Teeth Whitening – Arlington, TX
Achieve a Shinier and More Beautiful Smile
Many people have frustrating dental stains and discoloration that do not respond to conventional oral hygiene methods, and this can make it incredibly difficult for someone to smile confidently. Thankfully, professional teeth whitening from Dr. Lim’s office can lift tough stains and brighten a smile by up to eight shades. Here’s a quick look at how these remarkable treatments work and who they can help from the friendly team at Impact Dentistry.
Why Choose Impact Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Experienced and Compassionate Cosmetic Dentist
- Achieve a Brighter, Stain-Free Smile
- Flexible Financing Options Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth often become stained due to frequent exposure to discoloring agents found in many popular foods and beverages like coffee, tea, cola, red wine, berries, candy, and richly colored sauces, but they can also lose their luster due to age, genetic conditions, and dental injuries. Stains can be extrinsic, meaning located on top of the enamel, or intrinsic, meaning located beneath the surface. Teeth whitening is safe, noninvasive, and painless without anesthesia, so it can be a great solution for virtually everyone who isn’t satisfied with the color of their smile.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
While you can find a variety of whitening products on the shelves of grocery stores and pharmacies, treatments from Dr. Lim’s office can reliably deliver amazing results that store-bought methods cannot match. We offer teeth whitening treatments in the forms of in-office procedures and customized take-home kits.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
These kits contain professional grade brightening gel and customized dental trays, and they allow patients to whiten their smiles at home and can be great ways to maintain the results of prior whitening treatments. The patient will only need to apply the whitening gel to their trays before wearing them over their teeth for an hour daily. With proper use, the patient can achieve a brighter smile in about two weeks.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our in-office teeth whitening treatments can deliver incredible results in about an hour, which makes them great for those anticipating special events like weddings and graduations. The process is an incredibly safe and effective way to achieve a stunning and beautiful smile.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The results of professional teeth whitening treatments from our Arlington office can last for several years with excellent care. To keep your smile bright, remember the following tips:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash daily.
- Visit our office twice a year for routine exams and cleanings.
- Enjoy plenty of white dairy products to keep your smile strong and bright.
- Avoid foods and beverages that are high in stain-causing pigments, dyes, and tannins.
- Refrain from tobacco and excessive alcohol use.
- Receive touch-up treatments as needed to maintain your results.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Dr. Lim and the rest of our team in Arlington are happy to provide in-office procedures and customized take-home kits to help you brighten your smile and boost your confidence. But it’s natural to have questions before proceeding, such as how much this treatment usually costs.
But the pricing can depend on your unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about how rates are determined and how our practice helps make services more affordable!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening usually has a set cost, there are different factors that can influence how many treatments you might need to achieve the perfect shade, such as:
- The type of discoloration. Intrinsic blemishes in the lower layer of dentin may be less responsive to topical bleach and require repeated applications, increasing your final invoice.
- The severity of the stains. Those with slightly off-white enamel are more likely to see the desired changes with a single treatment than those with darker pigmentation, which can help keep the rate low.
- Whether you require additional services. If Dr. Lim finds concerns, such as cavities or gum disease, requiring treatment, you’ll also be responsible for paying for these procedures.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Associated Costs
When it comes to lightening your grin, there are several potential treatment paths to choose from, which are outlined in more detail with some standard pricing information for your convenience:
- In-office procedures. Our team offers in-office whitening services for a more immediate outcome, often for $400 to $800.
- Professional take-home kits. We also provide take-home kits with customized supplies to help you achieve reliable results more comfortably, often for several hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-counter” trays. Some patients purchase one-size-fits-all whitening trays, which are often available for $100 or less.
- Commercial-grade products. Many stores and pharmacies carry strips and gels to reduce surface stains, ranging between about $20 and $40 per box.
Store-Bought vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
If your budget is your main priority, you might wonder whether it’s worth investing in more costly professional teeth-whitening options. However, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, a product’s quality is often reflected in its price.
For instance, many less expensive store-bought strips and gels contain diluted bleach and one-size-fits-all trays, which are less effective. These can cause errors in the application, leading to inconsistent coloration or sensitivity.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lim uses professional-strength solutions designed to reduce potential tenderness and custom-fitted trays for more comfortable, accurate applications that produce reliable results.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Most dental insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic services that are intended to improve your appearance more than your oral health, including teeth whitening. But every plan is different, and there may be exceptions, so it’s worth verifying your benefits.
With that said, our team believes everyone deserves to have a bright, beautiful smile they can feel confident about. As a result, we offer the following options to help make teeth whitening in Arlington more affordable:
- In-House Membership Plan. For a low annual or monthly fee, you gain access to standard services, such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays, as well as an additional 15% discount on many other treatments we offer.
- Flexible Financing. We also gladly accept flexible financing plans through third-party vendors, including CareCredit, Cherry, LendingClub, Sunbit, Proceed, and AcceptCare. This allows you to divide your total invoice into more manageable installments if your application is approved.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Professional teeth whitening treatments can be customized so that the whitening agents are gentler on teeth and the trays included in take-home kits avoid touching the gumline. Because of this, they’re generally not considered to be painful, and in fact, are often less uncomfortable than store-bought solutions.
That said, we also know that everyone experiences discomfort differently. If you have a history of dental sensitivity, please let us know beforehand. That way, we’ll be able to personalize your teeth whitening treatment plan and promote a positive experience.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Unfortunately, teeth whitening doesn’t work as well on crowns and other dental work as it does natural enamel. The whitening agents are specifically formulated to slip past the pours in organic enamel, enabling the chemicals to reach trapped pigments and eliminate stains. Crowns have a very different structure, and the whitening agents can’t penetrate the surface layer.
If you’re not satisfied with the appearance of your crown, veneers, bridge, etc., we may be able to restore its color with a dedicated polishing. Otherwise, we could always arrange for a replacement so you can continue to be confident in your smile.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
No, teeth whitening is not permanent. Your teeth constantly come into contact with staining pigments throughout the day, which makes it difficult to have brilliantly white enamel forever!
Fortunately, since professional teeth whitening treatments are so minimal, it’s easy to get periodic touch-ups. You can also watch what you eat and drink and practice good oral hygiene habits to promote the longevity of your treatment results.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
The cost of teeth whitening in Arlington can be tricky. If you have severe dental staining, you may need multiple rounds of treatment, which would add to your overall costs, for example. Some patients also need to take care of dental health issues like cavities before we can start the teeth whitening process.
To add to all of this, dental insurance benefits don’t usually cover any of the costs involved in teeth whitening. This is because whitening your teeth doesn’t provide immediate health benefits (even though it may encourage you to take better care of your smile).
If you’re worried about affording teeth whitening, please don’t hesitate to talk to our team. We accept flexible financing plans through CareCredit, Sunbit, Cherry, and other reputable third-party financiers. These plans will take your overall costs and break them down into smaller, monthly chunks to help make payment more manageable.
