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 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 from 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
At Meadowbrook Dentistry, we realize that, when you are considering options to brighten your teeth, the cost of treatment is a legitimate concern. Let us answer any of your questions about the cost during your consultation. We can talk about the various choices available to you and weigh the pros and cons of each until together we find a solution that will end in a brighter, more brilliant smile! Until then, here is some information to think about in terms of the cost.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although the price of the procedure itself is one price for everyone, your overall treatment plan could vary in price depending on several factors:
- How many treatments you need based on the severity of the stains and discoloration
- The location of the discoloration (i.e., on the enamel surface or inside the tooth)
- The cause of the discoloration (e.g., age related, side effect of medications)
- What, if any, other treatments (e.g., crowns, veneers) you are receiving first
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Overall, there are four types of teeth whitening available to you, detailed below. When you come to our office for your consultation, we can talk about your goals, needs, and budget. Together we can determine which option is the best choice for your smile.
- In-office teeth whitening typically costs the most, usually between $400 and $800, but the specific amount may vary.
- Take-home whitening kits come with custom-fit trays are priced at a few hundred dollars.
Meanwhile, over-the-counter whitening trays are usually under $100. However, these are not fitted to your unique mouth and smile, sometimes resulting in uneven whitening. If you are focused exclusively on the cost, you can purchase teeth whitening strips or gels at most stores and pharmacies for $20 to $40 per box.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Looking only at the hard numbers, professional-grade whitening can seem like a bad deal, but the truth is that you get what you pay for in the results. Although cheaper options cost less, the whitening solution is much weaker, and it takes significantly longer to notice a difference. Especially if you have severe discoloration, professional whitening can provide results in as little as one appointment that would otherwise take months with commercial whitening products. Before you decide on a treatment, carefully consider how quickly and effectively you want to see brighter teeth—not just the price tag.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Unfortunately, teeth whitening is considered an elective procedure, which means that traditional insurance doesn’t cover this treatment. However, if you are a member of our Discount Plan, one of the perks is getting Zoom whitening for $325!
We also assist patients who are interested in financing whitening treatment so that the total is paid off in smaller amounts every month. Many find that this makes the cosmetic procedure easier to fit in any budget.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry out there today, and for good reason. Not only is it quick, effective, and long-lasting, but it can be the subtle enhancement you’re looking for to feel comfortable showing off your smile with confidence. You’re always welcome to ask us questions directly, but we’ve included answers below to some of the most common questions we’ve heard over the years for your convenience.
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 are able to 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 you’re 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 has 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.