Teeth Whitening – Farmington, CT
Experience the Power of a Bright Smile
However much you look after it, your smile will suffer stains as you live. Wear and tear, time and other factors make even the healthiest grins look yellow or brown. That said, these facts don’t mean you must live with tooth discoloration; you can always get teeth whitening from Farmington Valley Dental. This treatment helps dark pearly whites live up to their nickname, making a smile seem nice and bright. To learn more about it, please keep reading or book a consultation visit soon!
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There’s a good chance you’d qualify for modern teeth whitening. As long as a patient has decent oral health, most teens and adults can receive the treatment. However, the whitening process does benefit some people more than others.
The best teeth whitening candidates have extrinsic tooth stains. To that extent, treatment is most effective when a patient’s grin has stains from foods, drinks, and other external sources. The same can’t be said for those with intrinsic tooth stains (i.e., stains beneath the enamel); whitening wouldn’t be quite as effective for such patients.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At your consultation visit, Dr. Peters will outline two types of teeth whitening. The first is a take-home kit that works on a flexible schedule, while the second is an in-office treatment.
The type of teeth whitening you choose will impact your treatment timeline. Still, rest assured that both kinds promise comparable results.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you prefer a gradual approach, consider our take-home teeth whitening option. It lets you brighten your smile from the comfort of your home, ensuring treatment occurs at your own pace. You’d simply need to wear gel-infused bleaching trays for a few hours each day over two weeks. After that period, your smile should look six to eight shaders brighter than before.
You should also note that our take-home kits differ from store-bought kinds. They’re more effective than the latter and don’t cause unwanted side effects.
In-Office Zoom!® Teeth Whitening
Our in-office Zoom! ® whitening treatment suits patients who want fast results. Unlike a take-home kit, it’s handled by Dr. Peters himself at our practice. The process uses a hydrogen peroxide gel that lightens your smile’s dentin and enamel layers. When this gel receives a mercury halide light, it makes your grin much whiter and brighter than before.
You can expect Zoom!® professional teeth whitening to take an hour. As for whether you qualify, please confirm your candidacy at your consultation visit.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
For your teeth whitening results to last a long time, please take the following steps:
- Keep Your Smile Clean – You can avoid tooth stains by brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day. Similarly, your smile will stay bright through frequent dental checkups.
- Avoid Stain Agents – If possible, reduce your intake of foods and drinks with stain agents. Notable examples include berries, coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, etc.
- Eat More Dairy – By eating white dairy products, you’ll strengthen your enamel and avoid dyes that stain teeth.
- Get Treatment Touch-ups – See your dentist for touch-ups before your whitening results fade.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a procedure that most patients want to have at one point or another as it’s the perfect finishing touch for a smile. However, it can be somewhat difficult to find all the information you need to budget for your dazzling transformation. This is why at Farmington Valley Dental, we’ve compiled everything you need to know before your appointment in one place. Continue reading below to explore the costs associated with teeth whitening.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
You’ll be glad to know that the price of teeth whitening with Dr. Peters doesn’t fluctuate much. That being said, there are a few factors that can accumulate additional costs, including:
- The Severity of the Staining – More intense stains may require additional treatments or touch-ups, increasing the price.
- Other Preparations Required – Teeth whitening can only be performed on healthy teeth. If Dr. Peters detects decay or gum disease, treatment for those issues will need to be done first.
- Where the Staining Is Located – Extrinsic or surface stains are much easier to break up than intrinsic ones seated deep in the tooth. This discoloration may need extra attention to meet your smile goals.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Teeth whitening treatments come in many forms, and as such, their cost can vary depending on where you get them. The most popular options are:
- Whitening Strips and Gels – These are the cheapest options and can be found in most grocery stores or generic pharmacies for $20 – $40 per box.
- Over-The-Counter Whitening Kits – With a store-bought whitening kit, you’ll get a one-size-fits-most tray and some whitening gel to go with it. These are usually about $100 or less.
- Professional Take-Home Whitening – More expensive than over-the-counter products, these custom-fitted trays use concentrated chemicals. They often run a couple of hundred dollars.
- In-Office Zoom! Whitening – This treatment is typically performed in under an hour and provides high-quality results. It can range from $400 – $800 but can reach around $1,000 or more based on your unique situation.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
As you can see, there’s a big difference in the price between the cheapest option and the most expensive one. Despite this, professional whitening treatments are more popular than ever before. This is because there is an equally wide gap between the results of each of these products. You may need two or more store-bought trays to see anything close to the results of a single whitening procedure performed by Dr. Peters.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening More Affordable
Unfortunately, because teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment, it’s extremely rare to find an insurance plan that will cover the costs. If teeth whitening is an absolute must for your smile goals, we offer several financing options that can make your dream of brilliant pearly whites a reality. For more details, see our patient options page.
Whatever your needs, our staff at Farmington Valley Dental is dedicated to helping you get the quality cosmetic dentistry you deserve. Call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peters and let your sparkling transformation begin.