Teeth Whitening San Antonio
Brighten Up Your Smile
Teeth naturally become discolored over time. While a bit of discoloration might not indicate anything about your oral health, you still may feel self-conscious if your teeth are noticeably yellow or dull-looking. What can you do to brighten up your smile? Talk to our San Antonio cosmetic dentistry team about your options for teeth whitening. We offer both in-office services and take-home whitening kits that may be able to brighten your teeth by several shades.
Why Choose Orbis Dental Group for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office and Take-Home Treatments Available
- Trusted Opalescence and KOR Products
- Get Rid of Stubborn Dental Stains
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening can benefit almost anyone! It might be suitable for you if:
- You are unhappy with the color of your teeth.
- Your teeth have extrinsic (on the surface of the enamel) or intrinsic (inside the enamel) stains.
- You want to feel more confident in social settings.
- Your mouth is healthy enough for cosmetic services. For example, you should not have any untreated cavities or gum disease.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening formulas work by penetrating the tooth enamel and breaking up unwanted pigment molecules. The active ingredient in them is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
In our office, we use products from Opalescence and KOR, which are specially formulated to be effective while also minimizing post-treatment sensitivity. Whether you choose an in-office treatment or request a take-home whitening kit, you can expect noticeable results within a short period of time.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
With a take-home whitening kit, all you have to do is use the provided products as instructed. Usually, this means you will have to wear a tray filled with whitening formula for a specific amount of time each day over the course of a couple of weeks. This option is great for patients who wish to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their own space.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you wish to achieve results as quickly as possible, an in-office whitening session may be right for you. Our team will apply the Opalescence or KOR formula to your teeth, and within an hour, your smile should be significantly brighter. Unlike other popular whitening systems, the Opalescence and KOR formulas do not require a hot or uncomfortable light to activate them.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
To maintain your results, you should:
- Eat a white diet for a few days after your in-office treatment. This can include things like milk, bananas, white rice, and other items that have little to no pigment. After this initial period, you can eat normally, though it would be wise to enjoy highly pigmented items only in moderation.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene. You can use whitening toothpaste to remove new surface stains.
- Get a dental cleaning every 6 months. Your hygienist can polish your teeth and minimize new stains.
- Avoid bad habits. Cigarettes and chewing tobacco can quickly stain your teeth, so they should be avoided.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the lower-priced cosmetic options. Its cost depends on the specific details of your service, such as which whitening system we use and whether you opt for an in-office or take-home treatment. During your consultation, our team will be happy to provide you with specific pricing information.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening services are usually one set fee, but there are some factors that might increase their price:
- Severe discoloration can be challenging to correct. It may require special processes and therefore incur a higher overall price.
- Certain types of discoloration are more stubborn than others, meaning that our team may have to devote more time and effort to helping you achieve a bright smile.
- Some patients require restorative care before getting their teeth whitened. For example, you might need a small filling. Such services have their own price that will add to the total cost of your treatment.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are four main categories of teeth whitening:
- In-office whitening is often the highest-priced option, typically ranging from $400 to $800.
- Take-home professional whitening kits that use custom fit trays often start out at a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-counter whitening kits, which do not use custom trays or a professional formula, may cost around $100 or so.
- Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels are the cheapest options. Often, you can get enough product for a two-week course of whitening for less than $50.
Professional Vs. OTC Teeth Whitening
When you look at the numbers above, you may naturally wonder why anyone would choose professional teeth whitening when much cheaper options are available. There are a few reasons:
- Professional teeth whitening uses some of the most concentrated formulas available, meaning you may get faster and more noticeable results.
- Professional teeth whitening occurs under the supervision of a dental team who is committed to your oral health. We only use products that have a track record of safety and effectiveness, and we would never recommend teeth whitening for anyone who is not a good candidate for it. In contrast, some over-the-counter whitening options can be very abrasive and may harm tooth enamel.
- Professional teeth whitening can be customized. For example, different formulas are available for patients with varying needs. This can help to reduce post-treatment sensitivity.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic service, so you should not expect your dental insurance to cover it. Most patients do not find the cost to be prohibitive, and teeth whitening can be even easier to afford when you take advantage of available provisions. For example:
- You can sign up for our in-house membership plan. For a reasonable annual fee, you can enjoy all necessary preventive care and a 20% discount on all additional services, including teeth whitening.
- If you have a CareCredit or Sunbit credit card, you may use it to finance the cost of services performed in our practice. If you do not have either of these cards yet, ask our team how you can apply.
Brightening your smile does not have to break the bank! Get in touch with Orbis Dental Group to learn more about teeth whitening and its cost.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening is a relatively comfortable treatment. However, some patients notice an increase in dental sensitivity that lasts for a few days following their whitening procedure. (This is not always an issue because many professional whitening products contain desensitizing agents.) You can manage any discomfort by avoiding hot, cold, and acidic foods. Desensitizing toothpaste may also be helpful.
If you have sensitive teeth, talk to us about your concerns. We can adjust your teeth whitening plan to reduce your risk of discomfort.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Professional and over-the-counter whitening products may contain similar ingredients. However, there are some big differences between them:
- Professional products from a cosmetic dentist in San Antonio tend to be more highly concentrated, so they often deliver better results.
- With professional whitening, you get the supervision of a highly qualified dental team who wants your treatment to be both safe and successful.
- While some OTC products are fine, others contain abrasive or acidic ingredients that might harm your enamel. Professional products have been thoroughly tested and are enamel-safe.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most adults with discolored teeth are good candidates for teeth whitening. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Your mouth should be healthy before you whiten your teeth. Therefore, you should undergo an examination and address any cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues before you move forward with whitening.
- Some types of stains do not respond well to whitening products. If you have such stains, our team can propose alternative methods to help you reach your goals.
- Teeth whitening formulas are not effective on veneers, crowns, and other types of restorations.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
When done properly, teeth whitening does not pose any threat to your enamel. When done improperly, however, problems can arise. For example, some DIY hacks for whitening teeth use very acidic or abrasive ingredients, like lemon juice or activated charcoal. Exposing your enamel to these substances for any prolonged length of time could cause damage. You should also be careful not to overuse any whitening products.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, dental crowns do not respond to normal whitening formulas. That is simply because, even though crowns look very similar to real teeth, they have a completely different makeup. Whitening formulas cannot penetrate crowns and break up pigment molecules.
If one of your dental crowns has become stained, ask our team about your options. Polishing it might make it look a little better. Or, you may need to get it completely replaced.