Tooth stains can occur for many reasons and are a natural part of the aging process. Your genetics, what medications you take, and lifestyle habits play a large role in how quickly you develop discoloration.
Our cosmetic dentists provide two convenient options to give you whiter teeth in a manner that fits your schedule and price range. The in-office teeth bleaching option we offer gives you up to eight shades of improvement in approximately 60 minutes. Our customized at-home whitening trays can be used as much or as little as you’d like.
If you’re interested in teeth whitening, please contact Highpoint Dental Care in Aurora today at 303-617-9100 to discuss your cosmetic dentistry options. Dr. Baltz and Dr. Rowe provide general, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry to patients in the Aurora area including Parker, Centennial, and Green Valley Ranch, Colorado.
Your Teeth Whitening Options
Teeth bleaching is our preferred method for most patients looking for a brighter smile. It can be done in time for a special event such as a wedding or corporate gathering. It can also be done as much as you’d like. You may be tempted to try over-the-counter whitening products, or perhaps you already have, but these gels, trays, and toothpastes have weaker solutions than professional whitening treatments and may cause gum irritation, uneven results, and tooth sensitivity.
The at-home whitening option works well for patients who want a gradual whitening on their own time. Using an impression of your teeth created in a dental lab the whitening trays are formed to fit your bite, giving you consistent results that don’t affect your tooth enamel or gums. The trays must be worn for a few hours each night for at least a week or longer. They are portable, making it easier for you to whiten your teeth while you travel.
How Teeth Whitening Works
The teeth whitening process causes no discomfort and is completed quickly. Our in-office whitening treatments can be done within an hour during a teeth cleaning or as a separate visit to our Aurora office. Dr. Rowe and Dr. Baltz will examine your teeth and gums to make sure your oral health is intact before we begin your teeth whitening.
Professional-grade whitening solutions contain hydrogen peroxide which breaches the outer layer of your teeth (enamel). This instigates the oxidation process, which alters the chemical makeup of your teeth, causing them to reflect less light and rendering them “colorless” so your teeth appear whiter. This whitening process is the most effective option for getting rid of tooth stains and can be repeated as often as necessary.
Some tooth stains may be resistant to the teeth bleaching procedure, but there are alternative options such as porcelain veneers. Veneers involve a thin, porcelain shell that is placed over one or more of your existing teeth. If you’re a smoker, this could be the best option for you as your teeth won’t yellow or stain with veneers.
Teeth whitening and porcelain veneers can be combined in a smile makeover to address all of your concerns at once.
Teeth whitening is our recommended first step for patients looking for cosmetic correction. That way your smile is as bright as you’d like before we begin the veneer, crown, or dental implant process. These cosmetic dentistry procedures all involve matching the shade of porcelain or ceramic to the color of your natural teeth.
If we don’t begin with the whitening treatments, then your dental restorations will be matched to your yellow teeth, making it difficult and expensive to brighten your smile in the future.
Common Teeth Whitening Concerns:
Patients often have questions and concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of teeth whitening, including:
- Tooth Sensitivity: You may or may not experience temporary tooth sensitivity following your whitening treatments, but this typically goes away in one to two days. If your teeth are already sensitive, they will likely remain sensitive.
- Longevity of Results: How long your whitening results last will depend on your lifestyle habits. Drinking coffee, tea, and red wine can cause your teeth to stain again, as does smoking. Avoiding those behaviors can help your teeth whitening last anywhere from six months to two years. In some cases, results can still be seen ten years later.
- Safety: Professional tooth whitening is proven to be safe. However, over-the-counter options can increase tooth sensitivity and cause your enamel to erode.
- Cosmetic Dentistry Costs: Our dentists believe in transparency when it comes to the procedures we offer and their cost. The price for teeth whitening varies depending on several factors. Extensive treatments in our office to whiten your teeth eight shades or more may cost up to $1,000, but the range tends to be $300-$800. The at-home whitening trays customize to fit your bite can also run $300-$800. Highpoint Dental Care offers financing options to help you achieve your desired smile.
Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Treatment in Aurora
If you’re interested in a brighter smile, please contact Dr. Rowe and Dr. Baltz in Aurora today at 303-617-9100 to see if teeth whitening is right for you. Highpoint Dental Care serves patients in Aurora, Centennial, Parker, and Green Valley Ranch, Colorado.
