12 N Main St #101,
(860) 236-4249
Teeth Whitening – West Hartford, CT
Personalized Method for Brightening Your Pearly Whites
Do you sometimes find yourself wishing you could show off a brighter smile? This can be difficult to do if you’re struggling with stains or discoloration that’s accumulated over the years. Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for a grin you can’t feel proud of. At West Hartford Dental Group, we offer professional teeth whitening to effectively brighten your smile by several shades! This can be completed with either an in-office process or at-home whitening kits. In either case, you can expect to achieve your desired look in just a couple of weeks or a single visit. Keep reading to learn more about teeth whitening or give our team a call today to schedule your consultation.
Why Choose West Hartford Dental Group for Cosmetic Dentistry?
- Offers Both In-Office & At-Home Whitening Options
- Effective & Safe Dental Materials for Dazzling Results
- Provides In-Office Dental Plan & Accepts Flexible Financing
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Those struggling with tooth stains can benefit greatly from this treatment. The most common causes of dental discoloration include:
- Dark-colored foods and drinks
- Tobacco products
- Poor oral hygiene
- Sugary and acidic treats/foods
- Genetics
- Certain medications
- Age
While some causes are preventable, others may be out of your control. By visiting our team, we can determine if your stains are extrinsic or intrinsic—the former being surface-level discoloration while the latter is deep within the tooth and might not be resolved with at-home remedies.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our practice offers two kinds of teeth whitening treatments to help you create your dream smile. Here’s what you can expect from each.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Patients who would prefer to brighten their smiles in the comfort of their homes might consider using a take-home whitening kit for their treatment. Of course, we’ll first evaluate your teeth to make sure there aren’t any underlying issues that could complicate the process, such as cavities, decay, or gum disease. Once any problems have been resolved, we can provide you with personalized whitening trays along with special bleaching gel. After two weeks of using the kit, you should expect noticeable results!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you’re on a tight schedule or want results in a quicker timeframe, then in-office teeth whitening is likely your best solution. In just a single appointment, we can apply powerful whitening gel on your teeth and then use a special UV light to blast away discoloration. Afterward, you’ll be free to leave our office with a much brighter smile.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
One of the best things about professional teeth whitening treatment is that your results can typically last much longer than over-the-counter or store-bought products. Still, you can make the most of your newly brightened pearly whites by implementing the following measures:
- Brush twice a day and floss regularly
- Avoid tobacco products
- Minimize consumption of dark-colored drinks/foods
- Visit your dentist for checkups and cleanings every six months
- Consider touch-up treatments
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Most dental insurance policies don’t include treatments intended to improve your appearance more than your dental health, like teeth whitening. As a result, many patients want to know in advance what they can expect to pay for their brighter smile.
The total depends significantly on your unique circumstances, and our West Hartford Dental Group team is happy to provide an estimate after your initial consultation. Continue reading to learn more about how the cost is calculated, and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening products usually have a set pricing structure, several factors can influence the number of treatments needed to achieve the desired hue, which affects the total amount due.
For instance, the total cost can be influenced by:
- The types of stains. Extrinsic stains in your enamel respond to topical treatments more readily than deeply seated intrinsic blemishes in the lower layers of dentin.
- The severity of your condition. Teeth that are slightly off-white will likely need fewer repetitions than someone whose smile is more brown or yellow.
- Other necessary procedures. If we find signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or injuries, we’ll work with you to treat those first. You’ll be responsible for paying the cost of any additional services required.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Their Cost
There are several ways to lighten your enamel to boost your confidence, each with its own associated rates. Continue reading below for a brief outline of what you might expect to pay for the various methods:
- In-office teeth whitening. Our team can brighten your smile by up to eight shades in a single in-office visit, usually for $400 to $800+, depending on your unique situation.
- Professional take-home whitening kits. We can also provide a kit with everything you need for an ideal outcome from home, including ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted trays, often for a few hundred dollars.
- Over the counter trays. Many stores sell commercial brand one-size-fits-all whitening trays for about $100 or less.
- Store-bought strips. You can often purchase boxes of whitening strips at your local store or pharmacy for about $20 to $40.
Commercial-Grade vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s natural to wonder why you should invest in more expensive professional teeth whitening services when there are cheaper options available. However, when it comes to dental cosmetics, the quality of the product or result is often reflected in the price. Although you might pay less for store-bought whiteners, they often contain diluted bleaching agents that are less effective. Unfortunately, many patients have accidentally over-applied or misused these products in their attempt to see results, which can cause tooth sensitivity.
Meanwhile, our team uses ultra-concentrated solutions that are designed to reduce potential discomfort. You might pay more, but our in-office procedures produce instant results, so you leave with an already upgraded grin. Plus, our take-home kits contain the same top-quality bleaches along with fitted applicator trays to reduce error so you can achieve your ideal shade in just a couple of weeks.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Many people worry that they can’t afford to have their teeth professionally whitened, but we believe everyone deserves to feel good about the quality of their smile regardless of their finances. If you’re concerned about your budget, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- In-office discount plan. For a low monthly or annual fee, you gain access to preventive services and an additional 15% discount on other treatments when paid in full.
- 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.
- Special offers. We periodically offer promotions on specific services for a limited time to help minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Visit our website for updates!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Have you heard stories from people who developed tender teeth after applying too much whitening product? If so, you might fear that professional services with your dentist might cause pain, but thankfully, that’s not the case.
Applying too much bleach to your teeth can cause tenderness, especially if you have a sensitivity to the active whitening agent. However, spacing out your treatment applications appropriately and avoiding overly hot or cold drinks can help avoid triggering the unpleasant sensation.
How Is Professional Teeth Whitening Different from Store-Bought Options?
Many commercially available products claim to be able to lighten your enamel, but they aren’t usually as effective or comfortable as the professional-grade options our team provides. Store-bought whiteners often contain diluted bleaching agents that don’t provide the desired outcome. Plus, they rely on one-size-fits-all trays or strips that lead to plenty of errors in application, which can cause sensitive enamel or connective tissues.
Meanwhile, our West Hartford Dental Group team uses ultra-concentrated gels that are designed to mitigate potential discomfort. Furthermore, we’ll examine your mouth before starting your procedure to ensure no pre-existing problems, like cavities or gum disease, cause painful or adverse reactions.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Anyone who isn’t 100% satisfied with the color of their grin when they see it in the mirror can benefit from our in-office or take-home whitening solutions. However, that doesn’t mean these topical treatments are the best way to address your dental discoloration.
There are different types of stains, and not all of them respond well to bleach. Extrinsic stains on your enamel that result from repeated or prolonged exposure to darkly pigmented foods like tea, coffee, and berries tend to respond well to bleach. If the blemishes start or seep into the lower layers of dentin, though, you might require other cosmetic services, like porcelain veneers or direct bonding, to mask the imperfections.
How Can I Preserve My Teeth Whitening Results?
You can usually expect the results of professional teeth whitening to last anywhere from six months to three years, but it depends significantly on your unique circumstances. You can preserve your recent enhancement by:
- Following a routine. You should brush and floss twice daily to remove plaque that gives tinted ingredients something to cling to.
- Watching what you eat. Avoid common culprits known to cause stains to avoid further pigmentation.
- Stop smoking. Vapes, cigarettes, and other tobacco products contain nicotine and tar, which are known to cause discoloration, cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer.
- Schedule follow-ups. You might need occasional touch-ups to maintain just-the-right hue, and you should see us every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning to prevent problems.