Teeth Whitening – Fort Worth, TX
Whiten Your Teeth, Transform Your Smile
If you’ve looked at your smile and wished your teeth were whiter, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent survey found that roughly 80% of Americans want whiter teeth! Although over-the-counter products promise beautiful results from the convenience of your own home, the flimsy applicators and diluted brightening agents rarely deliver. If you want to truly transform your smile, you should book a consultation with our Fort Worth cosmetic dentist to discuss professional teeth whitening. To learn more about this stain-removing treatment, keep reading or contact our team.
Why Choose Teeth Whitening for Harris Parkway Dental Care?
- 5-Star Dental Team in Fort Worth
- Convenient Appointment Times During the Week
- Flexible Financing Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If stubborn stains have surfaced over the years, then you should schedule a consultation with our team to discuss our take-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments! Both of these options can blast away discoloration that has surfaced for numerous reasons, from frequent coffee consumption to the natural aging process, which makes them suitable for a wide range of patients. Of course, there are a few exceptions, including patients with permanent dental staining. Don’t worry – if that’s the case, then we can discuss the other cosmetic dental treatments available to you.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our professional teeth whitening treatments reliably remove dental discoloration, revealing the bright, beautiful smile you desire. Of course, the treatment process does look a bit different from patient to patient. For example, while some patients want to see immediate results with in-office treatment, others want to gradually whiten their teeth from the comfort of their own home. Here’s a bit more information about each option:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Unlike store-bought alternatives, our take-home teeth whitening treatments genuinely allow you to remove stains from the comfort of your own home. After we confirm you’re a candidate, we will provide you with everything you need as well as detailed instructions on how to use the products. Over the course of the next two weeks, you’ll see your teeth noticeably brighten!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office treatments, on the other hand, are conducted right here with our cosmetic dentists. There are a few noteworthy benefits to this option, including that your teeth can be up to eight shades brighter after just a single one-hour treatment! As a result, this is popular for patients who have an important event coming up, like a wedding or class reunion.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The good news is that maintaining your beautiful results doesn’t require anything too extensive. In fact, many of the best practices we recommend should already be a part of your oral hygiene routine, including:
- Visiting us semi-annually for a checkup and cleaning
- Brushing and flossing consistently
- Using a straw to drink dark-colored liquids, like coffee
- Quitting unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
- Getting touch-up whitening treatments as needed
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Before you commit to teeth whitening, you’ll likely want to learn its price first. After all, you can’t benefit from a treatment outside your budget. Still, the cost of teeth whitening varies by patient; it isn’t something you can learn beforehand. If you need an exact estimate, consult our dentists; they’ll provide a precise amount after assessing you. Our team will then strive to make your care affordable, guiding you through pricing factors, dental insurance, and more.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening usually has one set price; it won’t change based on your smile’s quality. That said, some factors can affect the number of treatments needed for desired results. These elements include:
- Stain Severity – All in all, it costs more to remove deeper and darker stains. Some patients need many whitening visits to clear up intense discoloration.
- Stain Type(s) – Besides stain intensity, stain type also impacts treatment cost. Whitening can often clear up extrinsic stains (i.e., those from meals and outside elements) in one session. In contrast, intrinsic stains beneath the enamel are hard to remove and need more sessions.
- Preliminary Dental Work – Sometimes, a patient requires other services before a whitening treatment; these can include dental crowns, fillings, and so on. Depending on the exact service(s), the cost may rise more or less.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Instead of a generic procedure, teeth whitening is a service with several types. Which one you choose will affect your final treatment price. As for the actual options, they are:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – The cost for in-office teeth whitening is usually $400-800, though it can reach $1,000 in some cases.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – To buy a take-home whitening kit (from a dentist), a patient would only need a few hundred dollars. This price covers the kit’s trays and its bleaching gel.
- “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – If you buy them over the counter, teeth whitening trays are pretty budget-friendly. They’re generic and thus only cost $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – Teeth whitening strips and gels are the least costly option of the four. In general, pharmacies and supermarkets only charge $20-40 per box.
Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Given the higher price, it can seem odd that pro whitening is very popular. You may have thought people would want the less costly options. Even so, there’s a good reason for this popularity: dentist-approved whiteners have qualities that justify their price.
As for the evidence, just look at how the whitening methods differ. Store-bought strips and gels don’t cost much, but they usually don’t work well. Meanwhile, pro-whitening costs more but offers quick and effective results; it’s sure to make your grin six to eight shades whiter!
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental insurance hardly ever covers teeth whitening; most plans see it as medically unnecessary. On the bright side, you can still rely on our practice’s flexible financing program to make your care affordable. With this setup, you could work with 3rd party financier CareCredit to pay for your treatment in monthly installments. The result would be a whiter smile that’s much more budget-friendly!
Harris Parkway Dental Care doesn’t want your shiny smile to “break the bank.” Instead, visit our office – we’ll gladly finance your teeth whitening treatment!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Your Enamel?
Teeth whitening in Fort Worth will not damage your enamel when using professional whitening systems under the supervision of a cosmetic dentist. Over-the-counter whitening products can harm your enamel, especially if you use them too often. In addition, your teeth and gums must be healthy before any whitening treatment to prevent dental problems. Your cosmetic dentist will ensure your mouth is healthy and use safe solutions to reverse stains and discoloration. It's important to space out your whitening treatments to avoid harming your enamel.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening should not hurt if your mouth is healthy. Your cosmetic dentist in Fort Worth can cater your treatment to your comfort level if you're prone to sensitivity. They may recommend avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks for 24-48 hours to prevent sensitivity. They may also suggest desensitizing toothpaste to block uncomfortable sensations. You can avoid tooth sensitivity with teeth whitening by following your dentist’s recommendations.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Ceramic dental crowns are stain-resistant, so they shouldn't discolor. However, your natural teeth can still change color over time, causing your restorations to look unnatural. Unfortunately, teeth whitening will not have any effect on the color of your crowns because they are not porous, like your enamel. In addition, whitening ingredients can weaken the bonding material holding your restoration in place, which may cause it to fall off in time. You don't have to live with tooth discoloration. Your cosmetic dentist will create a personalized treatment plan to ensure seamless results for a bright smile to be proud of.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Teeth whitening is safe for most patients with good oral and general health. Your cosmetic dentist will examine your mouth to look for anything concerning, like tooth decay or gum disease. Any untreated dental issues will need to be addressed before your whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is safe when used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Your cosmetic dentist can get your teeth up to 8 shades whiter safely.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
In addition to a healthy mouth, teeth whitening is recommended for patients with surface stains. You can achieve noticeable results when used to treat discoloration caused by poor oral hygiene, age, drinking a lot of coffee, and other surface stains.