Teeth Whitening – North Naples, FL
Dramatically Brighten Your Smile
It’s normal to feel nervous when you have stained or discolored teeth. After all, most folks don’t want to show off a yellow or brown smile to their peers. The good news is that you don’t have to live with a dark and dirty-looking grin! With our teeth whitening in North Naples, Dr. Makram will quickly enhance your smile and make it brighter than ever. Please learn more by reading below or book a consultation for further details.
Why Choose Mark Makram DDS for Teeth Whitening?
- Remove Coffee, Wine, & Tobacco Stains Disappear
- Fast In-Office Treatment
- Comfortable Amenities for a Positive Experience
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Honestly, most adults can qualify for teeth whitening; it only requires decent oral health. Just note that the procedure does benefit some patients more than others. To maximize its effects, you should see whether you have certain key qualities.
The best teeth whitening candidates are often those with extrinsic tooth stains. Since these markings occur when meals discolor enamel, treatment can remove them with bleaching gel. Meanwhile, the whitening process isn’t helpful for intrinsic tooth stains; it can’t remove marks from beneath the enamel.
How Does In-Office Teeth Whitening Work?
Dr. Makram will perform an oral exam when you visit, checking for stains to see if whitening would help. He’ll then consider your needs based on the exam’s findings. If he concludes you qualify for care, he’ll recommend you for in-office teeth whitening.
Our office takes pride in using Zoom! Whitening (the leading teeth whitening system), as it greatly brightens smiles in just one visit. We’ll apply its bleaching gel to your grin for treatment and activate it using a special light. Since the gel is made with safe and effective hydrogen peroxide, it’ll penetrate your teeth to remove deep stains from varied sources. The result will be a smile dreamier than you thought possible, with a shade six to ten shades whiter.
A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure. We can also give you a take-home whitening kit for periodic touch-ups.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening results aren’t permanent, but you can take steps to help them last. Just remember to do the following:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – You can keep plaque from staining your teeth by brushing twice daily and flossing once daily. Of course, regular dental checkups and cleanings would also help.
- Avoid Stain Agents – Foods and drinks with tannins stain teeth, so try to avoid them. Notable among these are coffee, berries, red wine, and tomato sauce.
- Eat More Dairy – Since white dairy products strengthen enamel and lack dyes, they’d keep your treatment results around longer.
- Get a Follow-Up – If your whitening results are fading, get a follow-up treatment from your local dentist.
Do you want to learn more about teeth whitening? Call our dental office with your questions, or schedule an appointment with Dr. Makram. Our team always offers whiter smiles to patients in and around Naples, FL.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
While you may want teeth whitening, you should learn its price before you get treatment. (How else will you know whether the procedure fits your budget?) That said, you’ll need to see Dr. Makram for a precise estimate; the cost of teeth whitening varies by patient. Our team will then find ways to make your care affordable, walking you through pricing factors, payment options, etc. To learn more, please keep reading or call our office!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Though teeth whitening often has a set price, various factors can affect how many “sessions” you need. These include the following:
- Stain Severity – Naturally, removing very dark stains will require more whitening sessions. Such discoloration is trickier to remove over time.
- Stain Type(s) – In general, patients with extrinsic stains (i.e., those from meals, etc.) usually need fewer sessions. Intrinsic stains beneath the enamel require more.
- Prior Dental Work – Sometimes, a patient will require other dental work (crowns, fillings, etc.) before teeth whitening. These services (if needed) will add to your overall treatment price.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
The truth is that teeth whitening has several types, so the kind you get affects your expenses. The kinds available are:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening – Today’s in-office teeth whitening is the priciest option, with each session costing $400-800. Rare cases can reach up to $1000 at times.
- Take-Home Teeth Whitening – Should you get a dentist’s take-home whitening kit, you’ll spend a few hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-Counter” Teeth Whitening Trays – Since they aren’t customized for patients, store-bought whitening trays don’t cost much. Most have a price of $100 or less.
- Teeth Whitening Strips/Gels – Teeth whitening strips and gels cost the least among treatment options. All in all, most pharmacies and supermarkets only charge $20-40 per box.
Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
You’ve noticed that “pro” teeth whitening is more popular than the store-bought type despite its higher price. This trend stems from professional whiteners’ superior results.
Ultimately, cosmetic dentistry’s quality is reflected in its cost. Store-bought strips and gels are less costly because they’re less effective for your smile. On the other hand, pro-whitening comes with a higher price due to its excellent effects. Most patients can trust the latter option to make their smiles six to eight shades brighter than before.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Modern teeth whitening isn’t covered by dental insurance, but it can still be affordable regardless. You’d just need to rely on our practice’s payment options for some help! By picking the right one, your bright smile will be quite budget-friendly.
If you need an example, just look at Dr. Makram’s flexible financing program. Our office works with CareCredit and LendingClub – reputable third-party financiers. With their assistance, you could pay for your teeth whitening in manageable monthly installments. That’d be a much easier setup than covering your treatment cost all at once.
A bright grin doesn’t have to cost a fortune. To keep your treatment affordable, just visit our office – we’ll help you with the financials!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening is a completely non-invasive process, so you can expect a relatively comfortable treatment.
However, it is worth mentioning that some people experience a temporary increase in dental sensitivity after a whitening treatment. Certain foods, such as hot and cold items, could cause some discomfort. Usually, this issue lasts for only a few days. In the meantime, you can minimize it by making careful food choices and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
What Is the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Some store-bought and professional whitening treatments contain similar active ingredients. However, there are a few big differences between these two approaches to teeth whitening:
- Professional ACformulas tend to be more highly concentrated, resulting in more noticeable results in a shorter period of time.
- Professional whitening treatment is customized to each patient.
- Because professional whitening takes place under the supervision of a dentist, you can have total confidence in its safety.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Almost anyone who dislikes the color of their teeth can be a candidate for teeth whitening. It is effective on a range of types of stains, and it can result in a brighter, more confident smile.
However, teeth whitening might not be right for you if:
- You have untreated cavities or gum disease.
- You have a particular type of staining that does not respond well to bleaching formulas.
- You have veneers or crowns toward the front of your mouth.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, teeth whitening is not effective on dental crowns. That is because natural teeth are porous, so a whitening formula can penetrate the enamel to break up pigment molecules. Dental crowns, on the other hand, tend to be made of nonporous materials.
If you are unhappy with the color of your crowns, we might be able to make them slightly brighter by polishing them. Otherwise, you might need to get them replaced. Our team can also coach you on how to prevent staining on your crowns. For example, you may need to reduce your intake of highly pigmented foods and beverages, quit smoking, or make adjustments to your oral hygiene routine.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
When done properly, teeth whitening is a safe procedure that does not damage tooth enamel. Our team prioritizes the oral health of our patients, and we would never offer a service that is inherently harmful.
Keep in mind, though, that improper whitening can be harmful. For example, overuse of whitening products might damage enamel. And some DIY whitening “hacks” use abrasive ingredients that can erode tooth enamel.
Ask our team for guidance on how you can make your whitening journey as safe and low-risk as possible.
