Teeth Whitening Cottonwood Heights

Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Eliminating stains from your teeth can greatly increase your confidence, improving how you feel in both professional and social situations. Whether you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening depends on the source of your stains and their severity.

Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of tooth stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic stains are stains that sit close to the surface of your enamel, and they come from things like coffee, red wine, and smoking. Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, come from within the tooth itself.

Teeth whitening can help to brighten the enamel, which can eliminate extrinsic stains and help to make intrinsic stains less noticeable. That makes teeth whitening great for anyone who wants to make a positive difference in how they look.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Both in-office and take-home teeth whitening work in essentially the same way— a whitening solution is carefully placed onto your teeth and then soaks in before being removed. This could involve a specialized light used to cure the solution into place.

You may have seen ads for over-the-counter whitening treatments, but when you come to White Peak Dental, you’ll have the benefit of getting whitening treatment customized to you. This means you’ll be able to get the whitest smile possible and less likely to experience any sensitivity after the treatment.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Opalescence Go take-home teeth whitening kits are remarkably convenient, making use of custom-fit plastic trays and a whitening solution you place on your teeth. Unlike over-the-counter whitening kits, both the solution and the plastic trays will be customized to your unique needs.

You should wear the trays for a few hours each day. After around two weeks, you can get your ideal smile.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening, on the other hand, is so fast that it’s hard to beat, thanks to our Boost in-office whitening system. You can walk into your whitening appointment with yellow teeth and, just an hour or two later, walk out with a beautiful white smile! This makes it perfect to get before a big event, like a wedding or graduation.

The professional ingredients used in-office are stronger than those used in our at-home Opalescence Go take-home kits, but don’t worry, in the hands of a professional they’ve been proven to be both safe and effective.

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

Once you finish with your whitening treatment, the results can last for months—but that’s only if you maintain them well. Since you’ve gone to the trouble of investing in your smile, here’s what you can do to keep it shining:

• Avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Red wine, coffee, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and dark fruit can all darken your smile if consumed in excess.
• Keep up with your dental hygiene. Brush twice a day with whitening toothpaste, floss to prevent plaque buildup, and see us every six months for preventive care.
• Eat white dairy products, like milk and yogurt. These will give you the calcium you need to strengthen your teeth.
• Come see us for touch-ups if you need them!

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening 

There are several factors that could affect the cost of professional teeth whitening, including the extent of the stains and the type of whitening treatment you choose. Thus, the price may be different from patient to patient. Here is an in-depth overview of how Dr. Hansen will determine your cost.

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Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Typically, professional teeth whitening is one set price, however this will depend on several factors, including:

• Any procedures needed first such as fillings or crowns
• What type of discoloration is present, such as:
  • Age related stains
  • Medication related stains
  • Whether the stain is intrinsic (within the tooth) or extrinsic (on the surface of the tooth enamel)

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost? 

In-office teeth whitening typically costs between $400 to $800, although in some rare cases it can cost over $1,000 in certain circumstances.

Take home whitening kits which include whitening gel and custom-fit trays typically cost a few hundred dollars, while over-the-counter whitening trays that are not custom fit usually cost around $100 or less.

The cheapest options are whitening strips or gels which are available at most department stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies. These will generally range from $20 to $40 a box and have enough product to treat your teeth for approximately two weeks.

Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening 

If you’ve done the math, you may be wondering what the big deal is with professional whitening, as it’s clearly the most expensive option. However, it is important to remember that when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, you get what you pay for. Cheaper products like white strips or gels often yield barely noticeable results or can take months to see any dramatic changes. With time, this can end up costing more than professional treatment and is a much bigger time commitment. In fact, in-office professional whitening can often be completed in one visit that takes just about one hour to complete!

Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Because professional teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure, your dental insurance will probably not cover it. However, there is another option to help make the treatment more affordable. At White Peak Dental, we are proud to accept CareCredit to help our patients finance more costly procedures that may not fall within their daily budget. To learn about this option, please visit our website for more information.

Dr. Hansen and the team are standing by to evaluate your oral health and answer your questions about professional teeth whitening, so schedule an appointment for a consultation today!

Teeth Whitening FAQs