Teeth Whitening – Boston, MA
Achieve a Stunningly Shiny Smile
Almost everyone would like to achieve a whiter smile, but many popular foods and beverages like tea, coffee, red wine, berries, candies, and dark sauces can lead to stubborn dental stains that don’t respond to conventional oral hygiene methods. That’s why the team at Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group offers safe and effective teeth whitening treatments that can reliably deliver fabulous results in brief timeframes. Here’s a brief guide to how the treatment works, but please contact our office if you’d like to know more.
Why Choose Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group for Teeth Whitening?
- Skilled and Experienced Dental Team
- Address Even Stubborn Stains and Discoloration
- Flexible Financing Options Available
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Healthy human teeth are usually a pearlescent and slightly yellowish shade of off-white, but they can develop difficult stains and discoloration due to factors like age, genetics, and frequent exposure to pigments and dyes. Most dental stains are extrinsic, meaning they are located on top of the enamel, or intrinsic, which means they are embedded beneath the surface. Teeth whitening is noninvasive and painless without anesthesia, so it can be a great choice for almost any patient who is free from cavities and gum disease. This treatment can be especially excellent for those who want to present a sharper appearance at work or in social situations.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening lifts stubborn dental stains with specialized bleaching agents. At Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group, we proudly offer in-house teeth whitening treatments from Zoom! as well as take-home whitening kits. Each treatment will be customized to address the patient’s needs and goals with maximum safety.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Our take-home teeth whitening kits can be an excellent way to lift stubborn stains or touch up a smile after a previous cosmetic treatment. While you can find cheap whitening kits at stores and pharmacies, professional treatments deliver superior results with minimal risk of injury. These treatments typically take two weeks to brighten the smile by up to eight shades.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our in-office teeth whitening treatments can deliver astounding results in about an hour, which makes them great for those anticipating a special event like a graduation, wedding, or job interview. The process uses powerful whitening agents and customized components to safely and reliably remove stains and discoloration.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
You’ll certainly want to do what you can to preserve the results of your whitening treatment after you achieve your brighter and shinier smile. To do this, stick to the following guidelines:
- Eat plenty of white dairy products to provide your teeth with the protein, vitamins, and minerals they need to stay healthy and strong.
- Refrain from consuming stain-causing foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and dark sauces too frequently.
- Practice excellent oral hygiene at home.
- Receive regular dental checkups at our office in Boston.
- Abstain from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Visit us for touch-up whitening treatments when necessary.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a popular option for enhancing the natural appearance of the teeth. However, many patients put off treatment because they are worried about how much it will cost. Since everyone’s smile goals are unique, the cost can vary. During your consultation, we will go over the exact cost of your treatment so that you don’t run into any surprises. Until then, here are some things to consider.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of professional teeth whitening on several factors. Here are some of the prominent ones.
- Type of Discoloration: Intrinsic stains are more difficult to lift than extrinsic stains, so they might require other treatment methods.
- Severity of Discoloration: If your teeth have dark stains, they may need additional whitening sessions to achieve your goals.
- Other Services: If you have existing dental issues, like gum disease or tooth decay, they need to be treated and eliminated ahead of time.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are multiple teeth whitening options out there. Here’s what you can usually expect in terms of cost.
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: In-office teeth whitening ranges from $400 to $800. In some areas, it can be over $1000.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening: Professional take-home teeth whitening kits usually cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays: Teeth whitening trays that you find over-the-counter are usually $100 or less.
- Over-the-Counter Strips/Gels: This is the cheapest teeth whitening option out there. These boxes cost between $20 and $40 and contain enough product to last a couple of weeks.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
When you look at the numbers above, you might be wondering why anyone would choose professional teeth whitening when over-the-counter treatment options are so much more affordable. With cosmetic dentistry, the results that you see are clearly seen in the cost of the treatments that you get. If you choose cheaper strips and gels, you won’t see significant results – especially with darker discoloration. Professional teeth whitening treatment gives you noticeable results in a fraction of the time.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Even if you have your heart set on achieving a brighter smile, it’s perfectly understandable that you might be hesitant to commit to teeth whitening treatment if you are worried that the procedure will hurt. The process is noninvasive and painless, and the team at Boston Prosthodontics only uses completely customized components during the procedure to minimize the risk of injuries and lingering dental sensitivity. We’ll also be sure to provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to help you stay comfortable while recovering. If your teeth are particularly prone to sensitivity, please let us know during your consultation so we can plan your treatment accordingly. You can also minimize this annoying sensation by waiting longer between whitening retreatments, avoiding hot beverages until you can enjoy them comfortably, or using desensitizing toothpaste.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of teeth whitening treatments from our Boston office can last anywhere from a few months to several years depending on how well you take care of your smile. The best way to keep your grin shiny is to practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day. It’s also crucial to visit our office regularly for routine checkups and cleanings so we can monitor your oral health and address new stains and infections in their early stages. Limiting your intake of discoloring foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, candy, berries, colas, and dark sauces will also help prevent new stains. When drinking dark beverages, it’s best to do so using a straw to reduce how much contact the liquid makes with your teeth, and you should also enjoy a tall glass of water afterward to flush any residue from your mouth. Tobacco use is an excellent way to stain your teeth, so it’s best to quit any smoking, chewing, or vaping habits to preserve your results.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Almost any person who is struggling to smile confidently due to stubborn stains or discoloration can be an excellent candidate for teeth whitening. While oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease can preclude you from receiving the procedure, the team at Boston Prosthodontics will be happy to address these issues with an appropriate restorative treatment so you can whiten your teeth later. However, the only way to know for sure if you can be a candidate is to schedule a consultation at our office.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Teeth whitening treatments cannot affect dental crowns since they are not made of natural enamel, and the treatment may even weaken the cement holding the restorations in place. To prevent complications, it may be best to whiten your teeth before receiving or replacing dental crowns so your devices can be shaded to match your brightened smile. The best ways to prevent stains from forming on your crowns are to practice excellent oral hygiene, visit your dentist regularly, and limit your consumption of richly colored foods and beverages.