Teeth Whitening – Brookfield, WI
Helping Your Smile Shine Bright!
As you live your life, the odds are that your teeth will sometimes get stained or discolored. It’s only natural – smiles darken from all sorts of everyday causes and factors. That said, there’s no need to worry; you can always fix things with our teeth whitening in Brookfield! This treatment from Dr. Muddana would quickly brighten your grin, making it much more eye-pleasing. Learn more about it by reading below, or book a consultation in the coming days.
Why Choose Bright Smiles Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Dentist with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- Convenient At-Home Whitening Options
- CareCredit Financing Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Nearly any adult can qualify for teeth whitening, as the treatment only requires good oral health. Just remember that it often benefits some patients more than others. Given this fact, you should confirm whether you have the right traits to maximize whitening’s effects.
The best whitening candidates generally have extrinsic stains. Since these kinds occur when outside factors (foods, drinks, etc.) discolor your enamel, treatment can remove them with bleaching gel. In contrast, teeth whitening isn’t great for intrinsic stains; it can’t remove any marks beneath your enamel.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At your consultation, Dr. Muddana will assess your smile (and its stains) through an oral exam. This step lets her see whether teeth whitening suits you. After reviewing her findings, she’ll then suggest treatment options like the following:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Our office’s take-home teeth whitening consists of custom trays and Opalescence bleaching gel. As such, it requires that you wear gel-filled trays for a set amount of time every day. This method takes roughly two weeks to make your grin notably brighter, though the upside is that it can be done from the comfort of your home.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
With in-office teeth whitening, a patient receives their treatment at our practice. One of our own dental team members will apply the bleaching gel directly onto your smile. As a result, the procedure only takes an hour instead of several weeks. That means it quickly makes your smile much brighter without an extended waiting period.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
While teeth whitening results aren’t permanent, you can take steps to help them last. You just need to use the following tips:
- Keep Your Smile Clean – To keep plaque from staining your smile, remember to brush twice daily and floss at least once daily. You should also attend regular dental checkups and cleanings.
- Avoid Stain Agents – By avoiding foods and drinks with tannins (i.e., stain agents), you’ll reduce your risk of a discolored smile. Examples include coffee, berries, red wine, tomato sauce, etc.
- Eat More Dairy – Many dairy products are calcium-rich and don’t use food dyes, so eating them would preserve your treatment results.
- Get a Follow-Up – If you notice your whitening results are fading, get a follow-up treatment from your dentist.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a great way to enhance the natural beauty of your smile. However, many people put off treatment because they are worried about how much it will cost. Since everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, the cost can vary. During your consultation with us, we will discuss the exact cost of your treatment so you don’t run into any surprises. Until then, here are some things to take into account.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of professional teeth whitening varies on multiple factors. Here are some of the most prominent ones.
- Types of Discoloration: Intrinsic stains are more difficult to lift than extrinsic stains, so they might require other treatments.
- Severity of Discoloration: If your teeth have very dark stains, they might need additional whitening sessions to achieve your goals.
- Other Services: If you have existing dental problems, like gum disease or tooth decay, they will need to be treated and eliminated ahead of time.
Type of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are multiple teeth whitening options available. Here’s what the cost of each one typically looks like.
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: In-office teeth whitening ranges from $400 to $800. In some areas, it can be over $1000.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening: Professional take-home whitening kits usually cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays: Teeth whitening trays that you find over the counter are usually $100 or less.
- Over-the-Counter Strips/Gels: This is the cheapest teeth whitening option available. These boxes cost between $20 and $40 and contain enough product to last a couple of weeks.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
When you look at the numbers above, you may be wondering why anyone would choose professional teeth whitening when over-the-counter options are more affordable. With cosmetic dentistry, the results that you achieve are clearly reflected in the cost of the treatment that you get. If you choose cheaper strips or gels, you won’t see significant results – especially for darker discoloration. Professional teeth whitening treatments give you noticeable results in a fraction of the time. When you choose your treatment, it is important to consider the results that you are looking for and how long you are willing to wait.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is not covered but dental insurance because it is an elective procedure. However, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck. Currently, we have a special for teeth whitening! We are also happy to accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, let us know!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
The team at Bright Smiles Dentistry understands that many patients are hesitant to commit to dental treatments because they are afraid they will hurt, and we’ll do everything possible to ensure that you enjoy a smooth and comfortable experience whenever you visit our office. Our professional teeth whitening treatments are completely painless without anesthesia, and you will be much less likely to develop dental sensitivity afterward because we use completely customized parts to ensure your comfort. If you are especially prone to dental sensitivity, please let us know before your treatment so we can plan it accordingly. You can reduce your likelihood of experiencing sensitivity by waiting longer between retreatments, avoiding hot beverages for a few days after your procedure, and using desensitizing toothpaste if necessary.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of teeth whitening treatment from our Brookfield office can last between several months and several years depending on how well you take care of your smile. Your teeth will be especially vulnerable to new stains for a few days after your treatment, so it will be best to avoid discoloring foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, colorful candies, and dark sauces while your smile is recovering. The best way to preserve your whitening results in the long run is to practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every day and using antibacterial mouthwash regularly. It’s also important to visit our office every six months for routine exams and cleanings so we can monitor your oral health and address issues in their early stages. Smoking and other forms of tobacco use can leave teeth with unsightly nicotine stains, so it’s best to kick these habits.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you aren’t completely satisfied with the color of your smile, you may be an excellent candidate for teeth whitening. This process is noninvasive and painless, so it can be a great treatment for virtually anyone, but the only way to find out for sure if you qualify is to schedule a consultation at our Brookfield office. During this appointment, Dr. Muddana or Chanana will evaluate your oral health to make sure you can receive the procedure safely and discuss your goals and preferences for the treatment. While oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease can disqualify you from the treatment initially, we can usually address these issues with restorative treatments so you can receive teeth whitening later.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Teeth whitening is not permanent and can last for a few months to several years depending on how well you care for your teeth. The best ways to preserve your results are to practice excellent oral hygiene, avoid stain-causing foods and beverages, and see us every six months for routine exams and cleanings. We can also perform touch-up treatments as needed to keep your teeth shiny and bright.