Teeth Whitening – Mineola, NY
Out With Stubborn Stains, In With a Brighter Smile
Are you struggling with discolored teeth? Even if you practice good dental hygiene every day, your smile can still darken over time. This can be due to several reasons including frequently consuming dark-colored foods and drinks—like coffee, red wine, and blueberries—or genetic predispositions. Most people in this situation may start to feel self-conscious about their smile, covering their teeth when laughing or taking a photo. Fortunately, our team at Meadowbrook Dental Care can create a brighter smile quickly and effectively with teeth whitening in Mineola. Keep reading or reach out to our friendly staff to learn more about this treatment today!
Why Choose Meadowbrook Dental Care for Teeth Whitening?
- High-Quality & Safe Bleaching Solutions
- Offers In-Office & At-Home Whitening Procedures
- Professional & Friendly Dental Team
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you have stubborn stains or mild discoloration in your smile, then you may be a good candidate for teeth whitening. Scheduling an initial consultation with our team is the best way to determine if you are. We’ll evaluate your oral health, discuss your smile goals, and strategize the ideal treatment plan to address your dental needs. And if we detect any developing issues during your appointment, we’ll be sure to provide the necessary treatments before continuing with your cosmetic dentistry process.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
After discussing your smile goals and how soon you want your results, our team will recommend one of the following teeth whitening options:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Want to brighten your pearly whites at your convenience? We can offer both Zoom and Opalescence take-home teeth whitening to do this! You’ll be given custom-made trays and bleaching gel to wear as instructed. After wearing them for a certain period every day for two weeks, your smile will appear several shades lighter.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
We can provide a Zoom in-office teeth whitening procedure if you’d like to get results in just a single visit. Our team will apply a safe and powerful whitening agent directly to your teeth and then use a special UV light to blast away stains from your enamel. You’ll be able to enjoy a beautifully whitened smile in as little as an hour!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you’ve completed your teeth whitening treatment, you can expect to enjoy the results for several months to a couple of years. However, this will depend on how well you take care of your smile after your appointment. Here are a few methods to consider when prolonging your brighter teeth:
- Practice proper dental hygiene (i.e., brush twice a day, floss at least once, etc.)
- Keep away from dark-colored foods and drinks, such as coffee (or use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth).
- Avoid smoking tobacco products.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings.
- Schedule touch-up treatments when necessary.
Do you think you can benefit from teeth whitening in Mineola? Feel free to schedule an appointment with our team, and we’ll be happy to discuss your options!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
You may want teeth whitening treatment. It would, after all, remove all sorts of stubborn tooth stains! Still, you may be worried about the expense it’d involve. A brighter smile won’t do much good if it “breaks the bank,” so to speak. In truth, though, the cost of teeth whitening varies by patient. Thus, you’d need to consult our dentists for an exact treatment estimate. That said, Meadowbrook Dental Care can help you manage the final price. Please keep reading to learn more or call our office for details.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening usually has one set price. That said, some factors impact how many treatments you’d need for desired results. Common ones include the following:
- Issue Severity – As expected, darker tooth stains may require follow-up whitening sessions. In that case, you’ll have to pay more.
- Stain Type(s) – Whitening can quickly fix extrinsic stains caused by foods or drinks. In contrast, intrinsic ones within the tooth require multiple appointments.
- Need for Preliminary Work – Sometimes, a patient needs a preliminary procedure before whitening – fillings, crowns, etc. Should that apply to you, your treatment will cost more.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Of course, the price of teeth whitening also depends on the type you get. The four standard ones are:
- In-Office Whitening – In-office teeth whitening can cost anywhere from $400 to $800. Granted, its cost can reach $1,000 or more in certain cases.
- Take-Home Whitening – Take-home whitening kits, which include custom-fit trays from a dentist, usually cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays – Due to being one-size-fits-all, over-the-counter whitening trays tend to cost $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips – Most stores and pharmacies carry teeth whitening strips. As such, their price ranges from $20-$40 per box, with each container having enough strips to treat teeth for up to two weeks.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. OTC Teeth Whitening
Considering the numbers above, you might wonder why professional whitening is preferable. It’s more expensive than other options, so why pay for it?
The answer boils down to how price reflects the quality of work. While cheaper, store-bought strips and gels offer almost no noticeable results. (This fact is especially apparent when you have more severe discoloration.) In contrast, professional whiteners quickly lighten enamel by multiple shades – improvements come in as little as one visit!
Ultimately, you should consider your ideal results when choosing your teeth whitening method. Given the right effects, an approach’s price is more than worth it.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Since whitening treatment is purely elective, most dental insurance plans won’t cover it. Thankfully, though, there are other options for making the procedure affordable. Here at Meadowbrook Dental Care, for example, we offer:
- Membership Savings Plan – By paying a low monthly fee, our savings plan would give you (among other things) a 10% discount on whitening treatment.
- Flexible Financing – Thanks to third-party services like CareCredit, our office can let you pay in monthly installments. Doing so would allow you to afford teeth whitening more easily.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Teeth whitening gel and other professional-grade products do not damage healthy enamel. With that said, if there is existing decay or gum disease present, the chemicals can lead to problems later on. This is why it’s so important for us to perform a comprehensive oral exam before recommending teeth whitening. Keep in mind that home remedies for tooth stains, including activated charcoal and hydrogen peroxide can do more harm than good. You should also avoid overusing teeth whitening products. If you’re looking to whiten teeth or remove tough stains, speak with one of our dentists first! They can discuss your specific goals and make sure you’re achieving them safely.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Professional whitening in-house can be completed extremely quickly, something that cannot be said for store-bought solutions. In fact, many people can lighten their smiles up to eight shades in a single visit. Professional take-home options use stronger bleaching materials and can slowly whiten your teeth over a span of a couple of weeks. Other treatments may be needed if you have more pigmented discoloration, so feel free to ask us about your options to do so before your initial whitening. If you have an important event coming up and you want to look your best, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Teeth whitening is not a permanent cosmetic treatment, meaning that you’ll require a touch-up every so often depending on your day-to-day habits. For example, you may only need to visit for more whitening after a year or a few months based on your at-home oral hygiene and diet. To ensure the longest results possible, stay committed to brushing, flossing, and visiting our office for a checkup every six months. Avoid habits that can negatively impact your smile’s white appearance, such as consuming foods and drinks that are richly pigmented. Alternatively, you can use a straw to redirect fluids away from your teeth, such as red wine or dark juices and sodas.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Worth the Cost?
Millions of patients across the country who have safely and quickly removed stubborn tooth stains and major discoloration would say yes! Not only is professional whitening made from significantly more powerful bleaching agents, but treatment is non-invasive, safe, and less likely to cause tooth sensitivity than ever. Decades of research have shown that those who have whiter teeth are considered younger and tend to find smiling easier, meaning you may be more likely to leave a positive first impression. For many, the confidence boost that comes with a whiter smile is worth the cost. Of course, our team is happy to discuss your needs with you directly to determine the best way to achieve your dream smile.