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Teeth Whitening—San Antonio, TX

Get a Bright Smile with Teeth Whitening

woman with white smileHas your smile lost its luster? Over the years, you have noticed your teeth are not as white as they used to be. Tooth discoloration is a normal part of the aging process, but it can be amplified by poor oral hygiene, smoking, or the foods and drinks you consume. To reverse the appearance of stains, over-the-counter products often seem like the perfect remedy, but you will be left feeling disappointed. At Laith Family Dentistry, we can help you achieve the drastic results you want with professional teeth whitening in San Antonio.

Causes of Discoloration

before and after teeth whiteningAs you age, your enamel becomes thinner, causing more of the dentin to be visible. This makes your teeth to appear yellow and aged. While this is unavoidable, there are several factors that can make the issue worse, like poor oral hygiene or eating darkly pigmented foods. Not to mention, tobacco use in any form can lead to browning or staining of your teeth.

Reversing Tooth Discoloration

teeth whitening familyNow, there are several over-the-counter products that claim to reverse tooth discoloration, like whitening strips and toothpastes. Although they appear to be the perfect solution, they will not give you the results you want. They do not contain professional-grade whitening agents, so they cannot penetrate the enamel. It will only lighten surface stains and the results will not last.

The only way to achieve a noticeable improvement is with a whitening treatment from your cosmetic dentist in San Antonio. After performing an initial consultation to ensure you are a candidate, a customized treatment plan is created.

During the process, a protective barrier is applied to your lips and gums to prevent any irritation to the soft tissues. A highly concentrated whitening agent is put on your teeth and a special light is used to activate it. It deeply penetrates your enamel to resolve stubborn stains. After just one appointment, your teeth will be 6 to 10 shades whiter.

Protecting Your New Smile

With the right aftercare, your new smile can stay bright for several years. To lock in the results, it is best to stick to a white diet for 48 hours following your procedure because your pores are still open. Afterward, it is ideal to limit your contact with stain-causing foods and drinks, like coffee, berries, and tea. If you cannot skip your morning cup of coffee, be sure to brush your teeth afterward or rinse your mouth with water.

To remove stain-causing particles from your teeth, brush them twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste for at least two minutes. Take the time to floss in between each tooth before going to bed.

In addition to your home oral hygiene habits, visit your dentist in San Antonio twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. We will check the health of your teeth and gums, and we can also provide you with a touchup kit to maintain your bright smile.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

smiling woman teeth whitening in San Antonio

Before you go all-in on any dental treatment, certainly you’ll want to be clear on what it’s going to cost. Below, we’ll touch on all the factors that impact the cost of teeth whitening in San Antonio. While it can vary from patient to patient, gaining a better understanding of the elements involved will help you know what to expect prior to your smile rejuvenation.

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Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

illustration of before and after teeth whitening in San Antonio

While professional teeth whitening treatment has a preset cost, there are aspects regarding the particular patient that can make it more or less expensive, such as:

  • Preparatory treatments: If a patient has cavities or gum disease, these will need to be addressed first. Otherwise, teeth whitening may lead to further problems and may not yield optimal results.
  • The degree of discoloration: Severely stained teeth may require multiple treatments for the patient to achieve their desired shade.
  • The cause and location of the discoloration: Are your teeth stained due to an age-related issue or a medication you take? Is the staining located on the enamel surface or within your tooth?

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

take home teeth whitening in San Antonio

  • Professional Take-Home Whitening Kit: For this, the dentist creates a customized set of trays and provides professional-strength whitening gel for the patient to use at home. Altogether, it usually costs a few hundred dollars.
  • Professional In-Office Whitening: The cost of in-office teeth whitening generally ranges from $400-800.
  • Store-Bought Whitening Kit: These trays and gel are available in most grocery stores and pharmacies, and the cost typically spans from $20-100.
  • Whitening Strips & Gels: This is easily the cheapest option. Strips in particular usually cost $20-40 for a box that lasts two weeks.

Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening

illustration trying to decide teeth whitening in San Antonio

If you prioritize cost when you pursue teeth whitening in San Antonio, your wallet may appreciate it, but the impact on your smile likely won’t be what you were hoping for. Why is that the case?

For one, the products used by your dentist are several times stronger than anything you can find at the store. This enables your dentist to deliver much better, more noticeable results upon your smile. Also, the exam your dentist performs before proceeding with whitening treatment may be crucial. It could prevent you from accidentally irritating your mouth due to a cavity or infection that snuck under your radar.

While a professional treatment might be more expensive upfront, odds are you’ll end up enjoying your smile more and spending much less cash in the long term because you won’t have to bother with touch-ups every few weeks.

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

affordable hand marker for teeth whitening in San Antonio

Because teeth whitening is considered an elective procedure, it is very rarely covered by dental insurance. Fortunately, here at Laith Family Dentistry, you don’t have to pay for the treatment entirely upfront.

If you need help, you can break up the cost with CareCredit’s low-to-no-interest financing. When you contact our office, be sure to let us know if you are interested in utilizing CareCredit, and we’ll help you find a plan to boost your smile without breaking your budget.

You should also know that for a limited time we offer free teeth whitening for life! Check it out on our website.

Teeth Whitening FAQs

Woman pointing to her smile after teeth whitening in San Antonio, TX

A brighter, more dazzling smile could easily be yours thanks to professional teeth whitening at Laith Family Dentistry! If you’re interested in using this cosmetic treatment to enhance your grin, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation. We can answer any questions you might have so that you can figure out if whitening is right for you. Before you reach out, you can check the FAQs below to see if you can find the answers you’re looking for.

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Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Many people choose to have teeth whitening performed to get rid of stains and discolored spots that can’t be removed with other methods. To know for sure whether this cosmetic procedure is a good choice for you, you can schedule a consultation at our office. We can examine your teeth, consider your smile goals, and help you figure out what your best options for treatment are.

You will need healthy teeth and gums before we can begin working on your custom whitening plan. If you are currently suffering from gum disease, it will need to be treated first.

Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are different from your natural teeth, so whitening gels don’t work on them. If you’re dissatisfied with the shade of your crown, the only viable solution is to have it replaced entirely. It’s best to wait to get a new crown after whitening is complete; that way, your restoration can be customized to match your newly brightened teeth.

You should always tell us about any existing dental work before you have any teeth whitening done. The ingredients in whitening gels can weaken the adhesives that keep your crown attached to your teeth; it’s therefore important for us to account for the restorations you already have before we move forward with your cosmetic treatment.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?

Our in-office whitening treatment can be completed in just one appointment, allowing you to dramatically brighten your smile in a short amount of time. Compared to over-the-counter whitening options, a professional treatment is much faster. Keep in mind, though, that particularly stubborn or extensive stains might need multiple treatments. At the beginning of the whitening process, please let us know if there’s an upcoming event you want to get ready for so that we can account for it when putting together your treatment plan.

Does Teeth Whitening Qualify for FSA?

FSA is short for Flexible Spending Account, which is an employer-sponsored program that aids employees in paying for their medical expenses with tax-free dollars. However, teeth whitening is an elective procedure that doesn’t qualify as a medical expense; as such, you typically won’t be able to use your FSA to cover the cost. That said, it can be used to pay for biannual cleanings, which can go a long way toward helping the results of teeth whitening last as long as possible.

Restore a White Smile Today!

You do not have to feel insecure about a discolored smile. Turn back the hands of time with a professional whitening treatment. Contact Laith Family Dentistry today to schedule your consultation.