Teeth Whitening – Wilmington, NC
How We Create Vibrant, Beautiful Smiles
Over the years, have you noticed that your teeth are looking more yellow than white? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, a recent survey found that 80% of Americans between the ages of 18 and 49 want whiter teeth. That’s why our team at Lundgren Dental offers in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments! To learn more about this cosmetic dentistry treatment, including whether it’s ideal for you, get in touch with us or read on.
Why Choose Lundgren Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Highly Rated Dental Office on Google
- Kind and Talented Dental Team
- In-Office and Take-Home Treatments
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Whether you only recently started to notice a yellow hue or you’ve been struggling with stubborn stains for years, you may be a candidate for teeth whitening in Wilmington. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment at our office! The sooner you do, the sooner Dr. Lundgren can learn about your aesthetic concerns, determine the source of the stains, assess the health of your smile, and, ultimately, determine if this is the best way to make your smile goals a reality.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The first step of the process is always the same: scheduling a consultation. After that, however, the stain-lifting process will look a bit different depending on whether you choose an in-office or take-home whitening treatment. Here’s a little more information on each!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you want to achieve noticeable, beautiful results from the comfort of your own home, you can since we offer Opalescence Go take-home teeth whitening kits! Using the products as directed will deliver the results in about two weeks. That said, many patients see a difference after just one use.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you’re interested in whitening your teeth for a special event, like a graduation or wedding, then we will likely recommend an in-office treatment. After all, with Zoom!, we can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in as little as an hour!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Following your teeth whitening treatment, it’s important to take certain precautions to prevent stubborn stains from resurfacing on your teeth. A few examples include:
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently
- Eating plain yogurt, white rice, and other light-colored foods
- Using a straw when drinking pigmented beverages, like coffee
- Breaking stain-causing habits, like smoking
- Scheduling a dental cleaning every six months
Are you ready to take the next step toward having the vibrant, gorgeous smile that you deserve? If so, get in touch with us to schedule your consultation!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Whether you want to address slight stains or more noticeable discoloration, you likely have some questions about the cost. Fortunately, we’re here with answers! Although we can’t provide you with an estimate without knowing what your dental needs and smile goals are, we can share some helpful information, including how you can make the price more affordable.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
During your consultation, we will determine:
- If any preliminary treatments are needed – If we find any existing oral health problems during the initial exam, then we will need to factor in the cost of the necessary restorative care.
- If an in-office or take-home treatment is ideal – Usually, take-home treatments cost a little less than in-office ones.
- How subtle or dramatic you’d like the results to be – If you want a more dramatic improvement, then it may take more than one teeth whitening treatment to achieve the desired results.
Once we have all of this information, we can create your custom treatment plan and share the cost of teeth whitening in Wilmington.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Patients who want a brighter smile have a few options, including:
- In-Office Treatments – These can lighten a patient’s teeth by up to eight shades in a single visit, and they usually cost between $400 and $800.
- Take-Home Treatments – The custom applicators and professional brightening products often cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Products – Although the price can vary depending on the store and brand, these are usually less than $100.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Oftentimes, patients are tempted to reach for over-the-counter products first. While they are marketed as more cost-effective alternatives to professional treatments, the truth is that the diluted brightening gels and flimsy applicators make it difficult to achieve noticeable results. All that to say, if you want your pearly whites to live up to their name again, your first step should be to schedule an appointment with our team at Lundgren Dental! That way, we can determine the source of the stains, the health of your smile, and whether professional teeth whitening is right for you.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
As you may have guessed, dental insurance providers don’t typically cover the cost of teeth whitening. There is good news, though: you can make the price more affordable with CareCredit! This trusted third-party financier offers convenient payment plans so you don’t have to pay for your treatment in one lump sum. Instead, you can break it up over the course of several months into smaller, more manageable installments.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Good news: the teeth whitening process is so painless that we don’t even need to numb your mouth. Plus, there are a few ways you can prevent sensitivity in the hours following your treatment, like spacing out your visits and using a desensitizing toothpaste. All that to say, you don’t have to worry – we go the extra mile to ensure that the stain-lifting process is comfortable.
Is Teeth Whitening Covered By Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance providers don’t typically cover the cost of teeth whitening since it isn’t “medically necessary.” Fortunately, there is another way you can make the cost more affordable: CareCredit! This trusted third-party financier offers convenient payment plans, so you don’t have to pay for your entire treatment plan in one lump sum. Instead, you can break the total cost up into smaller, more manageable chunks that fit comfortably within your budget.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
While take-home treatments usually take a few weeks, the stain-lifting process can be completed in as little as one hour with in-office ones. With that said, we don’t recommend waiting until a few days or weeks before a special event to schedule an appointment. There are a few reasons for this, starting with the fact that tooth decay, gum disease, and other common oral health problems need to be treated before we can focus on lifting stubborn stains. Similarly, if you want a dramatic new look, it may take more than one whitening treatment to achieve the results you desire.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, teeth whitening in Wilmington is not permanent. The best way to prolong your results is by taking good care of your smile. That starts with committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home and extends to scheduling a dental cleaning every six months. Additionally, you should avoid doing anything that could cause a yellow hue to resurface on your teeth, like drinking coffee without a straw or using tobacco products.
What Should I Eat After Whitening My Teeth?
Speaking of prolonging the results of your teeth whitening treatment… It’s important to be selective about what you eat. Instead of filling your plate with blackberries, tomato soup, ketchup, and other pigmented foods and sauces, we recommend eating egg whites, bananas, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and white fish. It’s also a good idea to reach for water over tea, coffee, red wine, and soda.