Teeth Whitening – Enfield, CT
Achieve a Truly Radiant Smile
Coffee, wine, berries, genetics, and other factors can all make your teeth appear dull and lackluster. Are you ready to get rid of your dental stains? Visit the team at Four Town Dental to discuss our professional teeth whitening services. We may be able to help you erase even severe discoloration and enjoy a smile that is bright, youthful, and radiant. On this page, you will learn more about our whitening services and how they may be able to benefit you.
Teeth Whitening Options
We use the Kör system to help our patients whiten their teeth. While there are a few different protocols with the Kör family of products, there are basically two options for you to achieve brighter teeth:
- At-home whitening. We will provide you with a kit that includes professional strength whitening gel and custom application trays. You may begin to notice results the first time you use your kit, but you should achieve optimum results after about two weeks.
- In-office whitening. This option combines a single in-office whitening visit with at-home whitening.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening offers some outstanding benefits:
- Dramatic results. We will customize your treatment to help you achieve a bright, radiant set of teeth — even if your teeth have significant staining.
- Minimal sensitivity. The Kör system includes a desensitizing agent that mitigates the discomfort commonly associated with teeth whitening.
- Look younger. People often associate white teeth with youth. Your treatment may give the impression that you are years younger than you really are. Your improved smile may also detract attention from signs of aging on other parts of your face.
- Improved oral hygiene. Your desire to maintain the results of your whitening treatment might motivate you to be extra-diligent about sticking to a thorough oral hygiene routine.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of your treatment will depend on which whitening option you choose and other factors. We will discuss pricing with you when you visit us for your cosmetic consultation. In general, teeth whitening has a lower cost than most other cosmetic dental treatments, so it is a popular choice among individuals who want to improve the look of their smile without making a large monetary investment.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Some factors that might influence the cost of your whitening treatment include:
- The severity and type of discoloration you are dealing with. Some types of stains are more difficult to remove than others. For example, intrinsic (in the enamel) stains tend to be more stubborn than extrinsic (on the surface of the teeth) stains.
- The cause of the staining. Stains caused by food and drink consumption are usually simple to deal with, but discoloration that is the result of certain medications or other factors may be more challenging.
- Additional treatments. Some patients need restorative care, such as fillings or gum disease treatment, before they are candidates for teeth whitening.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are four basic types of teeth whitening, each of which comes with its own price range:
- In-office teeth whitening may cost $400 - $800, though in some cases, the price can exceed $1,000. This is the fastest whitening method.
- Take-home professional whitening kits, which use custom trays, may cost a few hundred dollars. The strength of the whitening formula can also be adapted if you have dental sensitivity.
- Over-the-counter whitening trays, which are not customized to your unique smile, may cost around $100 or less.
- Whitening strips and gels, which are available over the counter at many stores, often cost just $20 - $40 per box. Usually, these products have enough supplies for a two-week course of whitening.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
Given the above numbers, you might wonder why anyone would choose to invest in professional whitening when much cheaper options are available. There are a few reasons:
- Professional whitening tends to use more powerful bleaching formulas and can therefore provide more noticeable results.
- Professional whitening is often safer than over-the-counter options because it is done under the supervision of a dental team. All of the products used have been thoroughly tested for safety.
- Professional whitening is usually faster than over-the-counter products.
- A professional dental team can help you navigate complicating factors in your cosmetic dentistry journey. For example, they can assist with even very stubborn types of staining.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic procedure. Since it does not have any direct benefits for oral health, dental insurance almost never covers it. However, there may still be a few provisions you can use to make your whitening treatment easier to afford:
- Essential Dental plan. This discount plan offers reduced fees on the majority of services available in our office.
- After a quick application process, many patients qualify for low-interest financing through a third-party lender, such as CareCredit or Sunbit.
Are you interested in learning more about teeth whitening and its cost? Our Enfield team is eager to speak with you! Get in touch with our office today.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Our patients often have many questions about teeth whitening. Below, you will find answers to a few of the questions that we hear most often. If your specific questions have not been included here, please reach out to us directly. We are always happy to speak to both current and prospective patients!
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
How long your results last will depend largely on you. Teeth are porous, so they absorb pigments over time. However, you can prevent most stains via thorough oral hygiene, wise food and beverage choices, and periodic at-home whitening maintenance. You should also avoid smoking and the use of chewing tobacco. With careful maintenance, your results may last anywhere from a few months to a few years.
Will I Need to Bleach My Teeth for the Rest of My Life?
We recommend that our patients periodically use a professional at-home kit to refresh the results of their original treatment. You will need to continue doing so indefinitely if you wish to retain your teeth’s whiteness.
However, a word of caution is in order. Whitening your teeth too often could lead to oral health complications. You should visit us for regular checkups so we can continue to guide you in your endeavor to maintain a bright white smile for all the years to come.
If you do not wish to repeatedly whiten your teeth, ask us about veneers, which are resistant to stains and can last for a decade or longer.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Professional teeth whitening formulas are designed to reduce sensitivity. However, your teeth may still be extra-sensitive to hot and cold items for at least a few days after your treatment. To minimize discomfort, you may need to temporarily modify your diet. We may also recommend the use of sensitivity-reducing toothpaste.
Extreme pain should not occur with teeth whitening. If you notice any severe or unusual side effects after your treatment, call us right away.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Both professional and store-bought treatments use a bleaching formula to break up pigment molecules in the teeth. However, there are some key differences between these two approaches:
- Professional whitening is often faster and much more effective.
- Thanks to the supervision of a qualified dental team, professional whitening is consistently safe. Some over-the-counter options are not dentist-approved and may harm your enamel if they are misused.
- Professional whitening treatments are customized to the needs of each unique patient.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
You may be a candidate for teeth whitening if you feel self-conscious due to discoloration on your teeth. This treatment is safe and effective for most people.
Of course, our team will need to examine your mouth to make sure that you do not have any untreated cavities or other oral health issues that might affect your candidacy for cosmetic treatment.