Teeth Whitening – Billerica, MA
Leave Home with a Brighter Smile
At Grateful Dentists, we reignite the inner rocker in you by not only helping keep your oral health on the right track, but by also offering cost-effective, professional take-home teeth whitening in Billerica. With a brighter smile, you’ll be able to beam with confidence no matter where you are, whether you’ve got front row seats to your favorite concert or one of the most important job interviews in your life. Call our office today to pick up your customized Opalescence Go take-home teeth whitening kit.
Why Choose Grateful Dentists for Teeth Whitening?
- Whiten Your Smile from the Comfort of Home
- Comprehensive Dentistry Under One Roof
- Laid-Back, Experienced Dentists & Team
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Dental discoloration can happen for a variety of reasons, some preventable, like drinking stain-causing beverages like red wine and coffee every day, and some inevitable, like due to genetics. Our professional take-home teeth whitening kits have the ability to tackle deep-seated stains and surface stains of all kinds. However, we typically don’t recommend teeth whitening for those who have untreated gum disease, cavities, or highly sensitive teeth due to worn enamel. If you would like to learn whether you’re a good candidate for treatment, give our office a call today.
How Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Work?
Opalescence Go is a leading brand of teeth whitening kit that’s certified gluten free and utilizes professional-grade hydrogen peroxide, fluoride, and potassium nitrate whitening gel for comfortable, safe, and highly effective results. No impressions are required for the pre-filled whitening trays, reducing any time you need to spend in our office and making utilizing the trays easy and fast.
We have two different types of strengths, including 15% hydrogen peroxide, which are worn for 15 to 20 minutes for between five and ten days, and 10% hydrogen peroxide, which are worn for 30 to 60 minutes for the same time period. All you need to do is unwrap the trays, put them in your mouth, and pop on your favorite show or podcast while your teeth are whitening.
Tips for Maintaining a Brighter Smile
Following your treatment, you’ll want to take some precautions to make sure your beautiful brighter smile remains that way. While we typically recommend getting touch-ups every six months or so, the more conscientious you are of preserving your results, the longer you’ll be able to enjoy them. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your teeth whitening treatment:
- Avoid bad oral habits like smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Steer clear of stain-causing beverages like red wine and coffee.
- Avoid eating foods that are tomato-based or can stain your teeth, like balsamic vinegar.
- Maintain a good at-home dental hygiene routine by brushing twice a day for two minutes, flossing daily, and rinsing with antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Visit your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment that most dental insurance companies don’t cover because it’s intended to enhance your appearance more than improve your oral health. As a result, many patients have questions about what they might pay to upgrade their grins.
Our Grateful Dentists team in Billerica is happy to provide a detailed estimate once you’ve completed your initial consultation appointment. Continue reading to learn more about how the cost is determined, and feel free to contact us with additional questions!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening typically has a set price, certain factors can impact how many treatments you’ll need to achieve the desired shade, including:
- Whether other procedures are required. We’re happy to boost your confidence by improving your looks, but not at the cost of your oral health. We’ll ensure no issues like gum disease or cavities interfere, though you’ll be responsible for paying for additional treatments.
- The type of dental discoloration. There are multiple types of stains and not all of them respond as well to topical treatments. For instance, extrinsic blemishes in your enamel can usually be bleached away, but intrinsic discoloration in the lower layers of dentin might require other cosmetics.
- The severity of your condition. Those with more darkly pigmented teeth are more likely to require multiple repetitions to meet their goals than those whose grins are merely off-white.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Their Cost
There are several ways to brighten your smile, and each comes with its own associated pricing. We’ve outlined several popular options below to give you an idea of what to expect:
- In-office teeth whitening. Many dentists offer in-office procedures that can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in a single visit for anywhere from $400 to $1,000+, depending on your circumstances.
- Take-home whitening kits. Often for a few hundred dollars, our team provides professional-grade gels and custom-fitted trays for top-quality results from the comfort of your living room.
- Over-the-counter trays. It’s possible to purchase one-size-fits-all whitening trays for $100 or less.
- Store-bought products. Many stores and pharmacies carry boxes of whitening gel or strips for about $20 to $40.
Commercial-Grade vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s natural to wonder whether it’s worth investing in professional whitening with our team when there are less expensive methods available. However, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality is often reflected in the price.
For instance, many over-the-counter products contain diluted bleaching agents that don’t achieve the intended outcome. Plus, the one-size-fits-all trays can lead to application errors that cause sensitivity in your teeth or gums.
Meanwhile, our dentists provide take-home kits with ultra-concentrated gels intended to mitigate potential discomfort. They also include custom-fitted trays for more accurate results within as few as two weeks!
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Addressing your dental discoloration can boost your confidence to improve your daily quality of life, and we don’t want your budget to hold you back from looking and feeling like the best version of yourself. As a result, we happily offer the following options to help you cover the cost of your cosmetics:
- Grateful Dentists Loyalty Program. For a low annual fee, you gain access to basic preventive care, imaging, and an additional 13% discount on all services offered in the office.
- Flexible Financing. We’ve partnered with CareCredit so that you can divvy your total invoice into more manageable installments over a designated period if your application is approved.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
If you are currently deciding between a take-home whitening treatment with us and a store-bought kit, you might be wondering if the former is really worth the investment. The short answer is “yes!” After all, our treatments use professional-grade hydrogen peroxide, fluoride, and potassium nitrate whitening gel, which is not the case for over-the-counter products.
It’s also worth mentioning that we complete a comprehensive oral exam beforehand to ensure your teeth and gums are decay and infection-free. This ensures the final result is a smile that’s as healthy as it is beautiful with our products. Store-bought alternatives, on the other hand, underdeliver time and time again.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Since professional teeth whitening treatments are incredibly effective, patients often see improvements after just one use and the full results in two weeks. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should wait until a week or two before a special event to schedule a consultation. Remember, we may need to provide preliminary care, like a tooth-colored filling, and it may take two rounds of teeth whitening to achieve the results you desire. So, if you are interested in lifting stubborn stains, don’t wait until the last minute to begin the treatment process!
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Teeth Whitening?
If you want to whiten your teeth, but you’re not quite sure if the cost will fit into your budget, don’t hesitate to let us know! Once we know a little more about your smile goals, we can discuss the financial solutions available. Our membership plan, for example, comes with a 13% discount on all services completed at our office. CareCredit flexible financing, on the other hand, allows patients to break up the cost of their care into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, your teeth won’t stay brilliantly white forever. That said, there are a few ways you can prolong the results, starting with brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of dark-colored foods and sauces, like blackberries, tomato soup, mustard, and BBQ sauce.
Tip: If you start to notice that your pearly whites are no longer living up to their name, get in touch with our cosmetic dentist in Billerica so they can provide you with a touch-up brightening treatment!
Can I Drink Coffee After Whitening My Teeth?
Immediately following your teeth whitening treatment, it’s important to avoid dark-colored foods and beverages, including coffee. Even after you get the green light, make sure to use a straw to prevent the liquid from coming in contact with your teeth. Then, when you’re done enjoying your cup, rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water and brush your teeth about 20 minutes after that.