Teeth Whitening – Santa Fe, NM
A Brighter Smile You Can Achieve at Home
No matter how hard you try to avoid stained teeth, there’s a good chance they’ll become discolored at some point. The daily wear and tear of eating, the foods and drinks you consume, and even your oral hygiene routine can play a part in how soon and how visible the stains become. Fortunately, Dr. Zhang at Juniper Dental can offer professional teeth whitening in Santa Fe to remove stains above and below the enamel to reveal a brighter, more beautiful smile. Call us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about professional teeth whitening.
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Tooth stains can form as a result of genetics, consuming dark-colored beverages and foods, smoking, and even taking certain medications. If you’re thinking about asking Dr. Zhang about teeth whitening because you want a smile that not only looks healthier but also makes a good impression when applying for a job or meeting someone new, he will first need to evaluate the extent of the stains. This will allow him to determine if they exist only on the surface (extrinsic) or below the enamel (intrinsic) as well. Once he has completed his evaluation, he will decide how to ensure the most successful results.
Most candidates for teeth whitening possess good oral and overall health; however, should we find that you have a cavity or existing gum disease, we will recommend the appropriate method of treatment before starting the whitening process.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At Juniper Dental, Dr. Zhang and our team at pleased to offer Ivoclar at-home teeth whitening kits so that you can conduct your treatment in the comfort of your home. While other offices provide in-office treatment, we believe patients can receive the same exquisite results more conveniently and comfortably. One unique aspect of professional teeth whitening is that it is customized to each patient’s needs – something over-the-counter kits cannot provide.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Dr. Zhang and our team will provide you with our Ivoclar at-home teeth whitening kit, which is customized to your smile’s unique needs. Using a more powerful whitening agent to remove intrinsic and extrinsic stains from teeth, the process is easy to follow, allowing you to see results in as little as two weeks. Not only will you enjoy a more convenient way to brighten your smile, but you’ll also appreciate safer and more effective results than store-bought brands.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you complete your teeth whitening treatment, it’s important that you pay special attention to how you care for your smile going forward. Following these few helpful tips will give you the best chance to enjoy your new pearly whites longer and get the most out of your investment:
- Brush, floss, and rinse your mouth daily
- Limit or avoid your consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages
- Stay away from tobacco products and avoid smoking
- Keep up with your six-month dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist to ensure that your smile remains free of stains throughout the year.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
It’s only natural to want to reduce the appearance of surface stains to enhance your smile and boost your confidence. However, if you’re worried about the cost, you might avoid scheduling a cosmetic consultation.
Our team is happy to provide a detailed estimate once we’ve examined your grin and have determined this treatment is the best way to meet your unique needs. Continue reading to learn more about potential pricing, and feel free to contact our office for additional information.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening products do typically have a predetermined pricing structure, there are several factors that might affect how many treatments you need to achieve the desired shade, such as:
- Whether other procedures are required. Our team will examine your mouth and treat any pre-existing concerns, such as cavities or gum disease, that could negatively affect the results, which must also be paid for.
- The type of discoloration. Extrinsic stains in the surface of your enamel caused by consuming darkly toned foods and drinks often respond better to topical bleach than deeper intrinsic stains in the lower layer of dentin, and usually require fewer treatments.
- The severity of your condition. More severe discoloration may take repeated applications to sufficiently brighten your enamel.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Associated Pricing
There are a few ways that can potentially help you achieve your smile goals, outlined in more detail below with their typical costs:
- In-office procedures. Some providers offer in-office whitening procedures, which often range between $400 to $800+.
- Professional take-home kits. We can send you home with everything you need to achieve quality results from your living room, usually for several hundred dollars.
- Store-bought trays. It’s sometimes possible to purchase one-size-fits-all whitening trays for $100 or less.
- Commercial strips and gels. Many stores and pharmacies carry boxes of strips or gels for $20 to $40.
Commercial-Grade vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
You’re not alone if you’re looking at the pricing above and wondering why you should invest in professional treatments when cheaper options are available. But store-bought options often contain diluted bleaches that are less likely to provide consistent coloration and could cause sensitivity.
Meanwhile, our team uses ultra-concentrated Ivoclar solutions to deliver optimal outcomes while minimizing potential discomfort. We also send you home with custom-fitted applicator trays for more accurate outcomes that you can rely on.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental insurance can often be an effective way to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and our office is considered in-network with Delta Dental. We also are happy tow ork with other plans, but most policies don’t cover the cost of cosmetic services that are meant to improve your appearance more than your dental health, such as teeth whitening.
But there may be exceptions, and your plan might also contribute to other aspects of your treatment, such as your examination, to help lower the total cost. If you’re unsure what’s included in your policy or have additional questions about payments, please contact our office. Our friendly staff are familiar with the process and are happy to help you maximize any applicable benefits.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does teeth whitening hurt?
If you’re concerned that achieving the perfect shade for your teeth will cause aches, you can thankfully set your fears aside. This topical treatment is considered non- or minimally invasive because there’s no need for numbing or needles, and the application is usually straightforward.
With that said, some patients do develop mild sensitivity after whitening because the bleach expands the microscopic pores in their enamel. This allows sensations, such as hot and cold temperatures, to travel more easily into the tender nerves within the teeth and trigger tenderness.
Fortunately, this effect is usually temporary and resolves itself in time. Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help alleviate associated sensitivity.
How do professional services differ from over-the-counter products?
Many store-bought whitening gels and strips are more cost-effective than our professional-grade take-home kits, leading some patients to question what the difference is between these two options.
Commercial-grade whitening treatments from your local store or pharmacy often contain diluted bleaches that are less comfortable and effective. Not only can they potentially cause sensitivity, but they might also result in uneven coloration that might require professional services to fix.
Meanwhile, our team sends you home with ultra-concentrated gels designed to reduce discomfort and custom-fitted trays for more accurate application, helping you achieve ideal results from the comfort of your own home.
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
Anyone who isn’t 100% happy with the shade of their smile can benefit from this popular cosmetic service, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best way to meet everyone’s unique needs. Before proceeding, you must consult Dr. Zhang to determine whether you’re a good candidate.
For instance, our team will examine your mouth and treat any pre-existing problems, like cavities or gum disease, that might interfere with the outcome. Then, we can provide an appropriate treatment plan to help you achieve your smile goals. If your dental stains exist in the outermost layer of enamel, they’re likelier to respond to topical bleach than blemishes that originated or seeped into the lower layers of dentin. The latter might require other cosmetic procedures, such as veneers or dental bonding, to address.
How can I help maintain my brighter smile?
Once you have achieved the ideal shade, it’s only natural to want to do everything you can to preserve the results. Most patients can help maintain their recent aesthetic enhancements by:
- Cleaning their teeth consistently. Brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that give deeply colored particles a rougher surface to cling to.
- Avoiding darkly toned foods. Steering clear of common culprits, such as coffee, tea, berries, tomatoes, and wine, can help prevent additional discoloration.
- Eating more dairy. Lightly toned dairy products, like yogurt, milk, and some cheeses, contain calcium to strengthen your enamel without staining your teeth.
- Scheduling touch-ups. You might require periodic retreatments to maintain the ideal shade.
- Attending routine preventive visits. Seeing our team every 6 months for a standard checkup and cleaning allows us to monitor your dental health and polish away more recent surface stains.