Teeth Whitening – Richmond, VA
We Can Enhance Your Smile
If you have stubborn yellow or brown stains on your teeth, chances are you’ve tried whitening strips, gels, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and just about any whitening product you can get your hands on. The problem is, those items usually don’t deliver the long-lasting, drastic results you want. For a truly bright smile, you’re going to need professional teeth whitening in Richmond. Fortunately, here at Brown, Reynolds, Snow, LeNoir Dentistry, we offer a whitening treatment more potent than anything you can find in stores or online. Keep reading to learn more about why teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry services.
Why Choose Brown, Reynolds, Snow, LeNoir Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- At-Home and In-Office Whitening Offered
- Low-Interest Financing Available
- Team of Experienced, Compassionate Dentists
Types of Tooth Stains
There are generally two kinds of tooth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic stains develop on the tooth’s surface. They are usually the result of general erosion of the enamel as well as harmful oral habits like smoking or excessive consumption of darkly pigmented foods and beverages. While they can sometimes be removed with whitening toothpastes, some cases require the help of professional whitening.
Intrinsic stains are more severe and occur below the surface of the tooth. They are often the result of trauma, overuse of certain medications, too much fluoride consumption during childhood, or the natural aging process. Although these stains are harder to remove, they can be broken up and cleared away with our professional treatment.
In-Office Whitening
With our in-office whitening, you can expect to see results in about an hour. First, your dentist in Richmond applies a powerful bleaching gel to your teeth and activate it with a curing light. The ingredients in the gel break up the staining molecules on your teeth so that when we wipe away the gel, off come the stains as well. By the time the hour is up, your smile should be several shades brighter!
At-Home Whitening
To achieve more gradual results in the comfort of your own home, we also offer take-home whitening kits. Using impressions we take of your teeth, we craft custom-made trays that fit your unique smile. Simply wear these trays, along with our ultra-potent bleaching gel, for about half an hour a day. Most patients begin to see a difference after just a day or two, but you should achieve optimal results after two weeks of daily use.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Besides the improved appearance of your teeth, here are some of the benefits of undergoing professional teeth whitening from our dental team:
- Boost your confidence
- Achieve long-lasting results in a fraction of the time
- Whiten your teeth more safely and effectively
- Brighten your smile in a more comfortable manner that minimizes sensitivity
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening has blossomed into a massive industry on its own, making it a popular option for patients looking to brighten their smile. However, not all whitening treatments are created equal, which is exactly why the cost of teeth whitening in Patterson can vary depending on several different factors. Feel free to read on to learn how the cost of your cosmetic treatment may be determined.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening will usually have one set price but can increase depending on your specific needs. Based on your desired results, you may need to undergo multiple rounds, making your treatment more expensive. The number of rounds of whitening you complete will vary based on:
- How significant or serious your tooth stains are
- The type of discoloration you have (age-related discoloration vs. discoloration caused by external habits)
- The location of the stains (extrinsic stains are less difficult to remove than intrinsic stains)
- If any other treatments are needed before you can receive teeth whitening (i.e. dental fillings and crowns)
The Cost of Different Types of Teeth Whitening
With so many types of teeth whitening available to the public, it can be difficult to know which solution is right for you. In terms of cost, they typically break down as followed:
- Professional whitening solutions range from $400 to $800. In rare cases they can cost as much as $1,000.
- A take-home whitening kit from a dentist will usually be a few hundred dollars.
- Whitening trays bought over-the-counter are not custom-fit and contain less powerful bleaching ingredients, so they cost about $100 or less.
- The cheapest whitening options come in the form of gels and strips. These run anywhere between $20 and $40 per box and contain enough to whiten teeth over the next two weeks.
Quick and Cheap Teeth Whitening Products vs. Professional Whitening
Considering there are so many affordable whitening products out there, you’d think professional whitening would be less popular. The reality is you truly get what you pay for when it comes to your whitening solutions (and cosmetic dentistry period). The quality of the results is directly reflected in the amount you end up paying. When using cheaper whitening products, it’s typical for patients to get little to no results, especially for more severe discolorations or stains. Additionally, many patients don’t want to wait months just to whiten their teeth.
Not only are professional treatments much faster than cheap store-bought solutions, but they actually whiten teeth and keep them that way for longer. Most patients get results in just one appointment (or roughly two weeks if they decide to purchase take-home whitening).
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Since teeth whitening is purely a cosmetic procedure, you won’t find any dental insurance plan that will cover them. That means you’ll need to either pay out of pocket to cover your teeth whitening or look for other options to finance your care. For example, we may recommend enrolling into a CareCredit plan that allows you to make monthly installments on your care with little to no interest attached. Additionally, you can enroll into our in-house membership plan , which provides discounts on cosmetic dentistry after you sign up!
Our office is ready to assist you in whitening your teeth and breaking down all of your financial options one-on-one, so don’t wait to give us a call and schedule a consultation!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dental treatments, and it’s easy to see why! However, we know that choosing how to best enhance your smile is a big decision, and one that we want you to feel confident when making. During your initial consultation, we’ll be more than happy to fully explain all your cosmetic options, walk you through the teeth whitening process, and answer all your questions. Until then, we invite you to look over the following common questions we get so you can learn more about teeth whitening.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Overuse or incorrect use of store-bought whitening products can easily lead to painfully sensitive teeth or gum irritation. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about any sort of discomfort with a professional teeth whitening treatment. We’re proud to use trusted whitening products with high quality ingredients that are specifically designed to reduce tooth sensitivity. Plus, each one of our treatments are completely customized for your unique smile to ensure optimal comfort and safety. However, if you’re still concerned about tooth sensitivity, just let us know! We’ll make the necessary adjustments to make sure your whitening experience is as pleasant as possible.
What’s the Difference Between Store-Bought and Professional Teeth Whitening?
There plenty of teeth whitening products you can buy at your local grocery store, pharmacy, or online. However, while they may seem like a cheaper, more convenient alternative to a professional treatment, they aren’t likely to live up to your expectations. Since they offer no oversight from a dentist, they can only use watered-down whitening products and one-size-fits all applicators. Both of these factors often lead to disappointing results and sensitive teeth. With a professional treatment, you’ll enjoy practically guaranteed results from powerful whitening products in a faster and safer manner.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Unfortunately, no, the results of teeth whitening are not permanent. Over time, your teeth will naturally begin to discolor again very gradually. However, you can easily expect your smile to stay bright for a year or more with the right care! To make the results of your teeth whitening last as long as possible, make sure to practice great oral hygiene, limit your intake of dark foods and drinks, and visit us every six months for a periodic checkup and cleaning.
Does Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?
Our powerful whitening products can lift years of stains and discoloration from your teeth and turn back the clock on your smile! Since we use professional-grade products, our treatments can reach and break up stains that are quite deep in the enamel. However, there are a few rare cases where teeth whitening may not be the most effective solution for you. This includes discoloration that stems from an injury or infection to the inside of a tooth, overexposure to fluoride in childhood, and taking certain medications. In these situations, we may instead recommend dental bonding or veneers to help you achieve the dazzlingly bright smile you deserve.
Contact Us Today!
For a comprehensive dental exam and cosmetic consultation, give us a call today. We look forward to helping you enhance the natural beauty of your smile!