Teeth Whitening – Columbia, MO

Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

There are a few different factors that we’ll need to consider before deciding whether teeth whitening is right for you. For one thing, we will have to determine what is causing the discoloration on your teeth in order to confirm that whitening is a viable option. On top of that, we’ll have to make sure that your teeth and gums are in good shape overall; sometimes restorative dentistry might be needed to address your current oral health issues before teeth whitening can be performed.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Our office provides KöR® in-office whitening treatments as well as KöR® take-home whitening kits. (KöR® whitening strips for travel purposes are also available.) Here’s a brief look at your main options for teeth whitening:

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

A KöR® take-home teeth whitening kit comes with professional-grade whitening gel and personalized trays. Using the kit is simple; all you need to do is fill the trays with the gel, then wear them for about 30 to 60 minutes a day (or however long our team recommends). Just two weeks of using the kit can make a big difference for the appearance of your smile!

In-Office Teeth Whitening

A KöR® in-office whitening treatment is a very simple procedure. We will apply a powerful bleaching gel to your teeth and activate it with a special light. The ingredients in the gel will help remove extrinsic and intrinsic stains from your teeth, thus significantly brightening your grin in about an hour.   

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

Are you happy with the way your newly whitened smile looks? If so, it’s up to you to take the initiative in maintaining the results! Keeping up the right habits can go a long way toward helping the results of whitening last longer. Here are some of the things you can do to keep your smile looking its best after a teeth whitening treatment:

• Try to stay away from soda, coffee, red wine, soy sauce, and anything else that can leave stains on teeth.
• Keep your teeth clean by brushing at least two times a day. You should also make flossing a daily habit.
• Visit your dentist twice a year for routine dental checkups and cleanings.
• Have touchups performed on a regular basis.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatment from Columbia Healthy Smiles can deliver magnificent results in brief timeframes, but it’s understandable that you’d want to know how much the procedure costs before you commit to it. The overall price of your treatment will depend on several factors, and our staff will be able to give you a proper cost estimate during your consultation. Here’s a brief guide to how teeth whitening treatment is priced so you can get an idea of what you can expect to pay.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

While teeth whitening treatments typically go for one set price, certain circumstances can make multiple treatments necessary to achieve the desired result. A few factors that determine the overall cost of teeth whitening include:

• The severity of the stains and/or discoloration.
• The nature of the stains and/or discoloration. For example, some stains are located on the surface of the tooth while others are located beneath the enamel.
• The need for preliminary procedures like fillings or dental crowns.

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

There are several teeth whitening options available, and they can vary dramatically in cost. A few popular whitening treatments include:

• In-office teeth whitening generally costs somewhere between $400 and $800, but it may cost as much as $1,000 under rare circumstances.
• Take-home whitening kits from a dentist usually cost a few hundred dollars.
• Store-bought whitening trays generally cost $100 or less.
• Whitening strips and gels are the cheapest option by far, and they can be found at many stores and pharmacies. A two-week supply of strips typically costs between $20 and $40.

Cheap Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening

While the cheaper teeth whitening options may seem tempting, the truth is that professional treatments from your dentist deliver remarkable results that are well worth the investment. Many people who use store-bought teeth whitening products find that they deliver lackluster results at best, and some of them even experience injuries due to poor manufacturing or user error. Professional whitening treatments, on the other hand, are designed to brighten tooth enamel by multiple shades in brief timeframes. In fact, an in-office whitening procedure typically takes about an hour, and professional take-home kits can typically be completed in about two weeks. In either case, your teeth will be up to eight shades whiter.

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Since teeth whitening is an elective cosmetic procedure, it isn’t typically covered by dental insurance. However, we partner with Cherry and CareCredit to offer patients flexible financing options with little to no interest, which can make teeth whitening much more affordable by breaking your bill into monthly installments that can be easily managed. We’ll be more than happy to help you navigate your payment and financing options when you’re in our office for your consultation.