Teeth Whitening – San Ramon, CA
Safe & Effective Professional Teeth Whitening
Many of our patients come to our dental office unhappy that store-bought teeth whitening kits weren’t able to provide them with the results they wanted. Not only are these products not always safe for your teeth and gums, but they also aren’t very reliable investments. At Oak Ridge Dental, we use professional systesm for teeth whitening in our San Ramon, CA dentla office that contain highly effective products that have been clinically tested and proven to be safe to use.
Why Choose Oak Ridge Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Professional Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
- Fast In-Office Teeth Whitening Treatments
- Long-Lasting Results with Regular Maintenance
What Causes Teeth to Become Discolored?
Over years of use, your teeth can become discolored for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the causes of dental discoloration:
- Taking medications that cause discoloration, such as tetracycline.
- Excessive fluoride consumption that causes white spots to appear.
- Stains from consuming certain foods and beverages, like coffee and soda.
- Poor oral hygiene due to tartar and plaque accumulation.
- Enamel erosion that reveals the yellow layer of dentin.
Teeth Whitening Options
Dr. Deol offers two different teeth whitening treatment options for your convenience. Both of which contain professional-grade ingredients that have been proven to be effective and won’t cause enamel erosion.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is the fastest option that we offer. During your treatment, we’ll place a protective rubber barrier around your gums and apply a teeth whitening gel of 15 to 35 percent carbamide peroxide to your teeth. Depending on the method you choose, we may also use a special light to achieve more drastic results. After about an hour, you’ll be able to enjoy a noticeably brighter smile.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
If you have a busier schedule or would prefer to complete the process in the comfort of your own home, we also offer professional at-home teeth whitening kits. For these, we’ll craft a customized bleaching tray to make sure that your results are even. The kit contains an at-home whitening gel with 10 percent carbamide peroxide. All you need to do is line your customized whitening trays with the gel and wear them for an hour each day. Within about two weeks, you’ll be able to notice dramatic results.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening
You can also purchase home use whiteners over the counter. While there are so many on the market, most of these products are not as effective as the bleaching methods available in our dental office. If you prefer to use a store-bought whitening system, ask us which product would work best for you. We want you to have a smile you will be proud of, so we’re happy to help. Use over-the-counter products as directed, and never use whiteners for more than the recommended time period.
Teeth Whitening Toothpastes
If your teeth are sensitive to bleaching, your dentists may recommend a dentifrice (whitening toothpaste). These contain chemical or polishing agents to gently remove stains from the surface of your teeth. While your teeth won’t be as white as if you used a bleaching system, whitening toothpaste is safe, easy to use, and can be purchased over the counter.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
How much will your teeth whitening treatment cost? Our team will strive to help you find a reliable answer to this question before you take the first step toward brightening your smile. We can give you an estimate once we have examined your mouth and considered your case carefully. Below is a brief discussion of what you can expect in terms of the financial aspect of teeth whitening. Please let our team know if you have additional questions!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
One key factor to keep in mind is that some dental stains are more severe than others. As such, some patients may require more than one treatment before they get the shade they want. Naturally, additional treatments will add to the overall cost.
You may also need to make room in your budget for necessary preparatory treatments. Existing oral health issues like cavities need to be taken care of before teeth whitening can be carried out.
Finally, you may want to consider having existing veneers and crowns replaced after the whitening treatment. That way, you can get a veneer or crown that matches the updated appearance of the rest of your teeth.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are several kinds of teeth whitening that come with different price tags:
- An in-office whitening treatment will often cost between $400 and $800, though it’s not unheard of for certain patients to pay more in specific situations.
- A take-home whitening kit, which will come with trays that have been personalized for your mouth, will often cost a few hundred dollars.
- Store-bought whitening trays typically cost less than professional whitening kits (often around $100 or less), but they aren’t custom-fitted.
- Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels tend to be the cheapest form of teeth whitening available. A box of two weeks’ worth of whitening strips will typically cost around $20 to $40.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
As you likely noticed above, store-bought whitening methods generally cost less than professional whitening. However, it should be noted that an in-office whitening treatment can yield dazzling results in just one visit, and a take-home whitening kit can brighten your smile significantly in just two weeks; in contrast, it can take months to get the look you want with store-bought whitening. Additionally, professional whitening is safer thanks to the oversight of your dentist.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Most dental insurance plans will not pay for teeth whitening or other treatments performed for purely cosmetic reasons. However, you can still use financing to break up the cost of the whitening process into smaller, easier-to-manage monthly installments. Our team can help you apply for affordable financing through Cherry; feel free to reach out to us if you’re interested in learning more about this option.
Maintaining Your Results
To get the most out of your treatment and maintain a beautiful and bright smile, be sure to follow these helpful tips:
- Avoid foods that are dark in color and could stain your teeth.
- Try to drink darker beverages through straws.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use.
- Maintain good oral hygiene at home.
- Visit us for routine touch-ups.
- Schedule checkups and cleanings every six months.
Alternatives to Teeth Whitening
If you’re not a good candidate for teeth whitening, there’s no need to be dismayed. We offer a variety of additional treatments that can help you achieve a bright and beautiful smile, such as cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers. Be sure to visit us for a consultation to discuss which treatments can help you achieve your dream smile.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Are you bothered by stains or discolored spots on your teeth that won’t go away? If so, there’s a good chance that professional teeth whitening could help you address the problem and improve the overall appearance of your grin.
However, before you can move forward with teeth whitening, our team will need to examine your mouth and check on the state of your smile. If we find that your teeth are currently in good health, then we can likely perform teeth whitening without any problems. But if you’re currently suffering from any oral health issues like cavities or gum disease, they will need to be treated before you can undergo any type of cosmetic dentistry.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, whitening gel does not have any effect on dental crowns. As such, if you have a stained or discolored crown, your best option is to have it replaced. On top of that, you may want to consider switching out your current crown after whitening is completed for a new one that matches your newly brightened smile.
It’s worth noting that whitening gels can potentially have an adverse effect on the adhesive that keeps dental crowns attached to the teeth. Thus, if you’re planning on having teeth whitening performed, you should let your dentist know about any crowns that you have. That way, your dental team can account for your existing dental work while planning your upcoming procedure.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Some patients worry that having their teeth whitened could be a painful process. However, at our office, whitening is handled by a team that always puts your comfort first. We can customize the procedure to keep any sensitivity you experience to a minimum. Please let us know if you have unusually sensitive teeth so that we can plan your treatment accordingly.
Generally speaking, you can reduce sensitivity after teeth whitening by spacing out your treatments. On top of that, in the days following the procedure, you should stay away from hot foods or beverages that can irritate sensitive teeth.
Does Teeth Whitening Qualify for FSA?
An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account, which is pre-tax money that employers set aside to aid their patients in paying for medical expenses. While an FSA can help cover the cost of a variety of dental treatments, you typically can’t use it to pay for teeth whitening, which is strictly an elective procedure.
The good news is that you can indirectly use your FSA benefits to help the results of your teeth whitening treatment last as long as possible. You can generally expect your FSA to cover a wide range of preventive services, including dental cleanings. Having your teeth regularly cleaned by a professional can keep them looking bright while also protecting them from the harmful bacteria that can cause cavities.
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