Teeth Whitening – Owings Mills, MD
Professional Teeth Whitening Options for Dazzling Results
Do you have an upcoming occasion, such as a reunion, wedding, or another momentous event, that you want to look your best for? Unfortunately, if your enamel is tinted more brown or yellow than pearly white, you might worry about being judged for your appearance or avoid having any pictures taken on the big day.
Thankfully, Dr. Milner offers in-office and take-home professional teeth whitening options for dazzling results that can boost your confidence. Continue reading to learn more about this popular cosmetic service!
Why Choose Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office & Take-Home Whitening Services
- Select Evening Hours Available
- Offer a Dental Membership Savings Plan
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Potentially, anyone feeling self-conscious about dental discoloration could potentially benefit from teeth whitening, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right treatment to meet everyone’s unique needs.
For example, extrinsic stains in your enamel caused by frequent or repeated exposure to darkly tinted foods might respond better to this topical treatment than intrinsic blemishes, which seep into or begin in the lower layer of dentin. The latter might require repeated applications or a different service, such as dental bonding, to achieve the desired results.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Although many commercial-grade products claim to be able to lighten your enamel, many contain diluted bleaches that often cause sensitivity or produce inconsistent results. Meanwhile, our team examines your mouth and treats any pre-existing problems, like cavities or gum disease, that might interfere with the outcome.
Then, if we determine you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening, we might recommend one of the following methods, based on your needs and how quickly you’d like to see changes:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
We can provide everything you need to achieve brilliantly bright results from the comfort of your living room with one of our take-home kits. We include an ultra-concentrated gel that’s designed to mitigate potential discomfort and custom-fitted trays designed to fit like a glove for a more comfortable and accurate application. Many patients start to see lighter teeth in as few as two weeks when used as directed.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Those seeking more immediate results might benefit from an in-office teeth whitening procedure. Our team will carefully apply professional-strength bleach to your enamel, then speed up the bleaching process by shining a special ultraviolet light on your teeth. This option can potentially lighten your grin by up to eight shades in a single, hour-long appointment.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Dr. Milner and the rest of our team in Owings Mills look forward to helping you build and maintain the beautifully bright smile you’ve always dreamed of! Once you finally achieve the perfect shade, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to maintain the results. You can help preserve your recent cosmetic enhancement by:
- Implementing an at-home hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing twice daily remove bacteria and plaque that give deeply pigmented particles something to cling to, helping prevent additional discoloration.
- Avoiding darkly toned foods. Steering clear of common culprits, such as tea, coffee, tomatoes, berries, and wine, can keep you from developing more stains.
- Eating more dairy. Lightly toned dairy products, such as milk, Greek yogurt, and white cheese, are unlikely to cause blemishes and are a good source of calcium to strengthen your enamel.
- Investing in touch-ups. You might need periodic retreatment to mintain the just-right hue.
- Scheduling regular exams. Visiting Dr. Milner every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning allows him to protect your dental health and polish away more recent surface stains.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Dr. Milner is happy to provide both in-office procedures and/or customized take-home whitening kits to help brighten your smile and boost your confidence. But it’s normal to have questions about your elective treatment before proceeding, and one of the first things many patients ask is how much it costs.
However, the answer can depend on your unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about possible rates and how our office in Owings Mills helps make cosmetic services more affordable!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening options typically have predetermined prices, various factors might affect how many treatments you’ll need to achieve the desired results, which can impact your final invoice.
Some potential considerations include:
- The types of discoloration present. Intrinsic stains in the lower dentin layer often require more applications than extrinsic blemishes in the outer enamel, raising the total cost.
- The severity of your condition. Those with more darkly tinted teeth may need multiple treatments to achieve the perfect shade, increasing out-of-pocket expenses.
- Other required procedures. Milner will need to treat any pre-existing issues, such as cavities or gum disease, and those services must also be covered.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Their Standard Prices
There are several different ways to brighten your smile, outlined in more detail with their typical rates, below:
- In-office procedures. Milner offers in-office procedures that can potentially lighten your enamel by several shades in a single visit, which can range between $400 and $800+.
- Professional take-home kits. Our team can also send you home with ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted trays for optimal results, often for several hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-counter” trays. It’s sometimes possible to find one-size-fits-all whitening trays for about $100 or less.
- Store-bought strips and gels. Many pharmacies and grocery stores carry a variety of strips and gels that claim to lighten teeth, which can cost $20 to $40 per box.
Store-Bought vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
If you’re looking at the prices listed above, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s worth investing in professional services to brighten your smile. However, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality of a product is often reflected in its price.
For example, many store-bought options contain diluted bleach that is less effective and can cause uneven coloration or sensitivity, requiring professional treatment to fix. Meanwhile, our team in Owings Mills uses ultra-concentrated gels designed to reduce this type of discomfort. We also provide custom-fitted applicator trays for more comfortable, accurate results you can rely on.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Most dental insurance policies consider teeth whitening a cosmetic service that’s intended to improve your appearance more than your oral health, so they don’t always cover the cost. But there may be exceptions, and certain aspects of your visit might be included, so it’s worth verifying your details to understand what’s included.
Our team also believes that everyone deserves to have a healthy, dazzlingly bright smile they can feel proud of, regardless of their insurance status or financial situation. If you’re concerned about the cost of teeth whitening, you might benefit from our in-house membership plan. For a low monthly fee, you gain access to routine preventive care, such as exams, cleanings, and X-rays, as well as an additional 15% discount on many other services we offer.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Usually, in-office teeth whitening treatments deliver results in about an hour, while take-home options take two weeks of consistent use. With that said, there are some exceptions. For example, if we find tooth decay, gum disease, or another oral health problem during the exam, then we will need time to provide the necessary restorative care. That’s why it’s so important not to wait until the last minute to schedule a consultation with us! We may need more than a week or two to create the healthy, gorgeous smile that you deserve.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the results of your teeth whitening treatment in Owings Mills will not last forever. Don’t get discouraged, though! After all, you can keep your smile bright and brilliant for 6+ months with the proper care, like brushing and flossing consistently. Of course, it’s equally important to avoid doing anything that could cause noticeable, yellow stains to quickly resurface as well, like smoking or drinking coffee without a straw.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat Following My Teeth Whitening Treatment?
Yes. Following your teeth whitening treatment, it’s best to avoid tomato soup, beets, and other dark-colored foods. You should also avoid pigmented sauces that can cause stubborn stains to develop, including BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and marinara sauce. Instead, stick to mostly white fish, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, bananas, and the like.
Can I Drink Coffee After Whitening My Teeth?
It’s best not to drink coffee, especially in the hours immediately following your teeth whitening treatment. Even after you get the green light from our Owings Mills dental team to incorporate it back into your daily routine, you should take certain precautions to protect your teeth. That starts with using a straw and extends to rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water when you’re done.
When Should I Start Whitening My Teeth Before a Special Event?
If you want to revitalize your smile before a special event, like a wedding, don’t wait until the last minute to schedule a consultation! This is important because – as we mentioned above – we may need to provide preliminary care, like a tooth-colored filling. Not only that, but it may take more than one whitening treatment to achieve the results you desire. So, it’s best to get in touch with us as soon as you’re seriously considering a professional teeth whitening treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?
Although our team at Dolfield Dental is happy to work with several popular dental insurance providers, including CareFirst and BlueCross BlueShield, they don’t typically cover the cost of teeth whitening. However, you shouldn’t let that stop you from pursuing your dream smile, especially since that isn’t the only financial solution that’s available. For example, our adult membership plan includes a 15% discount on services completed at our office. If you’d like further details, including how to sign up, let us know!