Teeth Whitening – Castle Rock, WA
In-Office & Take-Home Options
These days, everyone wants a dazzling smile. Research has shown how important appearance can be for self-confidence and attaining both professional and personal goals. Teeth whitening can be an easy way to improve your appearance, and at Cowlitz River Dental, we can help you with both in-office and take-home teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening provided by a dentist is leaps and bounds above over-the-counter teeth whitening methods. If you’re preparing for a big event – a wedding, a job interview, a banquet, or the prom – consider a trip to Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, to explore your teeth whitening options. Call us today.
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most people who want to do something about the stains on their teeth can undergo professional teeth whitening; however, it does require a scheduled consultation with Dr. Kennington first. The reason is that there might be additional oral health problems that must be addressed before moving forward with cosmetic treatment.
If you have any signs of decay or gum disease, we’ll need to first administer appropriate treatment. Then, we can begin to discuss which whitening option is best to help you meet your unique needs.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
There are a few different options that you can choose from when opting for professional teeth whitening. At Cowlitz River Dental, we are pleased to offer both in-office and take-home whitening options.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening from a dentist is not to be confused with over-the-counter methods. We will create custom-fit whitening trays that fit your smile like a glove and provide you with professional-strength teeth whitening gel. With the custom trays, you get great coverage and comfort.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is great for patients who have a big event coming up. Right before your event, we can help whiten your smile with a single procedure in our Castle Rock, WA, dental office. We can also combine your in-office teeth whitening with take-home teeth whitening to help you maintain your results. This one-two teeth whitening punch will help you have a whiter, brighter smile that lasts.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Professional teeth whitening is not meant to last forever. Follow-up appointments or at-home touch-ups will be required over time if you want your results to last as long as possible. Of course, there are additional ways to keep your teeth shining bright, such as:
- Adopting good oral hygiene habits at home that include brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash.
- Keeping your regular checkup and cleaning appointments with our dental team.
- Limiting your consumption of dark-colored beverages and foods.
- Giving up smoking and the use of other tobacco products.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of teeth whitening is something most people will consider before deciding whether to move forward with treatment. As a cosmetic service that is not covered by dental insurance (in most cases), the out-of-pocket expense requires an investment on a patient’s part. Fortunately, at Cowlitz River Dental, we offer additional ways to keep costs low while making it possible for individuals to pursue a brighter, whiter smile.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
When meeting with Dr. Kennington to discuss your desire for teeth whitening, you can expect to receive a cost estimate that breaks down the different factors that are considered as part of your treatment. Some of these include the severity of your stains and whether they are on the surface or below the enamel (or both), the type of treatment you would like to pursue – in-office or take-home whitening kits, and whether you need additional services to combat present tooth decay or gum disease.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Many patients may contemplate going with a cheaper solution – the kind that can be found at a local drugstore – however, these may not produce the results that are truly desired. Before doing the same, consider the investment that is required for each type of whitening. Then, allow Dr. Kennington and our team to explain why paying more for high-quality results matters.
- In-Office Whitening: $400-$500
- Take-Home Whitening: $200-$300
- Store-Bought Trays: $100
- Strips and Gels: $20-$30
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
Store-bought teeth whitening, as you can see, is significantly less expensive than in-office or take-home whitening kits provided by a cosmetic dentist. While the price tag is more appealing with over-the-counter solutions, the results they provide will leave you disappointed.
By investing in professional services, you will not only see results in one hour with in-office whitening or two weeks with take-home custom kits, but you’ll also have the confidence of knowing that your treatment is safe and effective because of the oversight provided by your cosmetic dentist.
Cheaper doesn’t always mean better, and it’s not worth risking your smile to find that out. Instead, leave it to the professionals who know how to effectively remove stains above and below the surface so that you can enjoy each day with a brighter smile.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
At Cowlitz River Dental, we offer additional ways for you to pay for teeth whitening treatment. Apart from welcoming cash, checks, and most major credit cards, we also partner with CareCredit. Complete with low and no-interest payment plans, you can choose one that works with your budget. Instead of worrying about additional fees, you will pay off your treatment over time based on the original price provided.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How can I make my teeth whitening results last?
After undergoing teeth whitening treatment with Dr. Kennington, you’ll need to be proactive about keeping your new smile looking its best. You can do this by:
- Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home that include brushing twice each day for two minutes, flossing at least once every day, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash.
- Continuing to see our team at Cowlitz River Dental for regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months.
- Reducing the amount of dark-colored foods and beverages you consume to avoid causing new stains to form.
- Giving up unhealthy habits that are known to cause discoloration and weaken enamel, such as smoking and using your teeth as tools.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Finding a cosmetic dentist who has the training and experience to provide professional teeth whitening is important. Using products on your teeth (or allowing someone else to) can put your smile at risk for serious damage. At Cowlitz River Dental, we only use whitening solutions that are approved by the FDA and ADA. Because of the rigorous testing that is performed on these products beforehand, we can confidently treat your smile for staining and discoloration. Whether you opt for in-office or take-home teeth whitening, you can rest assured that your smile will remain safe because of the oversight provided by Dr. Kennington. Also, when choosing at-home whitening, the customized trays you’ll use are designed to keep your gums safe from the bleaching agent that is used.
How long will teeth whitening treatment take?
One of the added benefits of choosing professional teeth whitening over store-bought brands is that it’s fast, so you can see results much quicker. With in-office whitening, your smile can be lightened by up to eight shades in just one visit, while take-home kits can have you seeing a whiter smile in two weeks. If you have intrinsic stains that are difficult to remove, Dr. Kennington may suggest additional whitening treatments to help you achieve the look you desire.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
Unfortunately, no. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, so you’ll need to inquire about touch-ups if you want your results to last longer. On average, your brighter smile can last anywhere from six months to a few years, but this is dependent on how well you plan to take care of your smile after undergoing treatment. You can expect Dr. Kennington to go over ways to prolong your results so that you are less likely to need a touch-up in the near future.