Teeth Whitening – North Raleigh, NC
Leave Your Smile Gleaming Again
If there was one thing you could change about your smile, what would it be? Most dental patients immediately mention whiter teeth. In fact, it’s one of the most wished-for cosmetic dentistry treatments we encounter. Teeth whitening is safe, effective, and changes the look of smiles, quickly yielding fantastic results. If you’ve been thinking about teeth whitening, it’s time to ask Dr. Philip Lisk.
Why Choose Dr. Philip A. Lisk for Teeth Whitening?
- Quick, Efficient In-Office Whitening
- Carefully Customized Whitening Kits
- Dentist with Keen Eye for Details
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
There are a variety of reasons patients seek out teeth whitening. Teeth turn yellow over time due to many factors, including aging, tobacco use, and certain foods and drinks. Some patients may only experience a slight change in color, while others may have deep stains or discolorations. How dark your teeth become, and how quickly, depends largely on genetics and lifestyle.
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your body, and for your teeth. Patients who smoke or use chewing tobacco often have severe yellowing that’s almost impossible to remove with over-the-counter methods. Red wine, although enjoyed by many adults, can do a number on your smile. We also see some patients whose teeth are naturally darker than others, and who find that the additional discoloration incurred over the years makes them feel extremely insecure about their teeth.
At your consultation with Dr. Lisk , he will consider all of these factors, as well as your smile goals, to determine if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The process of brightening your smile will look slightly different based on which type of treatment you choose. If you’d like to learn more about in-office and take-home teeth whitening, read on!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Not all patients like the idea of having their teeth whitened while sitting in a dental chair; some would prefer to have the process done while they’re relaxing at home, reading a book, or watching television. That’s where our professional-grade Ultradent Opalescence whitening kits come in. Each kit comes with custom-made trays made by Dr. Lisk so that the whitening solution is held securely and firmly against your teeth. You’ll apply the whitening solution to the trays and wear them while you sleep (or as directed). While every patient is different, it usually takes about two weeks to start noticing the results. These kits are far more powerful and effective than anything you’ll find at your local drugstore.
In-Office Teeth Whitening with Sinsational Smile
A severely discolored smile needs professional treatment if you want to enjoy the confidence that comes with having a row of gorgeous white teeth. The Sinsational Smile whitening procedure is a simple 20-minute process that can immediately improve the brightness of your enamel by 2 to 5 shades. A silicone tray designed to conform with the shape of your mouth is filled with a special gel. After the tray is placed over your teeth, the gel is activated by an LED accelerating light. The ingredients penetrate the enamel and break up the molecules that cause stains leading to a dramatic change in a relatively short amount of time.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Maintaining your results is crucial. After all, you don’t want your teeth to look stained and yellow again within a matter of weeks, right? Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help prevent that from happening, including:
- Brushing your teeth after each meal
- Not eating tomato soup, soy sauce, and other dark-colored foods
- Using a straw when drinking coffee, soda, and wine
- Getting a checkup and cleaning every six months
- Quitting unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
- Getting touch-up treatments as needed
Teeth whitening from our North Raleigh cosmetic dentistry office can remove stains and whiten your teeth between 6 and 10 shades. This means a brighter smile you can feel confident showing off. If you’re in or around North Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Knightdale, or Westerfield, contact us for your teeth whitening appointment today.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Now that you understand more about the process of lightening your smile, it’s natural to wonder how much it costs. Most dental insurance policies don’t cover treatments that are intended to enhance your appearance more than your oral health, so it’s important to be well-informed before moving forward.
Continue reading to learn more about the types of teeth whitening and what you can expect to pay for them, and feel free to contact us for more information!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although there’s usually a set price for products and services that brighten your grin, other factors can impact how many treatments you might need to obtain your desired result. This, in turn, influences the total amount due.
Some things we consider when calculating the cost of your services are:
- The severity of your condition. Deeper stains may require multiple repetitions which increases the rate.
- The type of stains present. Extrinsic discoloration on the surface of your teeth can usually be effectively bleached, while intrinsic blemishes can’t be treated topically and might require other solutions.
- Whether additional procedures are needed. If we find signs of cavities or gum disease, we’ll need to treat those before proceeding with an elected cosmetic procedure. You’ll be responsible for the price of any other treatments.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are potentially several different ways you can lift the shade of your teeth, and they all have their own rates. For your convenience, we’ve outlined some of the possibilities below to give you an idea of what to expect:
- In-office teeth whitening procedures: These often range between $400 to $800 but, in rare cases, may exceed $1,000+, depending on your needs.
- Take-home kits: Whitening kits that include professional-grade gels and custom-fitted trays from a dentist can be a few hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-counter” kits: These can be $100 or less and include one-size-fits-all application trays.
- Store-bought strips or gels. Boxes of whitening strips are available in stores and pharmacies for about $20 to $40 per box.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
When you realize that commercially available products are less expensive than professional teeth whitening with our team, it’s natural to wonder why you should invest in a more costly solution. However, it’s important to remember that cheaper isn't always better for your smile. Many commercial options contain abrasive ingredients that can cause sensitivity, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the outcome you’re hoping for.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lisk has the training and equipment to whiten your teeth to be your ideal shade safely.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
We believe you can’t put a price on having a perfect smile, and we don’t want your budget to stand in your way. If you’re worried about how to cover the cost of your teeth whitening, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- Flexible financing. We partner with CareCredit so that you can break down your final invoice into more manageable monthly installments if your application is approved.
- Dental savings plan. We also offer an in-house membership discount plan for an annual fee of $350 that includes a 10% discount on services, including many not covered by traditional insurance plans.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
If you want to learn more about teeth whitening in North Raleigh before signing on the dotted line, don’t worry – your consultation is dedicated to reviewing the treatments we recommend, covering the financial solutions we offer, and answering any questions you have about the stain-lifting process. Of course, if you want to continue your online research in the meantime, then you can also read on to learn more about this cosmetic dental service!
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Sadly, the results of your teeth whitening treatment won’t last forever. The good news is that you can keep your smile nice and bright longer if you commit to good oral hygiene best practices, like brushing after each meal and visiting us for a checkup and cleaning twice a year. It’s also important to use a straw when drinking coffee, not use tobacco products, and avoid other habits that can yellow your teeth.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
There isn’t just one difference; there are several! To begin, store-bought whitening kits use diluted whitening agents. They also can sit on the shelves of your grocery store or pharmacy for months or years, making them even less effective. That’s why patients are often so disappointed with the results.
It’s also important that we mention that while professional teeth whitening treatments are completely customized, store-bought products aren’t. In other words, they use flimsy, one-size-fits-all applicators and don’t consider your specific case (like the cause of your discoloration or any existing dental work you have).
With all of that said, one of the biggest differences between professional and store-bought products is that the latter can lighten your teeth by a shade or two while the former can lighten your teeth by eight shades in a single visit!
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
There is a common misconception that teeth whitening will hurt. In reality, you won’t experience any discomfort in the treatment chair, and our North Raleigh dental team will go the extra mile to prevent any sensitivity following your appointment. If you’ve experienced discomfort in the past, then we can make adjustments as well, like spacing out your treatments or having you use a desensitizing toothpaste.
Is Teeth Whitening Covered By Dental Insurance?
Typically, teeth whitening treatments are not covered by dental insurance since they are elective. That’s why we offer other financial solutions, including our dental savings plan, periodic special offers, and flexible financing with CareCredit. If you would like further details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
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