Teeth Whitening – Columbia, MO
Helping You Achieve a Brighter Smile
Does your smile seem duller than it used to be? It can be all too easy for stains and discolored spots to appear on your teeth even if you’re practicing excellent oral hygiene. The good news is that Dr. Batson and Dr. Abe can put you on the path toward a brighter grin with KöR® teeth whitening treatments. If you’re interested in having teeth whitening performed, give us a call today to learn more.
Why Choose Columbia Healthy Smiles for Teeth Whitening?
- Customized KöR® Take-Home Whitening Kits
- In-Office Whitening Treatments
- Open and Honest Dental Team
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.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does teeth whitening hurt?
Many prospective cosmetic dental patients are hesitant to commit to treatments because they are not sure if they will hurt or not. At Columbia Healthy Smiles, we offer professional teeth whitening treatments that are customized to fit each patient, which minimizes the risk of dental damage and soft tissue injuries. If your teeth are especially prone to sensitivity, let our staff know so we can plan your treatment accordingly. While you may experience a temporary tingly feeling in your teeth that some may find slightly uncomfortable, this should fade quickly over several days, and you can help prevent it by avoiding hot beverages, using a desensitizing toothpaste, or waiting a while between whitening retreatments.
What’s the difference between professional and store-bought teeth whitening?
With teeth whitening as with everything else, you can expect to get what you pay for. While professional and store-bought whitening treatments are designed to remove unsightly stains and discoloration, there is a steep difference in quality between them. Over-the-counter whitening kits come with “one-size-fits-all” dental trays that may lead to uneven results or gum injuries due to an improper fit, and many patients using store-bought products find that they only produce lackluster results if any. Professional whitening treatments at our office begin with a consultation so our dentist can make sure that you can receive the treatment safely, and they use high-quality whitening agents and customized dental trays to safely achieve remarkable results in brief timeframes.
How can I make my teeth whitening results last?
The results of a professional teeth whitening treatment can last anywhere from several months to several years depending on how well the patient takes care of their teeth afterward. The most important way to preserve your whitening results is to practice excellent oral hygiene at home by brushing twice and flossing once daily and using antibacterial mouthwash. It’s also crucial to keep up with your biannual dental checkups at our office so we can thoroughly clean your mouth and address problems in their early stages. It’s a great idea to limit your consumption of dark foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and soy and barbeque sauces. If you are a big fan of dark beverages, you can limit your smiles’ exposure to them by drinking your coffee, tea, or cola through a straw. Smoking is an excellent way to create new stains in your smile, so quitting this nasty habit is a great way to keep your grin bright.
Am I a teeth whitening candidate?
If stubborn dental stains and discoloration are making it hard for you to smile proudly, you can probably be an excellent candidate for teeth whitening. The best way to find out if you qualify for the treatment is to schedule a consultation at our Columbia office so our cosmetic dentist can evaluate your oral health and discuss your goals for the procedure. If you have oral infections like tooth decay or gum disease, we will have to perform restorative or periodontal treatments to get your mouth in good health before you can receive the treatment. Once your teeth are in good shape, we’ll be ready to brighten your grin.