(931) 388-4315Teeth Whitening in Columbia
Brightens Your Confidence
Want to rejuvenate the appearance of your smile? Your dentist in Columbia, TN can help you take the years off your teeth with professional teeth whitening. Dr. Goodman offers both in-office whitening and take-home whitening for a brighter, more beautiful smile in just about 14 days!
Why Teeth Darken With Time
Your teeth don’t look as bright as they once did, but why? Our teeth are naturally bright because the enamel, or the outer layer, is made of white calcium. Of course, some people are just born with brighter teeth than others. The shade of the teeth typically matches the whites of the eyes.
Over time, however, frequent exposure to dark foods and beverages gradually darkens the smile. Combine black coffee, red wine, and other highly pigmented items with less-than-perfect dental hygiene, and your smile is likely to lose its luster rather quickly.
While you can take certain preventive measures to keep your teeth whiter for longer, there is no way to absolutely prevent them from darkening with time. Nothing ages your overall appearance like a dingy smile. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening helps you regain your white smile safely and quickly.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
With a custom-fitted professional teeth whitening treatment, you can enjoy brighter teeth in just about two weeks. Unlike white strips and other treatments you find at the pharmacy, a professional treatment is created specifically for your mouth. That means it fits perfectly, holding the whitening gel right up against the tooth enamel for maximum whitening.
To begin, you will visit our office for the creation of your custom trays. You can begin treatment as soon as you receive your personalized trays. Simply fill each tray with the high-powered bleaching gel and wear for the prescribed amount of time -- usually about half an hour each evening or in the morning. You will begin to notice whiter teeth after the very first treatment, but you should complete the system to reveal the brightest results.
Maintaining Results after Teeth Whitening
It goes without saying that you will want to keep your teeth white for as long as possible after completing your whitening treatment. People who maintain good habits and excellent dental hygiene are likely to enjoy their bright smiles for many years to come. Some patients don’t ever feel the need to repeat teeth whitening.
Keep your teeth whiter for longer by avoiding the things that caused them to stain in the first place, like red wine, black coffee, tobacco, and poor dental hygiene. Taking a sip of water between drinks of dark beverages can help to reduce staining. Likewise, eating crusty bread or crunchy vegetables along with red wine and dark beer can naturally scrub away the agents that cause stains. Keep up with your six month visits to the dentist to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar for a smile that’s as healthy as it is beautiful!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is an excellent way to lighten up your smile, and it is one of the more affordable cosmetic solutions. However, it is important to consider how much your treatment is going to cost ahead of time. No one wants to see unnecessary surprises on their bill! Here are some things to keep in mind before you undergo teeth whitening.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is usually one set price, but there are a few different factors that can affect how many treatments you will need before you achieve your desired results. Here are a few of the more prominent ones:
- Severity of Discoloration
- Type of Discoloration (Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic)
- Other Treatments Needed Beforehand
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are a variety of different teeth whitening options available, and they are all at different price points. Here is what you can usually expect to pay:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: This will usually cost somewhere between $300 and $800. In some cases, it can cost upwards of $1000.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening: For professional take-home whitening kits, the cost is usually a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays: Teeth whitening trays that you can find over the counter are less than $100.
- Over-the-Counter Strips/Gels: This is generally the most affordable option out there. These boxes cost between $20 and $40 on average and contain enough to last up to two weeks.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is not covered by dental insurance because it is an elective treatment. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be left to pay the entire bill all at once. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. For more information on your financial options, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our friendly team members.
To find out exactly how much you can expect to pay for teeth whitening, schedule an appointment with us. We are eager to help you achieve a brighter smile!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Whether you’ve never had your teeth professionally whitened before or it’s been a long time since your last treatment, you may have a few questions on your mind about the process. Luckily, we’re here to help! While we’re always just a phone call away, we know that some patients value being able to do some research online first. For that reason, we’ve also responded to some frequently asked questions about teeth whitening below.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Since the advertisements behind store-bought teeth whitening products say they are as effective as professional treatments, it’s a fair question! The reality is that there are several key differences between the two stain-erasing solutions. To begin, over-the-counter solutions use one-size-fits-all applicators and diluted whitening agents. Furthermore, they don’t take into account existing conditions, like tooth decay, which can be problematic. Professional treatments, on the other hand, are customized entirely to the patient’s dental needs and smile goals, leading to reliable and beautiful results.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you’re unhappy with the shade of your teeth, then there is a good chance that you’re a candidate for teeth whitening! With that being said, the best way to find out is by scheduling a consultation with our Columbia cosmetic dentist, Dr. Goodman. Once he has a better understanding of the source of your discoloration, how severe it is, and the state of your oral health, he will be able to determine if teeth whitening is the best solution for you. Even if it isn’t, he will work with you to create a custom treatment plan that will give you the bright, gorgeous smile you desire!
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
That depends on a few factors, like the results you’re hoping to achieve! If you want to address minor discoloration, a take-home teeth whitening treatment may yield results in just a week or two. If, however, the staining is more severe and you need multiple treatments, then the process might take a bit longer. So, if you are trying to brighten your smile before a special event, like a wedding or job interview, make sure to let us know so we can keep that timeline in mind.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the results from your teeth whitening treatment will not be permanent. With the right best practices in place, however, you can prolong your bright, white smile for as long as possible. Brushing your teeth after each meal, not smoking, visiting your dentist every six months for a cleaning, and getting touch-up treatments as needed are great places to start!
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Get started with professional teeth whitening and you can enjoy a brighter smile in two weeks or less. Contact the “dentist near me” in Columbia -- schedule an appointment with Dr. Goodman today!