Teeth Whitening – Virginia Beach, VA
Brighten Your Smile in Comfort at Home
Did you know more than 75 percent of Americans surveyed wished their teeth were whiter? So, if you want to lift stubborn stains and unpleasant dental discoloration, you’re far from alone. While over-the-counter options deliver lackluster results at best, the same cannot be said about professional teeth whitening in Virginia Beach. In fact, Dr. Sarah Esparza and our team can help brighten your smile in comfort at home! Keep reading to learn more or get in touch with us to schedule your initial consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Whether you are struggling with minor stains only you notice or more pigmented discoloration, teeth whitening may be the cosmetic dentistry solution you’ve been looking for! To determine your candidacy, we will first find out the cause, considering both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Next, we will conduct a thorough dental exam to ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition. If they are compromised by an untreated dental concern, like gum disease, don’t worry. We can administer the appropriate restorative treatment beforehand to ensure you get the bright, white smile you deserve while preserving your oral health.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our talented cosmetic dentist in Virginia Beach is proud to offer our patients at-home teeth whitening. Thanks to this option, our team can provide you with whitening trays and professional-strength gel that will deliver beautiful results in about two weeks. This option is far superior to over-the-counter alternatives which rely on one-size-fits-all applicators and diluted whitening agents.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you see the results of your teeth whitening in Virginia Beach, you’re going to want them to last for as long as possible! Fortunately, there are a few best practices you can implement to keep your new-and-improved smile in excellent condition, such as:
- Avoid foods and beverages that are high in stain-causing tannins like coffee and berries.
- Practice good oral hygiene at home (brush at least twice a day, floss daily).
- Eat white dairy products like yogurt to keep your teeth strong and white.
- Visit our team every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning.
Interested in learning more about teeth whitening? Ready to schedule your consultation with our cosmetic dentist? We’re here to help!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening is one of the most affordable ways to remove up to eight shades of stains and discoloration from your teeth in about one hour. The cost of whitening depends on how many treatments you’ll need, which other procedures you require, and whether you choose an in-office whitening or a take-home kit. Here are some other important factors that could affect the price.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While professional whitening is usually one set price, there are several factors that could affect how many treatments you’ll need until you achieve your desired results. These include:
- How severe your stains and discoloration are
- The types of stains present, including
- Age-related
- Medication side effects
- Whether the stains are intrinsic (located within the tooth) or extrinsic (located on the enamel surface)
- Which (if any) procedures are needed first
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
In-office teeth whitening typically ranges in price anywhere from $400 to $800. In some rare cases it can exceed $1,000 or more due to various circumstances.
Dr. Esparza is proud to offer take-home whitening kits with custom-fit trays to her patients. These kits typically cost a few hundred dollars and can be refilled as needed for touch ups. Conversely, over-the-counter whitening trays (not custom-fit) available online and at some discount stores typically cost $100 or less.
The cheapest teeth whitening option are those OTC white strips or gels. These can be purchased anywhere,
including discount stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies. They generally range from $20 to $04 a box, and typically
have enough product to treat your teeth for two weeks.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
While you may be wondering why professional whitening is worth the cost when you can lighten your teeth for less with an OTC product. The truth is, though, that with cosmetic dentistry, you get what you pay for. Not only do these storebought kits contain diluted whitening agents, but they also must be used for much longer to get noticeable results, often costing you more money in the long run.
Conversely, your professional whitening treatment can be done in about an hour, while professional take-home kits typically yield results within a week or two.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Because teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure, it is usually never covered by your dental insurance. However, there are several other options available to make this treatment more affordable.
At Esparza Family Dentistry, we offer a membership plan to our patients without private dental insurance. In addition to preventive care, this plan offers discounted services, including teeth whitening.
If you’re ready to reduce discoloration and stains from your teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Esparza to discuss your smile goals and learn more about professional teeth whitening.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
While it’s not uncommon for people to worry about whether dental treatments will hurt, the process of teeth whitening doesn’t involve much discomfort. Professional whitening treatments are entirely customized to fit the patient’s needs, which minimizes the risk of irritation due to exposing the soft tissues to the bleaching agent. The most common issue patients report is slight tooth sensitivity for a few days afterward, but this will fade with time. You can minimize this mild discomfort by avoiding hot beverages, using desensitizing toothpaste, or spacing your treatments out for longer periods. If your teeth are prone to sensitivity, let our team know so we can adjust your treatment accordingly.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
While teeth whitening is not permanent, its results can last for anywhere between a few months and a couple of years, and the key factor in how long they can last is how well you take care of your teeth. While practicing excellent oral hygiene, attending your biannual dental visits, and avoiding bad habits like smoking or excessive sugar or alcohol consumption are all great ways to make your results last, we can also provide touch-up treatments later to ensure that your smile stays pretty and flashy.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
Depending on how well you take care of your teeth, the results of your teeth whitening treatment can last for a few months or a few years. The most important part of preserving your newly whitened smile is practicing excellent oral hygiene at home by brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using antibacterial mouthwash regularly. It’s also important to see Dr. Esparza for routine checkups and cleanings at least twice a year to prevent new stains from developing, clean hard-to-reach parts of the mouth, and catch any problems like gum disease in their early stages. You can also preserve your whitening results by limiting your intake of dark foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. Drinking darker beverages through a straw can limit how much dye and pigment make contact with your teeth, and quitting smoking will also prevent the forming of new stains and buildups.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you are troubled by unsightly dental stains or discoloration, you may be a great candidate for teeth whitening. However, the only way to know for sure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Esparza, during which he will thoroughly inspect your teeth and gums and discuss your goals for your smile. If you have any untreated tooth decay or gum disease, we will have to address it before your teeth can be whitened, but if your smile is in good shape, you should be ready for the treatment.
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