Teeth Whitening – New Lenox
Get Rid of Stains & Smile Brighter
You don’t judge people by appearances, do you? Of course not. But think about this – when you meet someone, what’s the first thing you notice? It’s probably their smile. It’s what encourages you to approach them, talk with them, and maybe even build a friendship. You’re not so shallow that you wouldn’t approach someone with yellowed teeth, but you might be surprised at how many people are put off by a discolored smile. A white, bright smile is simply more inviting. So why don’t you give yourself an advantage – make your smile more inviting with teeth whitening treatments.
Why Choose Us for Teeth Whitening?
- Boost & Ultradent Opalescence Brands For Proven Results
- 100% Personalized Smile Makeover Plans
- Highly Experienced & Passionate Dentists
Teeth Whitening Products
You’ve seen television ads for all manner of whitening products. You see these products in pharmacies, supermarkets, and even dollar stores. Some of them are pretty good – even the dollar store ones. Others, not so much. Some can actually damage your tooth enamel. You don’t want to take chances with your teeth. If you want to whiten your teeth effectively and safely, it’s better to consult a dentist. Your dentist has access to whitening treatments that are far better than the over-the-counter methods, and we will never recommend anything harmful.
Boost Teeth Whitening
If you have a big event coming up fast, like a wedding or a graduation ceremony, speed is most likely your top priority when pursuing professional teeth whitening. Thankfully, Boost Opalescence can create gorgeous improvements here in our office after just one hour! The treatment process is simple – we’ll apply the high-strength bleaching gel with a gentle, brushed tip and then let the patient sit back. This unique, chemically activated formula doesn’t require any uncomfortable heat or intimidating lasers, and the results will be gorgeously dramatic.
Ultradent Opalescence
Would you prefer to whiten your smile at a more gradual, flexible pace? Our Ultradent Opalescence kits are easy to use in the comfort of the patient’s own home and whenever they have free time available, whether that’s early in the morning while getting ready for work or late at night after the kids have gone to bed. You’ll be provided with disposable oral trays and professional whitening gel that need to be used for at least 15 minutes each day. After a few weeks of diligent use, wearers should see noticeable improvements.
Why You Need Teeth Whitening
People can be hard on their teeth. We’re not here to judge – we know that you enjoy your cola, tea, coffee, and red wine. We enjoy them too! Smoking is also bad for your teeth and your health, so please don’t smoke. The problem with various highly enjoyable beverages is that they can stain your teeth, and you won’t be able to clean them with conventional toothpastes – not even the whitening kind. Professional cleanings can be helpful, but whitening treatments deliver amazing results.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
The tooth whitening process helps to lighten and whiten the teeth, and the goal is to remove stains from the enamel. Quite a few things can cause stains on a person’s teeth. Some of the biggest culprits include coffee, tea, soda, red wine, tobacco, and even some medications. With all of these different things causing stained teeth, it is no wonder people want to whiten their teeth. However, not all people are good candidates for teeth whitening.
Who Is the Best Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Patients who have healthy and unrestored teeth, as well as good gums, are the best candidates for teeth whitening. Those who have yellow stains on their teeth seem to respond the best to treatment.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you are under 16 years old, bleaching is not recommended. This is because bleaching could irritate the pulp in teeth and cause it to become sensitive. Patients who are pregnant or lactating should also not undergo a teeth whitening procedure.
If you have sensitive teeth, you should avoid this process as well. Please talk with our experienced dentists here in New Lenox about your level of sensitivity, and they will let you know if it is a good idea to continue with treatment.
If you have worn enamel, exposed roots, cavities, or gum disease, you are not a good candidate for teeth whitening. In addition, it’s important to know that whitening techniques will only work on natural teeth. If you have implants, veneers, or crowns, they will not get whiter with treatment.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Before you go all-in on any dental treatment, certainly you’ll want to be clear on what it’s going to cost. Below, we’ll touch on all the factors that impact the cost of teeth whitening in New Lenox. Though it can vary from patient to patient, gaining a better understanding of the elements involved will help you know what to expect before your smile rejuvenation.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While professional teeth whitening treatment has a preset cost, there are aspects regarding the particular patient that can make it more or less expensive, such as:
- Preparatory treatments : If a patient has cavities or gum disease, these will need to be addressed first. Otherwise, teeth whitening may lead to further problems and may not yield optimal results.
- The degree of discoloration : Severely stained teeth may require multiple treatments for the patient to achieve their desired shade.
- The cause and location of the discoloration : Are your teeth stained due to an age-related issue or a medication you take? Is the staining located on the enamel surface or within your tooth?
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
- Professional Take-Home Whitening Kit: For this, the dentist creates a customized set of trays and provides professional-strength whitening gel for the patient to use at home. Altogether, it usually costs a few hundred dollars.
- Professional In-Office Whitening: The cost of in-office teeth whitening generally ranges from $400-800.
- Store-Bought Whitening Kit: These trays and gel are available in most grocery stores and pharmacies, and the cost typically spans from $20-100.
- Whitening Strips & Gels: This is easily the cheapest option. Strips in particular usually cost $20-40 for a box that lasts two weeks.
Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
If you prioritize cost when you pursue teeth whitening in New Lenox, your wallet may appreciate it, but the impact on your smile likely won’t be what you were hoping for. Why is that the case?
For one, the products used by your dentist are several times stronger than anything you can find at the store. This enables your dentist to deliver much better, more noticeable results upon your smile. Also, the exam your dentist performs before proceeding with whitening treatment may be crucial. It could prevent you from accidentally irritating your mouth due to a cavity or infection that snuck under your radar.
While a professional treatment might be more expensive upfront, odds are you’ll end up enjoying your smile more and spending much less cash in the long term because you won’t have to bother with touch-ups every few weeks.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Because teeth whitening is considered an elective procedure, it is very rarely covered by dental insurance. Fortunately, here at Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox, you don’t have to pay for the treatment entirely upfront. If needed, you can break up the cost with CareCredit’s low-to-no interest financing. We also have the Smile Saver Club which offers 10 percent off teeth whitening and other treatments, as well as an array of benefits at no extra cost! When you contact our office, be sure to let us know if you are interested in utilizing CareCredit or want to hear more about the Smile Saver Club.
Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions
Have you ever considered having your teeth whitened but wondered if it might be bad for your tooth enamel? There are all kinds of misconceptions about teeth whitening. The fact is that it is a perfectly safe cosmetic dentistry treatment and will not cause harm at all.
What About Sensitivity?
Yes, your teeth could end up being a little sensitive following a whitening treatment, but this sensation should be temporary. In other words, it will go away in a day or two.
Can Anyone Undergo Teeth Whitening Treatment?
Generally speaking, yes. If your teeth are extremely sensitive, though, it might be best to consult your dentist before proceeding with the treatment.
How Long Will Teeth Whitening Last?
Usually, you can expect that your teeth whitening treatment will last at least six months and possibly up to two years. The better you take care of your teeth following treatment, the longer your improvements will last. If you avoid things like coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, and other foods that can compromise the color of tooth enamel, your smile will stay brighter longer.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Yes, it is. Our team would never recommend any treatment that could harm your teeth.
Is Teeth Whitening Expensive?
This is pretty subjective. Think of it in this context: you could buy OTC teeth whitening treatments that might cost you $20. Each one of those treatments might whiten your teeth by one shade and last about a month. On the other hand, you could get a whitening treatment from your dentist that would whiten your teeth by eight shades and last for years, but it might cost you $700. It’s up to you to decide which is the better deal.
Is Teeth Whitening Toxic?
No, but that doesn’t mean that you should not proceed with caution. If you experience sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide, which is the main ingredient in teeth whitening treatments, then you should definitely let your dentist know before you proceed with whitening treatments.
Can’t I Just Use a Whitening Toothpaste?
You can, but do not expect to get the same results that you would from professional teeth whitening treatments with your dentist.