Teeth Whitening West Loop Chicago

Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Most patients who are dissatisfied with the color of their natural teeth are good candidates for teeth whitening, but Dr. Hammes will need to examine your smile first and review your medical history before clearing you for this exciting treatment. Since there are different types of staining, including intrinsic, which affects the inner layer of teeth, and extrinsic, which affects their outermost layer, he’ll suggest an appropriate and customized treatment method for achieving your smile goals.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

During your consultation, Dr. Hammes will review your treatment options with you—you’ll likely have a choice between receiving in-office whitening or a take-home whitening kit. Both of these options are capable of delivering truly spectacular results, as the treatments will cater to your specific needs; however, the timeline for each varies, as does the amount of responsibility that falls on you. Here’s a closer look at each option:

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

For patients who’d rather brighten their smiles from the comfort of their own homes and on their own timelines, we’re excited to offer Zoom! take-home whitening kits. Each one contains personalized trays and powerful bleaching gels that are stronger than anything you can pick up at the store or from online retailers. You’ll simply fill the trays with the gel and wear them for a certain amount of time each day.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

If you’d prefer faster results that also don’t require you to do much outside of sitting in a chair for treatment, in-office whitening might be for you. We’ll use an ultra-strength bleaching gel to remove even the most stubborn of stains, and in as little as an hour, you’ll leave our office with a smile that’s several shades brighter.

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

Once your teeth have been whitened, it falls on you to keep them that way and ensure your results last for as long as possible. Here are some sensible tips to help you out:

• Try to limit your exposure to dark-colored foods and beverages that are known to cause dental staining, including coffee, tea, red wines and sauces, and berries.
• Practice good oral hygiene every single day by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Avoid poor dental habits that might contribute to staining, such as smoking or using chewing tobacco, or biting into hard non-food objects.
• Visit us every six months for routine preventive care, and to have your whitening results touched up if needed.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

As much as you may want teeth whitening, you should learn its price first. You’ll then be able to tell whether the treatment fits your budget. With that said, you should see our dentists for a precise estimate; the cost of teeth whitening varies by patient. Our team will also make your care more affordable, walking you through its pricing factors, dental insurance, etc. Please keep reading or call us to learn more about teeth whitening expenses.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

While teeth whitening has a set price, various factors affect how many “sessions” you’ll need. These include:

• Type of Stains – If you have extrinsic tooth stains (i.e., those from meals), you’ll likely need fewer sessions. Meanwhile, patients with intrinsic stains will require more appointments.
• Severity of Stains – Those with very dark smile stains need more whitening sessions. After all, such discoloration is trickier to remove over time.
• Preliminary Dental Work – You may need other dental work before teeth whitening can start. If so, these other services (dental crowns, fillings, etc.) will raise your treatment price.

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

There’s more than one kind of teeth whitening, and the type you get will affect your expenses. Treatment usually takes one of the following forms:

• In-Office Teeth Whitening – All in all, in-office teeth whitening costs $400-800 per session. Rare cases can reach up to $1000 at times.
• Take-Home Teeth Whitening – Should you get a take-home teeth whitening kit, you’ll likely spend up to a few hundred dollars.
• “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – Store-bought whitening trays aren’t customized for patients, so they don’t usually cost much. Most have a price of $100 or less.
• Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – Whitening strips and gels cost the least among treatment options. In fact, your average pharmacy or supermarket only charges $20-40 per box.

Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening

Despite its high upfront cost, professional teeth whitening is more popular than the store-bought kind. The reason is that dentist-approved whiteners offer superior results.

You see, cosmetic dentistry’s quality is reflected in its cost. That means store-bought strips and gels that are less expensive aren’t as effective. The opposite is true with pro-whitening, which has a higher price but ensures quick and stunning results. You can trust the latter option to make your grin six to eight shades whiter!

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Dental insurance won’t often pay for teeth whitening, but treatment can still be affordable. You simply need to rely on our practice’s helpful payment options! Here at Washington Dental Care West Loop, we happen to offer:

• In-House Membership Plans – By joining one of our office’s in-house membership plans, you can get a major discount on teeth whitening.
• Flexible Financing – We’re proud to work with CareCredit and Alphaeon, reputable 3^rd party financiers. They’d let you pay for teeth whitening in manageable monthly installments.

A bright smile shouldn’t have to “break the bank,” so visit us and let our team finance your treatment!

Teeth Whitening FAQs