Teeth Whitening – Long Beach, NY
Achieve Dramatically Brighter Teeth
Is your smile looking dull as of late? It is perfectly natural for teeth to become discolored over time, but this is still something that many people are self-conscious about. The good news is that at Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, we offer in-office and take-home teeth whitening to lift surface stains so you can achieve dramatically whiter teeth within a short timeframe. To schedule your professional teeth whitening or to learn more about the treatment, give us a call!
Why Choose Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth for Teeth Whitening?
- Quality, Safe Whitening Ingredients
- In-Office and Take-Home Options
- Saturday Appointments Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There are quite a few ways that teeth can become discolored. Here are some of the most common reasons behind it:
- Dark-colored foods and beverages
- Using tobacco products
- Sugary and acidic foods
- Aging
- Poor oral hygiene
- Genetics
- Medications
Some types of tooth discoloration can be easily prevented, but others are completely out of your control. There are two main types of discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the teeth and are typically caused by foods, beverages, and tobacco products. Intrinsic stains are a result of medications, so this is something that you should discuss with your doctor if it is a concern.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Two different types of teeth whitening are available:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking to lift discoloration from the comfort of your own home, take-home teeth whitening kits are available. First, we will check your smile for existing oral health issues. Next, you will get customized trays and a whitening gel that is more effective that anything you can find in stores. After just a couple of weeks of wearing these trays for a set amount of time every day, you’ll see beautiful results!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
For patients who are eager for faster results, in-office teeth whitening can be completed in-office. If you have a wedding coming up or want to look your best for an upcoming vacation, this may be a better option for you. In just one appointment, you can leave our practice with a smile that’s several shades brighter than it was before!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The results of teeth whitening will last much longer if you take the time to maintain them. Here are some tips to help you keep your smile looking great:
- Keep up excellent dental hygiene. This means brushing twice and flossing once daily.
- Limit your consumption of dark-colored beverages.
- Avoid using tobacco products.
- Attend regular cleanings and checkups every six months.
- See us for touch-up treatments as needed.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
By now, you may think teeth whitening could help your smile. After all, it’s great at removing many tooth stains! However, you may fear the cost of teeth whitening is too high. A procedure that exceeds your budget wouldn’t be feasible. Still, whitening’s price actually varies by patient. You’ll need to consult our team for an exact treatment estimate. Whatever the expense, though, Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth will ensure affordable care. Just keep reading or call us for details to learn how that would work!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
General teeth whitening usually has one set price. That said, some factors influence how many treatments you’ll need to reach desired results. Among them, the most common include the following:
- Discoloration Degree – You may need multiple whitening sessions if your tooth stains are rather dark and severe. In that case, the associated cost will rise.
- Discoloration Type – Whitening can quickly fix extrinsic stains from meals but isn’t as effective for intrinsic stains. In the latter case, you may need other cosmetic services that increase your expense.
- Preliminary Work – Before whitening occurs, a patient may need preliminary procedures like fillings or crowns. Of course, getting these services will raise your treatment’s price.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
The price of whitening is also influenced by the treatment method. In general, the four typical ones are:
- In-office Whitening – Per its name, in-office teeth whitening is done by a dentist at their practice. Its price usually ranges from $400 to $800, though it can reach $1,000 or more in rare cases.
- Take-Home Whitening – As offered by professional dentists, take-home whitening kits include custom-fit trays and special bleaching gel. You can expect them to cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays – Since they’re once-size-fits-all, over-the-counter trays are priced at $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips – The cheapest option by far, teeth whitening strips or gels can be found at most supermarkets and pharmacies. They generally cost $20-$40 per box, with each container having enough strips for up to two weeks of treatment.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. OTC Teeth Whitening
Given the numbers above, perhaps you’re confused by professional whitening being the more popular option. Shouldn’t the less expensive choice – store-bought whiteners – have higher public approval?
Well, try to remember that “you get what you pay for.” Whitening’s cost, in other words, reflects the quality of service. Store-bought strips and gels, while cheap, offer little-to-no results. On the other hand, professional whiteners lighten enamel quickly and noticeably. In just one dental visit, they can whiten your smile by six to eight shades!
So, then, keep your ideal results in mind when choosing your whitening option. It isn’t only price that merits consideration, but also speed and effect.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Unfortunately, most dental plans don’t cover teeth whitening. The treatment is considered purely cosmetic and thus “medically unnecessary.” Even so, there are other options for making whitening budget-friendly. Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, for instance, offers things like:
- In-House Dental Plans – For a low annual (or monthly) fee, our savings plans can give you a 10% discount on all non-preventive dental work.
- Flexible Financing – Our practice works with CareCredit, a third-party service that lets patients pay for care in monthly installments. With this option, you could gradually cover the cost of whitening instead of all at once.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many patients avoid having cosmetic dentistry treatments because they are afraid of experiencing pain. Thankfully, because professional whitening is entirely customizable, you are much less likely to have tooth sensitivity than you might with an over-the-counter product.
If your teeth are prone to sensitivity, speak to Dr. Glen prior to your whitening. He may recommend spacing out your treatments to help give your teeth a chance to recover. Furthermore, taking additional steps like avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages and using a sensitive toothpaste can help reduce your risk of discomfort.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
While both professional and store-bought whitening treatments are designed to remove stains and reduce tooth discoloration, their similarities end there. OTC kits are made with a pre-measured amount of diluted active ingredients and one-size-fits-all trays. With professional whitening, Dr. Glen can customize your treatment’s strength to your individual smile goals.
Before scheduling your whitening, Dr. Glen will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums, taking note of any existing restorations as well as your present level of oral health. This makes your treatment much safer and more effective than OTC products and can help you achieve your desired results in as little as one appointment!
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Unfortunately, while teeth whitening itself is not permanent, the results can last for years with proper oral hygiene. To make the most of your results, be sure to maintain excellent care of your teeth and gums, attend your regular, semi-annual dental cleanings and exams, and avoid poor dental habits like smoking. You may also be eligible to purchase additional touch-up treatments to help prolong your results for as long as possible.
Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Dental Insurance?
Because teeth whitening is not considered medically necessary, most dental insurance plans will not cover it, however it cannot hurt to check your individual plan just in case! If you’d like assistance understanding your coverage, the team at Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth can help. We also offer three different in-house dental plans that provide a discount on certain services, so speak to our dental team if you’d like more information.