Teeth Whitening – Shelburne, VT
Prepare to Enjoy a Brighter, More Confident Smile
Stained or discolored teeth can form for many reasons, including excess coffee or soda consumption, age, smoking, dental trauma, certain medications, and poor oral hygiene. At Shelburne Village Dentistry, Dr. Maier has a solution that can address this problem and generate a healthier, more confident, and beautiful aesthetic. With professional teeth whitening in Shelburne, you can choose between in-office or at-home treatment. Using the KoR Whitening system, we’ll make sure your teeth and gums remain safe while you work toward a brighter smile, so call our office today to set up a consultation.
Why Choose Shelburne Village Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Dentist Focused on Whole-Body Health
- CareCredit Dental Financing Available
- Personalized Dentistry Designed for Each Patient
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Dr. Maier will want to meet with you to examine your teeth and discuss the concerns and goals for your smile. If she finds that no cavities, gum disease, dental decay, or infection exist, you will likely be approved for treatment. However, if any concerning oral health issues are present, you can expect her to recommend additional care before pursuing professional teeth whitening.
Generally, if you have intrinsic (internal), extrinsic (surface), or age-related stains that keep you from feeling confident in your appearance, teeth whitening can be a worthwhile cosmetic solution.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
When meeting with Dr. Maier for your consultation, she will discuss the available options for teeth whitening. In our office, we use the KoR Whitening system, which is safe and proven effective.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you prefer to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home, we will be happy to provide you with a professional take-home kit that includes custom trays and high-grade bleaching gel. When used correctly for the designated amount of time each day, you will see noticeable results in two weeks.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you would rather have a member of our team handle the whitening process for you, we can administer in-office treatment that produces a brighter smile in about one hour. Dr. Maier will apply the whitening agent to the surfaces of your teeth, allowing it to penetrate the enamel and get rid of intrinsic and extrinsic stains.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Although professional teeth whitening is not a permanent cosmetic treatment, you can take steps to extend the lifespan of your results. This is possible by:
- Practicing good oral hygiene at home, which means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing between teeth at least once before bed, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash regularly.
- Maintaining regular six-month checkups and cleanings with Dr. Maier and our team.
- Limiting or avoiding stain-causing foods and beverages, like coffee, soda, tea, wine, etc.
- Giving up smoking and the use of all tobacco (i.e., e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), and reducing your alcohol intake.
- Wearing appropriate mouth protection to avoid dental trauma.
- Staying away from bad habits that can damage your teeth, including using them as tools to open packages, eating ice, or biting your fingernails.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Whitening your smile shouldn’t have to break the bank, but with so many options out there, it can be hard to tell what to expect to pay and which option is the best value. Because each professional whitening treatment is customized to the individual patient, there’s no way to assess a flat fee for everyone, but here’s a closer look at how Shelburne Village Dentistry calculates your total cost, and why when it comes to whitening your smile, the quality of your treatment should always be the most important consideration.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While each professional teeth whitening treatment is usually one set price, there are several factors that can affect how many treatments you’ll need until you’ve achieved your desired shade of white, including:
- How severe your stains and discoloration are.
- The types of discoloration present and what caused them, as well as whether they’re intrinsic (located within the tooth) or extrinsic (located on the enamel’s surface).
- Whether you’ll need any preliminary procedures such as fillings or dental crowns first.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are several different types of teeth whitening available, each at different price points and concentrations. Here’s a close look at each:
- In-office teeth whitening: This treatment typically costs between $400 to $800, although in some rare cases it could exceed $1,000 due to the level of stains you are trying to remove.
- Take-home whitening kits with custom-fit trays: Available from your dentist, these usually cost a few hundred dollars, but your trays are reusable, and you can return to your dentist for more bleaching gel for periodic touch ups.
- “Over the counter” whitening trays (not custom-fit): These typically cost $100 or less, but do not include custom trays and often have weakened active ingredients that take longer to work.
- Whitening strips or gels: These can be purchased online and at most discount and grocery stores and pharmacies. Strips typically cost between $20 to $40 per box but can take months to work and usually only contain enough strips to treat your teeth for up to two weeks.
Fast Teeth Whitening vs. Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
If you’re only looking at the numbers mentioned above, you’re probably wondering why professional teeth whitening options from your dentist are so popular when they’re the more expensive choice. It’s important to remember, however, that when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality of the work is clearly reflected in the price. When using cheaper strips or gels, many patients see little to no results, especially if they have more sever discoloration. It can also take many months to achieve the look you desire with over-the-counter products.
Conversely, professional treatments are designed to lighten the tooth enamel by multiple shades in much faster timeframes. For in-office treatment you can often remove up to eight shades of discoloration in just one visit, while professional take-home kits can produce similar results in just one or two weeks, but most patients see results after just one use.
Ultimately, when choosing the right teeth whitening option for your smile, it’s important to consider what kinds of results you’re looking for and how quickly you’d like them, not just the cost.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Because teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is almost never covered by traditional dental insurance. However, at Shelburne Village Dentistry, we are happy to accept payment plans from our preferred third-party lender, CareCredit. These plans can help make your teeth whitening treatment more affordable by breaking up the cost into multiple, low-to-no-interest payments that may be better suited to your budget.
We’re ready to assist you with getting the whiter, brighter smile you desire. To learn more about the financial details of professional whitening, please schedule a consultation with us today!