Teeth Whitening – Gainesville, FL
Restore a Bright, Beautiful Smile
If you’ve ever felt embarrassed to smile because of stained teeth, you’re not alone. In fact, tooth discoloration is a leading concern among adults, especially as you age. Thankfully, you no longer need to feel the weight of brown or yellow teeth negatively impacting your self-esteem. As a skilled cosmetic dentist, Dr. Gabriel Nossa can revamp your smile and your confidence with Zoom! in-office teeth whitening in Gainesville, FL. After just one appointment, your pearly whites can become up to eight to ten shades brighter. Contact our dental office to schedule your consultation and get started!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Genetics can play a role in the color of your teeth; however, there are other factors at play as well, like your age. Over the years, the enamel of the teeth naturally becomes thinner, exposing the yellowish layer of dentin below. In addition, poor oral hygiene and certain lifestyle habits, like smoking or drinking coffee regularly, can stain your teeth.
No matter the cause of the discoloration, you’ve probably tried a few over-the-counter products to brighten your smile. While whitening toothpastes, strips, and mouth rinses claim to be an effective solution, they don’t contain professional-grade bleaching agents, so the results are minimal.
When you visit your cosmetic dentist in Gainesville for teeth whitening, you can expect a world of difference in the results. Plus, every treatment is personalized. This means that practically any adult who is interested in brightening their grin may be a good candidate for teeth whitening.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
To begin the teeth whitening process, you’ll need to meet with Dr. Nossa for a consultation. During this visit, he’ll make sure that whitening is the right way to get rid of your tooth stains – severe discoloration might be better addressed with another cosmetic dentistry service, such as veneers. He’ll also evaluate your oral health to ensure there aren’t anu untreated issues, such as tooth decay, that must be treated before we can focus on the aesthetics of your grin.
Usually, you can expect the whitening appointment itself to take about one hour. First, your teeth are cleaned before a protective barrier is placed on your gums and lips to avoid any irritation. The whitening agent is applied to your teeth and the special dental light is used to activate the gel for three 15-minute intervals. We’ll apply a sensitivity-reducing gel to minimize any potential discomfort. At the end of your treatment, your teeth will be noticeably whiter.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
After investing in professional teeth whitening, you’ll naturally want your results to last. To keep your smile bright, it’s best to stick to a “white diet” for the first few days following your treatment. Plain yogurt, chicken, and pasta are great options. Once this initial period has finished, try to avoid or limit foods and beverages that are notorious for discoloring teeth, such as coffee, wine, tea, and dark sauces. You should also strive to maintain excellent oral hygiene at home to prevent plaque from building up and yellowing your teeth. Lastly, be sure to visit Dr. Nossa at regular intervals for checkups and cleanings; he can also recommend whitening touch-ups to prevent your newly brightened smile from darkening again.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is an ideal way to enhance the beautiful, natural appearance of your smile. However, many people put off their treatment because they are worried about the cost. Because everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, the cost can vary. During your consultation with us, we will discuss the exact cost of your treatment so that you don’t run into any surprises. Until then, here are some things to take into consideration.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of professional teeth whitening varies on multiple factors. Here are the most prominent ones.
- Type of Discoloration: Intrinsic stains are more difficult to list than extrinsic stains, so they may require other treatments.
- Severity of Discoloration: If your teeth have dark stains, they might need additional whitening sessions to achieve your goals.
- Other Services: If you have existing dental problems, like gum disease or tooth decay, they will need to be treated and eliminated ahead of time.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are multiple teeth whitening options available. Here’s what the cost of each one typically looks like.
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: In-office teeth whitening ranges from $400 to $800. In some cases, it can be over $1000.
- Take-Home Teeth Whiteing: Professional take-home whitening kits usually cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-Counter Trays: Teeth whitening trays that you find over the counter are usually $100 or less.
- Over-the-Counter Strips/Gels: This is the cheapest teeth whitening option available. These boxes cost between $20 and $40 and contain enough product to last a couple of weeks.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
When you look at the numbers listed above, you may be wondering why anyone would choose professional teeth whitening when over-the-counter options are so much more affordable. With cosmetic dentistry, the results that you achieve are clearly reflected in the cost of the treatment that you get. If you choose cheaper strips or gels, you won’t see significant results – especially for darker discoloration. Professional teeth whitening treatments give you noticeable results in a fraction of the time. When you choose your treatment, consider the results that you are looking for and how long you are willing to wait.