Teeth Whitening

Prices vary greatly depending on your individual situation and professional recommendations. The quickest professional teeth-whitening method will cost around $200 to $800. A slightly cheaper, but less convenient, teeth-whitening option is to purchase a home bleaching kit from your dentist, estimated at $200 to $600.

The best option is to visit Family Cosmetic Dentistry to see if whitening is right for you. Almost anyone can benefit from tooth whitening. However, here are a few things to be aware of as some people are more susceptible to tooth sensitivity than others particularly:

• Those with generalized gingival (gum) recession.
• Younger individuals in whom dentin is thinner and the enamel more porous.
• Individuals with enamel loss exposing sensitive dentin; this can be due to wear, caused by grinding habits, or from acid erosion.

Not everyone is a good candidate for whitening depending upon if you have had cosmetic dentistry previously. Bleaching has little or no effect on most restorative materials. It may reduce the bond strength between enamel and composite restorations (tooth colored fillings), at least for a short time. Bleaching has no effect on porcelain or crowns. Ultimately, let us decide if you are a good candidate for whitening.

The claims of whitening by toothpastes mostly relate to their ability to help remove plaque and extrinsic or surface stains. The “whitening” toothpastes merely clean surface stains, but cannot change the underlying tooth color. Abrasives that are added to toothpastes in varying degrees depending on the brand, are essential for helping to remove plaque, and are usually in the form of silica. All ADA-approved toothpastes contain mild abrasives.

Bleaching is not always a permanent solution; the effects may diminish with the passing of time. Optimally, this period lasts six months to two years. Some studies quote periods of anywhere from 6 months to 10 years. Although fading is inevitable, it is possible to slow down the process by avoiding foods and habits that cause staining. Some individuals may need a tooth-whitening “touch-up” professionally, or with the home bleaching technique for 1-2 days, once or twice a year.

Yes, there are many studies supporting the overall safety of whitening by bleaching. Precautions are advised to protect surface enamel, for example by using calcium sulphate to prevent calcium loss and use of fluoride to promote surface hardness.

Both hydrogen peroxide and urea, a breakdown product of carbamide peroxide are found in every human cell; however it must be remembered that “it’s the dosage that can cause a problem.” Concerns are generally only valid for individuals who ignore instructions/guidelines and overuse whiteners for months or years.

My Weston Dental at 16618 Saddle Club Rd, Weston, FL 33326 offers both in-office and take-home professional teeth whitening. Dr. Brigette Ramos DDS and our Weston dental team provide same-visit results with in-office whitening. Call (954) 659-9669 or book online to schedule your Weston teeth whitening appointment.

Most dental insurance plans classify teeth whitening as a cosmetic procedure and do not cover it. However, My Weston Dental offers an in-house dental savings plan that can reduce the cost of cosmetic treatments including teeth whitening for Weston and Broward County patients without traditional insurance.

In-office professional teeth whitening at My Weston Dental typically takes 60 to 90 minutes in a single appointment. During your visit, our Weston dental team applies a professional-grade whitening gel and activates it with a light source to achieve 4 to 8 shades of improvement in one session. Most Weston patients can schedule during a lunch break or after work.