Teeth Whitening – San Diego, CA
Achieve a Glowing Smile
White, bright teeth are associated with youth and beauty. But what if your teeth look a little yellow, dark, or lackluster? Our Rancho Bernardo, San Diego dental team is here to help. We proudly offer take-home professional whitening kits from Opalescence. When you use your kit as directed, you could achieve a glowing smile within just two weeks or so! Would you like to learn more about this popular cosmetic dentistry service? Get in touch with our friendly team today. We look forward to speaking with you!
Why Choose Nelson Y. Howard, DDS for Teeth Whitening?
- Convenient Take-Home Whitening Kits
- Treatment Customized to Your Unique Circumstances
- Stunning Results in About 2 Weeks
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is an excellent option for almost anyone who is bothered by dental stains. Whether your stains are intrinsic (within your teeth) or extrinsic (on the surface of your teeth), we may be able to help.
When you visit us for your consultation, we will learn about your dental health and treatment history before we approve you for whitening. You should be free of oral health issues before you move forward with cosmetic services.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening products usually work by using a peroxide-based formula to break up pigment molecules within the enamel. There are quite a few different teeth whitening products on the market, from over-the-counter options like toothpaste and whitening strips to professional kits like the ones we offer from Opalescence. We firmly believe that professional whitening is superior because it uses a more powerful formula and is customized to the needs of each unique patient.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
The Opalescence take-home teeth whitening kit uses customized trays that are designed to fit comfortably on your teeth. We will choose the formula that is right for you. Some patients use a very strong formula that they should apply to their teeth for just 15 minutes or so at a time, while others use a milder option that they can leave on overnight. We will design your treatment based on your preferences, the condition of your teeth, and other relevant factors.
With proper use, you should start to notice a brighter smile in just a few days. However, optimum results usually take about two weeks.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening is not permanent, but you can enjoy long-term results from your treatment if you take these steps:
- Minimize your consumption of highly pigmented foods and beverages. Instead, eat a lot of foods like white dairy products, potatoes, bananas, and other items that have low staining potential.
- Stick to a good oral hygiene routine. Regular brushing and flossing can do much to reduce the formation of new stains.
- Do not smoke. Tobacco products are notorious for causing dental stains.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking to enhance the natural beauty of your smile, teeth whitening is a great option! It is also one of the most affordable cosmetic solutions. There are a variety of factors that can impact the cost of your treatment. Here are some things for you to take into consideration so there aren’t any unnecessary surprises.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
In most cases, teeth whitening is one set price. However, there are some factors that affect how many treatments you need until you reach the goal that you have for your smile. Here are some of the most prominent:
- Severity of Discoloration: If your teeth are very discolored, you may need additional treatments to achieve the results you are looking for.
- Type of Discoloration: Intrinsic stains are much easier to lift than intrinsic stains.
- Additional Treatments: If you have any existing oral health issues, like a cavity or gum disease, they will need to be treated ahead of time.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are several different types of teeth whitening, and they are all at different price points. Here is what you can generally expect from each one:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: This is the most costly option, as it can cost anywhere from $400 to $800. However, in some cases, it can cost over $1000!
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening: Professional take-home whitening kits usually cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays: Teeth whitening trays that you can get from your local drugstore are usually $100 or less.
- Over-the-Counter Strips/Gels: This is the most affordable option out there. These boxes can cost between $20 and $40 on average and contain enough product to last about two weeks.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
When just looking at the numbers, you may wonder why anyone opts for professional teeth whitening. Why pay more? The truth is that when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality is clearly reflected in the amount that you pay. When you opt for cheaper strips and gels, you are likely to see little to no results, especially if you have more significant discoloration. However, professional treatments can give you beautiful results in a fraction of the time. You can see visible whiter teeth in just a couple of weeks with professional take-home whitening kits. When choosing a teeth whitening treatment, it is important to consider the results that you want and how long you are willing to wait.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is not covered by dental insurance because it is considered an elective treatment. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be left completely on your own. We accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. To learn more about your financial options or where you can apply, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly team members.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
Depending on how well you take care of your teeth after the procedure, the results from your teeth whitening can last anywhere from a few months to a few years. The best thing you can do to extend the lifespan of your results is to implement solid dental hygiene, as well as making regular preventive visits to our office. You can also limit those foods that can contribute to a darker smile, like coffee and wine.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is safe and effective, so most people who are interested in brightening their smile are good candidates for the procedure. The only potential issue is if you’re currently dealing with tooth decay or gum disease, as these problems could potentially create complications for the whitening treatment. In this case, we will usually take the time to deal with your issues before whitening your teeth.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Teeth whitening is effective because the whitening solution is able to penetrate into the teeth and lift stains. Dental crowns, however, aren’t nearly as porous as your natural teeth. This means that it’s not really possible to use professional whitening to change the color of your dental crown. If you’re unhappy with the way your restoration looks, the only option available to you is usually to replace it entirely.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Teeth whitening is completely safe when performed by a trained professional. We’ll be able to customize the strength of your whitening treatment to your unique needs, and can check to ensure that you aren’t dealing with any oral health problems that could cause complications for treatment.
If you decide, however, to make use of store bough whitening treatments, your safety can’t necessarily be guaranteed. Many of these products aren’t approved by the FDA or ADA, which means that there could be hidden risks associated with their use. If you want whiter teeth, it’s best to see a professional.