Teeth Whitening – South Elgin, IL

Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

When it comes to professional teeth whitening, most individuals are considered good candidates. When teeth appear stained or discolored because of overconsumption of dark-colored foods and/or beverages, smoking, genetics, fluorosis, or certain medications, this type of cosmetic treatment can be highly effective.

However, before beginning treatment, our team must conduct a thorough examination as part of an initial consultation. Apart from discussing a person’s goals and what they hope to achieve with teeth whitening, we’ll also discuss lifestyle habits, commitment to post-treatment care, and the severity of existing stains and discoloration. If we discover that gum disease or tooth decay exists, it will be necessary to treat these issues before offering take-home teeth whitening.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

At Grand Dental – South Elgin, we are pleased to offer patients a convenient option for teeth whitening – take-home kits. These allow individuals to whiten their teeth on their own time instead of scheduling an appointment to have it completed in-house.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Once customized trays are crafted, our team will provide an individual with their designed trays and Opalescence whitening gel. Using detailed instructions delivered by our team, the person will wear the trays every day for a designated amount of time. The bleaching agent will penetrate the enamel to target stains and eliminate them. After two weeks, a person can expect to see dramatic results.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Although in-office teeth whitening is not offered at our South Elgin office, many dentists also provide in-office whitening. This usually involves applying the bleaching agent to the teeth and using a high-powered light to activate the whitening gel and eliminate stains.

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, so it is necessary that patients understand and agree to commit to regular touch-ups if results are to be maintained. To extend the life of one’s brighter smile, though, they can:

• Limit the consumption of any dark-colored foods and/or beverages.
• Continue to see their dentist for regular dental checkups and cleanings.
• Practice a good oral hygiene routine at home that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
• Eating calcium-enriched foods that strengthen teeth and help keep them looking and feeling healthy.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic dental treatments like professional teeth whitening are not often covered by dental insurance. This can deter many patients who would like to see a brighter, healthier-looking smile. While over-the-counter products can lure individuals with lower prices, they often lack the powerful ingredients needed to produce effective results. This is why the cost of teeth whitening is worth the investment. But it may not be as costly as one might believe.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

There are several factors our dentists will review when preparing a cost estimate for teeth whitening. They include:

• The decision to pursue additional treatment to address underlying oral health problems such as gum disease or tooth decay.
• The severity of one’s tooth stains and whether they are intrinsic, extrinsic, or both, as this will determine how many sessions are required to produce effective results.
• The preferred method of teeth whitening treatment – in-office or take-home whitening kits.

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

Patients who are considering professional teeth whitening may first wish to compare the cost of services provided by a cosmetic dentist to products found on local drugstore shelves. The price of these treatments is not the only component that differentiates them from one another but also the quality of their results.

• In-office whitening treatment can range between $400-$500.
• Take-home whitening treatment can cost $200-$300.
• Store-bought whitening trays are estimated at $100.
• Store-bought whitening pens, gels, or strips are commonly priced at $20-$30.

Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening

Store-bought products are considerably less expensive than professional teeth whitening, which can make it difficult to understand why it’s better to invest in the latter. With cosmetic dentistry, though, quality and cost often go together.

Cheaper products like gels and strips may cost less but also provide little or no results. This is especially true if an individual has significant discoloration. Professional whitening, however, is effective in brightening teeth by several shades within a short period of time. In-office whitening often requires only one appointment, and take-home trays can deliver results in 1-2 weeks.

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

At Grand Dental – South Elgin, our dentists offer affordable solutions to help patients pursue professional teeth whitening without incurring high out-of-pocket costs. We offer flexible financing through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit – two third-party companies that offer low- and no-interest payment plans. Instead of paying for treatment upfront, a person can choose a plan and begin paying it off over time.

Another option is our Grand Advantage Plan. This in-house membership program provides a 20% discount on all dental services to those who sign up by paying the annual membership fee.

Teeth Whitening FAQs