There are many cosmetic dentistry treatments that improve the appearance of your smile, but teeth whitening remains one of the most popular options we offer. While not everyone needs veneers or Invisalign, most people have stained or discolored teeth at some point in their lives, whether caused by aging, a coffee or tea habit, smoking, or medications. A whiter smile may seem like a small change, but it can make a dramatic difference in your overall appearance.
That said, cosmetic dentistry isn’t covered by dental insurance, so many patients worry about the cost of professional teeth whitening treatments. Can they afford it? Is it worth it? Here’s what you need to know.
Cost of Teeth Whitening in Ramapo, NY
First, let’s discuss what we mean by teeth whitening. We all know what it means to have a whiter smile, but there are many products and procedures that can be used for teeth whitening, from special toothpastes and brushes to advanced whitening procedures favored by Hollywood celebrities. At A&R Advanced Dental Group, our teeth whitening treatments include in-office bleaching as well as at-home bleaching kits.
Our in-office teeth whitening treatments are typically done in a single visit that takes about an hour. This makes it a great option for patients who want to achieve a dramatically whiter smile in the shortest amount of time. We protect your gums, then apply a carbamide peroxide bleaching agent and use a special light to enhance its results. This type of teeth whitening is usually between $700-1000 in Ramapo, NY.
Professional at-home teeth whitening kits include customized mouth guards to hold the bleaching agent in place. We’ll provide you with instructions on how long to wear your mouth guards each day and how many weeks of treatment are needed to achieve your desired results. At-home teeth whitening from a dentist is about $250 in Ramapo, NY, depending on the system used.
Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Whitening Treatments
Given the cost of teeth whitening treatments from a dentist, you may wonder if you can achieve the same results at home with over-the-counter whitening kits available from online retailers and drugstores. There’s no shortage of whitening toothpastes, scrubs, strips, and trays available directly to consumers—can’t they be used instead?
While many ADA-approved whitening products are effective, they’re simply not as strong as the products used by dentists. This means that while you’ll be able to achieve a whiter smile, the results will be more subtle. These types of treatments are a good fit for patients with very mild staining, but they are not as effective for deep stains that go beyond the enamel layer. Because patients don’t see the results they want, they often use these whitening treatments for longer amounts of time than directed, which can lead to painful tooth sensitivity.
Other teeth whitening products that are currently popular online aren’t approved by the American Dental Association; at best, they are ineffective, but at worst, they may damage your tooth enamel and leave you more prone to stains and tooth discoloration in the long-term.
Learn More About Teeth Whitening in Ramapo, NY
If you’d like to schedule a consultation or an appointment for teeth whitening, contact us today at 845-364-9400 for our Pomona office or 718-376-1666 for our Brooklyn location. We look forward to helping you smile brighter!