Teeth Whitening – Carmel, IN
Brighter Teeth for Better Smiles
Millions of Americans across the country want whiter teeth, which is probably why teeth whitening is such a popular cosmetic treatment . When there are unsightly stains and discolored spots on your enamel, professional whitening can help you remove them in order to create a more dazzling grin. Have you been thinking that your smile is just a little too dull? Get in touch with our Carmel practice today to ask about the whitening options that Dr. Springhetti and Dr. Oberley offer.
Why Choose Springhetti Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office and Take-Home Whitening
- Fully Customized Treatment Plans
- Virtual Smile Design Technology
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth can become discolored for any number of reasons, and teeth whitening is more effective in some cases than others. We’ll need to figure out the source of your cosmetic woes to confirm that you’re a teeth-whitening candidate.
Additionally, our team will have to evaluate your overall oral health. Cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues need to be treated before teeth whitening is carried out. Our ultimate aim is to keep your smile safe while also helping you achieve your cosmetic goals.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
We may recommend either take-home teeth whitening or in-office teeth whitening depending on what your needs and preferences are. Here is what you need to know about each option.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
With a take-home whitening kit, you can brighten your smile while relaxing on your couch watching television or reading a book. All you have to do is fill the customized whitening trays with bleaching gel and put them in your mouth. Exposing your teeth to the whitening gel each day will cause them to gradually lighten. You can often see a big difference in just a couple of weeks.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office whitening is often the preferred method for anyone that wants to improve their teeth for an event in the near future. The whitening gel used for the procedure is powerful enough to get rid of stains above and below the enamel. In-office whitening can often be completed in about an hour, which means it won’t be long before you’re able to show off a beautiful, gleaming smile.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
How long do the results of teeth whitening last? The answer is different for every patient, but the good news is that there are a few strategies that can help you keep your dazzling new smile longer. Here are some recommendations from our team:
- Try not to drink too much coffee, soda, tea, or red wine. All of these beverages are infamous for staining teeth.
- Do not use tobacco products. In addition to having an overall negative impact on your oral health, they can easily lead to discolored enamel.
- Take care of your smile. Brush two times a day, floss daily, and rinse with mouthwash regularly to remove unwanted substances from your teeth.
- Schedule biannual checkups and cleanings. During these visits, you can ask about having touchups performed if you think you need them.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Brightening your smile can be great for your confidence, keeping your teeth attractive and glowing. While many patients won’t hesitate to commit to the treatment, others are more cautious, especially when they don’t know how much it’ll cost. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, we believe in transparency when it comes to pricing at Springhetti Dentistry. So, if you want to know more about your options for teeth whitening and their potential costs, read more below.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While we typically charge a set price for our whitening treatments, there are some factors that can cause it to fluctuate, such as:
- How Deep Your Stains Are: Extrinsic (surface) stains are far easier to break up than intrinsic ones deep in your tooth enamel. Depending on the severity of your stains, you could need more than one treatment to achieve your desired results.
- The Type of Discoloration: Aging, medications, and genetic factors can all contribute to the appearance of your teeth and some can’t be treated.
- Whether You Need Other Treatments: Whitening is a cosmetic procedure and falls in priority when you have other dental issues to fix first. These other procedures can contribute to the total cost of your treatment.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
The average consumer is spoiled for choice as far as whitening options go. Today, there are multiple ways at different price points.
- Store-Bought Strips and Gels: The cheapest options by far are convenient packaged products found in supermarkets. A box of strips costs around $20 - $40 depending on the brand.
- Over-the-Counter Kits: These are mass-produced trays with whitening gel that may or may not fit your smile. While they generally have better results than boxed gels, they cost almost twice as much on average.
- Professional Take-Home Whitening: Take-home treatments from your dentist use high-grade chemicals and customized trays to brighten your smile in comfort.
- In-Office Whitening: The fastest and most successful option is also the most expensive at $400 - $800. However, the results are fast—usually only taking one hour to complete.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
So, why do most patients prefer professional options when there’s such a large price difference? The answer is simple: quality over quantity. To achieve the same results as one professional treatment, you may need to use several boxes of strips or multiple store-bought kits.
Not only does the price add up, but repeated use of whitening chemicals can weaken your teeth, making them more sensitive and easily damaged. It’s better to preserve your oral health and your wallet to invest in the more expensive option. Not only will you feel better afterward, but your results will also last much longer!
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
It’s nearly impossible to find an insurance plan that covers whitening treatments. However, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options when it comes to making your teeth whitening more affordable at Springhetti Dentistry.
- In-House Membership Plan: Patients without insurance may find our membership plan much more convenient and affordable. We offer multiple options so you can customize your care, and each one comes with a discount for many of our normal treatments.
- CareCredit: We also proudly accept CareCredit for those who qualify for the program. This option allows you to finance all your dental work and make payments like a traditional credit card.
So, if you want a dazzling smile, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll work with you to find a path to your desired brilliance!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Teeth whitening is a quick and simple procedure that can make a massive difference in your smile. This draws all kinds of people to the treatment, including those who have never had any experience with cosmetic dentistry.
If you’re one of them, you may understandably have questions about what the procedure is likely to entail, and what you can expect from the results. We’ll be sure to address any questions you have when we meet you in person, but before then, here are some examples of the most common ones that we get.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
All things considered, teeth whitening is a safe and simple procedure. As a result, just about anyone who isn’t happy with the color of their smile could benefit from it, especially those patients who have stubborn discoloration that’s hard to remedy with just brushing.
The only caveat is that it’s important to make sure that you aren’t dealing with outstanding oral health problems. If you have tooth decay, for example, the whitening gel could irritate your root pulp. For that reason, we will examine your teeth thoroughly and will treat any issues that could get in the way of treatment.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
The results from teeth whitening will fade over time, but people tend to be pleasantly surprised by how long they last. Typically, you can expect the results from your teeth whitening anywhere from several months to a few years. However, this largely comes down to how well you take care of your teeth.
If you want the results from teeth whitening to last for as long as possible, be sure to brush well and limit your consumption of foods that can stain the teeth. We also offer touch-up treatments to brighten your smile if it’s started to darken.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
As you may know, there are a variety of DIY whitening kits available over the counter. These are often considerably cheaper than what you would get in terms of professional whitening, which makes them a tempting option for people.
However, DIY teeth whitening is typically considerably weaker than what you would get from us, which often leads patients to overuse them. This can lead to sensitive teeth or irritated gums. For that reason, we would recommend against DIY teeth whitening.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
As with any dental treatment, you may be reticent to dive in for fear of discomfort. You’ll be pleased to hear that teeth whitening is completely painless, rarely even necessitating local anesthetic.
If you’re someone who is ordinarily prone to sensitive teeth, you should tell us that beforehand so that we can take extra precautions to ensure your comfort. With a little bit of effort on our end, the entire thing should be completely painless.