Teeth Whitening – Melbourne, FL
Achieve the Bright, Beautiful Smile You Deserve
Stained teeth can drain your self-confidence and prevent you from sharing an otherwise beautiful smile. Luckily, we can remove years’ worth of built-up stains with professional teeth whitening in Melbourne, FL! We are proud to offer our patients both in-office and take-home treatments that are completely customizable, incredibly effective, and entirely safe. Want to learn more? Schedule a consultation with us or read on!
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Dr. Chenet and our staff are well-versed in the latest teeth whitening methods and can remove stains caused by a variety of factors, including coffee, tobacco, medications, and aging. With that said, we do need to conduct a thorough exam during your consultation to determine if you’re a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. The good news is that even if you aren’t at first, your smile goals won’t be out of reach. For example, if you need a cavity or two treated first, we can incorporate the necessary care into your treatment plan. If the stains are permanent, then we can explore the other cosmetic dental services available, like veneers.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Dr. Chenet and our team will consult with you to determine which method of whitening is right for you. Some patients prefer the convenience of Zoom!, while others prefer a more gradual approach and the financial savings of take-home trays. We offer several brands and methods of teeth whitening, and we will recommend the system that best suits your lifestyle, budget, and the types of stains you have.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home whitening involves custom-made trays that you wear in the comfort of your own home. Unlike over-the-counter trays and strips, these trays will be form-fitted to ensure consistent and safe results. The bleaching solution we provide contains a lower concentration of peroxide (bleaching agent) than the Zoom! formula but a higher concentration than drugstore whiteners. In just a couple of weeks, take-home whitening can lighten your teeth up to eight shades.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom! Whitening is a simple, one-visit procedure that lightens teeth up to eight shades. With Zoom!, we apply a bleaching gel to your teeth and activate it with a no-heat lamp. Relax and listen to music or watch TV, and in about an hour, you can enjoy a bright, stain-free smile.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Of course, the last thing you want is to invest your time and money into a professional whitening treatment and have stubborn stains resurface in a matter of weeks. That’s why it’s so important that you take proactive measures to take care of your smile, including:
- Brushing your teeth after each meal.
- Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash consistently.
- Steering clear of dark-colored foods and beverages.
- Avoiding smoking and other unhealthy dental habits.
- Prioritizing your biannual dental checkups and cleanings
- Getting touch-up whitening treatments as needed.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Before deciding to schedule your teeth whitening treatment in Melbourne, it makes sense why you would consider the cost. Our team values transparent pricing and strives to make getting the cosmetic dental care you want as easy as possible. After we’ve had a chance to examine your smile, we’ll let you know how many sessions you may require to get your desired results and inform you of your options.
Factors That Can Influence the Cost of Teeth Whitening
There are a few different details that could impact the cost of teeth whitening, including:
- Necessary Preparatory Treatments: In some cases, before you can successfully undergo teeth whitening, you may need to treat existing oral health problems like cavities or gum disease. This will set your oral health up for success so you can enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile.
- Extent of Dental Discoloration: Our team will examine your teeth and discuss reasons why your discoloration may have developed. In cases where staining is extrinsic (more surface-level), you may require fewer treatments than stains that are intrinsic (deep-seated).
- Type of Teeth Whitening You Choose: We offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening. Typically, in-office treatment has a slightly higher cost than take-home whitening because it’s administered in-house by our professionals.
How Much Do Different Types of Teeth Whitening Cost?
There is a wide spectrum of teeth whitening products, ranging from the least costly store-bought ones like whitening toothpaste and strips to professional treatment from a cosmetic dentist. Typically, store-bought whitening toothpaste, strips, and kits range between $10 and $100, while professional in-office and take-home treatments can cost between $200 and $600, depending on your unique situation.
The Advantage of Choosing Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s clear that store-bought products are much cheaper than professional treatment, but that doesn’t always mean they’re the best option for you. Treatment from a cosmetic dentist virtually guarantees results in as little as an hour-long appointment or two weeks, depending on whether you opt for in-office or take-home whitening. These clinically tested and safe ingredients used by Dr. Chenet, Dr. Derek, and Dr. Patel are also gentler on your teeth, so you don’t have to worry about unwanted side-effects like sensitivity.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening More Affordable
If you’re interested in teeth whitening in Melbourne but feel like you won’t be able to afford the entire cost up-front, we offer other ways to pay that are more flexible. To make monthly payments on teeth whitening, you can apply for CareCredit financing, which will allow you to split the cost of your procedure up over the course of up to a year. If you’re uninsured, you can sign up for our in-house membership plan through Kleer, which will give you a 15% discount on all additional procedures you get from us.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
As long as your smile is healthy, teeth whitening shouldn’t damage your enamel. Its gel will just make your grin brighter without doing any harm.
Indeed, whitening gel is only a problem for teeth affected by decay or gum disease. The chemicals it uses can cause tooth sensitivity when your smile is in bad shape. Given that fact, a dentist will always conduct an oral exam before approving you for a whitening treatment.
Store-bought whitening is the exception to the points above. It often relies on abrasive materials like activated charcoal, which can wear away enamel over time.
Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
You’re likely a good candidate for teeth whitening if your smile has stubborn stains. That said, the best way to know for sure is to consult your dentist.
A consultation visit lets dentists examine your grin more closely. Based on what they observe, they can see if your teeth would benefit from the whitening process. A dental team can then share their findings and start working on your custom treatment plan.
Of course, a consultation also lets a dentist check for untreated dental issues. That means they’ll know if your smile faces any obstacles to a whitening treatment. Should you have pre-existing tooth decay or gum disease, they can administer more relevant procedures first.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, teeth whitening doesn’t offer permanent results. The effects of treatment only last from a couple of months to a few years at most, depending on how you care for your smile.
The good news is that you can take steps to prolong your results. For example, twice-daily brushing and flossing would reduce the risk (and severity) of future tooth stains. You can also avoid bad habits that stain teeth – smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, etc. Regular dental checkups would also help, as they’d rid you of built-up plaque and debris discoloring your grin.
At the same time, don’t forget that teeth whitening isn’t a one-off treatment. You can always undergo it again to “touch up” your smile and keep it pearly white.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening usually has a moderate price, but there are ways to reduce its cost. Chief among them are a dental practice’s helpful financial options.
Consider our own office, for example. We offer membership plans that provide discounted teeth whitening for an annual fee. Similarly, our patients can work with CareCredit to pay for treatment in small monthly installments. These payment plans charge little to no interest, so they’d let you get whiter teeth without breaking the bank.
Your dental team ultimately wants you to get the bright smile you deserve. That being the case, ask about the financial options they have available.