procedure to cover them up. Thankfully, new advancements in whitening treatments can significantly reduce their appearance.
The most common type of stains is extrinsic, which occur on the surface of your teeth. They are caused by several factors, like genetics, poor oral hygiene, darkly pigmented foods, or tobacco. Extrinsic stains are fairly easy to treat with a professional whitening solution from your dentist.
At the first sign of discoloration, you’ve likely tried a few over-the-counter products, but they didn’t give you the results you had wanted. You’re not out of options. We offer 2 effective solutions to restore a vibrant smile.
In-Office Whitening
An in-office whitening treatment allows you to get your teeth as much as 8 shades whiter in about 1 hour. After your initial consultation, you’re scheduled for your procedure. We’ll begin by applying a protective barrier to your gums and lips to avoid any irritation to the soft tissues. The whitening agent will be applied to your teeth and a special dental light is used to activate the formula. The light is used for three 15-minute intervals to allow the whitening solution to deeply penetrate the enamel to resolve stubborn stains. You’ll walk out of the office with a beautiful smile that can last with the right aftercare.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
As an alternative to an in-office treatment, you can enjoy the benefits of an over-the-counter product while achieving professional results. We’ll give you the aligners and the professional-grade whitening agent to use at home and around your own schedule for about 2 weeks. As each day passes, you’ll notice your teeth becoming gradually whiter. You can achieve the results you want without ever needing to leave your home.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
When compared to over-the-counter products, professional whitening treatments offer various benefits, including:
- Safe and effective solution
- Reduced risk of tooth sensitivity
- Drastic results
- Improved self-esteem
- Affordable
- Lasting results
Invest in a Brighter Smile
Professional teeth whitening is an excellent solution to restore a youthful, confident smile. Your results can last for many years with the right aftercare, like maintaining your oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. If you’re ready to enjoy a bright smile again, it’s time to contact our office today to schedule your consultation for in-office or at-home teeth whitening.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While you may want a brighter smile, you’ll want to learn about whitening’s price first. How else will you know if the treatment fits your budget? That said, the cost of teeth whitening varies by patient; the only way to get a precise estimate is by consulting our dentists. We’ll strive to make your care affordable once they assess your smile in person. As for how that would work, please keep reading to learn more or book a visit soon.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
In general, teeth whitening has one set price; it won’t change based on your smile’s quality. However, some factors can affect how many treatments you need for the desired results. These include:
- Stain Severity – As you’d expect, deeper and darker stains cost more to remove. You may need many whitening sessions to clear up such discoloration.
- Stain Type(s) – The tooth stains you have also impact the treatment cost. For instance, treatment can often clear up extrinsic stains (i.e., those caused by meals and outside elements) in one session. Meanwhile, intrinsic stains (i.e., those beneath the enamel) aren’t easily erased.
- Preliminary Dental Work – Before your whitening treatment, you may need other dental services. (Dental crowns, fillings, etc.) The cost of your care will rise in that case.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Rather than a generic service, teeth whitening comes in varying types. Which of these you choose will impact your treatment price. The four available options are:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – Teeth whitening in-office costs roughly $400-$800. Still, its price can reach $1,000 or more at times.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – Unlike the in-office kind, a take-home whitening kit (from a dentist) only costs a few hundred dollars. This price covers the kit’s custom trays and bleaching gel.
- “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – When bought over-the-counter, teeth whitening trays don’t cost much. These objects are generic and thus only cost $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – Today, most pharmacies and supermarkets carry teeth whitening strips and gels. They’re the least pricey option of the four – even a box of strips only costs around $20-40.
Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
At first glance, you may wonder why patients strongly favor pro whitening. You could assume that people would prefer the less expensive options. However, the truth is that dentist-approved methods have superior qualities that reflect their price.
For example, look at how the whitening methods differ. Store-bought strips and gels are inexpensive but usually don’t work well. In contrast, pro whitening does cost more but provides quick and effective results. It’ll make your grin six to eight shades whiter after only a session or two.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
True enough, dental insurance rarely ever covers teeth whitening; the average plan views this brightening work as medically unnecessary. Still, you could rely on our practice’s flexible financing service to make your care affordable. This option lets you work with 3rd party financier CareCredit to pay for your treatment in monthly installments. That way, you could get a whiter smile without “breaking the bank.”
In the end, Edgewood Dental wants to brighten your smile in a budget-friendly way. Learn how to finance a great teeth whitening treatment by visiting us soon!