Teeth Whitening – Richardson, TX
Remove Stubborn Stains and Achieve a Brighter Smile
A bright and confident smile is the perfect accessory for any outfit! Unfortunately, many people are plagued by unsightly dental stains. If that is true of you, visit our team for a cosmetic consultation. We may determine that you are a candidate for a professional teeth whitening treatment. This service has the potential to remove stubborn stains and help you achieve the glowing grin you have always wanted. Read this page to learn more about how teeth whitening works, and then contact our Richardson office when you are ready to schedule your appointment.
Why Choose Cityline Dental Center for Teeth Whitening?
- Take-Home and In-Office Options Available
- Achieve Noticeable, Glowing Results
- Friendly & Detail-Oriented Team
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
You may be an ideal candidate for teeth whitening if:
- You have intrinsic (inside the tooth enamel) or extrinsic (on the surface of the enamel) dental stains.
- Your dental discoloration comes from everyday activities, such as eating and drinking highly pigmented foods.
- You want to feel more confident in social settings.
- You want to achieve quick and reliable results.
- You do not have any untreated cavities, gum disease, or other significant oral health problems.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
There are a number of different teeth whitening options, from basic over-the-counter products to high-end professional treatments. Professional options consistently provide more dramatic results in a shorter period of time, and they are often safer as well. We will customize your treatment according to your needs and goals for treatment.
We may recommend that you undergo either an in-office whitening session or that you use a take-home teeth bleaching kit.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening can brighten your smile by several shades in a matter of just a couple of weeks. Simply use the bleaching formula and the custom trays according to the provided instructions, and enjoy seeing your stains gradually disappear. This option is great for patients with sensitive and those who are not in a hurry to see results.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
An in-office whitening treatment can take as little as one hour. You simply come to our office, and we apply a strong bleaching formula to your teeth. When your appointment is over, you can expect your smile to be significantly whiter than it was when you arrived. This safe and effective treatment is great for patients who are preparing for an upcoming special event, such as a wedding or job interview.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
After your whitening treatment, your teeth will remain vulnerable to stains. Here are some steps you can take to maintain your brightened smile for as long as possible:
- Perform periodic whitening touch-ups.
- Eat white dairy products to fortify your teeth and prevent stains.
- Limit your intake of highly pigmented foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, berries, and red meat.
- Drink highly pigmented beverages through a straw.
- Stick to an excellent oral hygiene routine.
- Visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Now that you’ve learned about the different types of teeth whitening treatments we offer and how you can maintain your results, you might be wondering, “How much does it cost?” At your consultation, we’ll give you an estimate and review the financial solutions available. Until then, you can read on to learn more on the topic, including the factors that affect the price.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The reason the price isn’t the same is because no two smiles are the same! At your consultation, we will conduct a thorough oral exam and learn about your aesthetic goals in order to determine:
- The Extent of the Discoloration – If your stains are more severe, then it may take several appointments to whiten your teeth to the desired shade.
- If Any Preliminary Treatments Are Necessary – It’s of the utmost importance that your smile is healthy prior to whitening your teeth. If it isn’t, we need to improve the health of your teeth and/or gums first.
- If Veneers or Any Other Dental Work Is Present – Since brightening gels don’t work on restorations, we need to customize your whitening treatment to ensure the final result is a balanced and beautiful smile.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
In-office, take-home, and store-bought are the three types of teeth whitening available to patients. Here’s a little more information on the cost of each:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – Although the price can vary, this approach to lifting stubborn stains usually costs between $400 and $800.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – Usually, custom–made trays and professional whitening gels cost a few hundred dollars.
- Store-Bought Whitening Trays – These are sold in supermarkets and pharmacies, and they usually cost $100 or less.
- Whitening Toothpastes – Depending on the store you go to and the brand you choose, whitening toothpastes, gels, and strips can cost anywhere from $7 to $40.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Since store-bought products can cost $100 and professional treatments can cost $400+, you might be wondering why you should invest in the latter. Well, there are a few reasons! Not only are these treatments supervised by a licensed dental professional, but the products used are customized to your unique dental needs. Furthermore, professional treatments can lighten your teeth by upwards of eight shades in a single visit, while OTC solutions can maybe lighten your teeth by a shade or two over the course of several weeks.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
If you are interested in professional whitening treatments but are worried about the cost, don’t worry – we can help you navigate the financial side of your smile makeover as well. To start, we offer periodic special offers, allowing you to get the top-tier care you deserve at a more affordable price. We are also happy to work with CareCredit, which is a third-party financier that allows you to space out the price instead of paying for the entire cost of your teeth whitening treatment all at once.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Have you heard over the years that teeth whitening treatments hurt? Maybe this question is on your mind because you’ve had a bad experience with a dentist in the past. Either way, you can rest assured that our Richardson dental team is here to ensure that every step of the smile makeover process is as smooth and pain-free as possible. In fact, if you’ve struggled with dental sensitivity in the past, we can make adjustments to your treatment plan to help prevent that from happening after your appointment!
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the results of your teeth whitening treatment won’t last forever. Before you get discouraged, there are several ways you can prevent stubborn stains from re-surfacing, prolonging your results in the process. As you may have guessed, implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen is a very important step, so commit to brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. It’s also crucial that you adopt other healthy habits, like getting a dental cleaning twice a year and using a straw when drinking dark-colored beverages.
Is There Anyone Who Isn’t a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There is a small percentage of patients who aren’t candidates for teeth whitening. One example is those with permanent discoloration. In that case, we need to find a different solution, like veneers, in order to achieve the desired shade of white.
It’s also important that your teeth and gums are healthy prior to undergoing a teeth whitening treatment. If decay or an infection is present, then we will need to administer the necessary restorative care. Then, we can revisit the teeth whitening discussion.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
There are two main things that impact the length of time. The first is how severe your stains are to begin with. The more pigmented they are, the more likely it is that you’ll need more than one appointment to achieve the brightness you desire. The second is the type of teeth whitening treatment you choose. Although both in-office and take-home treatments are both reliable, safe, and effective, in-office treatments come with the added benefit that they can lighten your teeth considerably in an hour or so.
Important note: If you want to whiten your teeth for a certain event, like your wedding or a family reunion, let us know! That way, we can keep that in mind when creating your treatment plan.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Remember, dental crowns are made from materials like porcelain, not enamel. Therefore, they don’t have the same response to whitening treatments. In fact, it’s possible for the bond holding your restoration securely in place to weaken in the process, which is why we need to consider any dental work you have prior to starting the brightening process.