Teeth Whitening – Oklahoma City, OK
Brighter Smiles. Brighter Futures.
A brighter smile can take years off of a person’s appearance and significantly boost self-esteem. One study found that after teeth whitening, patients were more likely to receive job offers, and at a higher pay rate too! Plus, your image is important to your relationships, career, and social life. Fortunately, teeth whitening in Oklahoma City presents an economical and effective way to invest in your image. If you want to learn more about this cosmetic dental service, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Holman or read on.
Why Choose Dental Expressions for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office & At-Home Whitening Available
- Flexible Financing to Ensure Affordability
- Cozy Dental Office for Added Comfort
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Right for Me?
Over-the-counter whitening systems work for some people. However, the diluted brightening agents can really only lighten your teeth by a shade or two. If you’re looking for more immediate, dramatic results, then talk to our Oklahoma City dental team about professional teeth whitening. With our in-office and take-home treatments, we can remove stains from tea, coffee, wine, dark foods, tobacco, and even tetracycline medications. In short, if you’ve had limited success with drugstore whitening, ask Dr. Holman about professional teeth whitening!
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At our Oklahoma City dental office, we offer our patients two effective, safe, and reliable teeth whitening treatments: take-home and in-office. Below, you’ll find a little more information on each:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Unlike store-bought whitening kits, our take-home treatments include concentrated whitening agents and custom-fitted trays. As a result, you can get the same results as an in-office treatment but from the comfort of your couch!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you can’t wait a week or two to see the results, then ask us about our in-office teeth whitening treatment. In this case, we’ll handle the entire process for you, including applying the brightening agents to your teeth. In an hour or so, you’ll have a noticeably brighter smile!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Sadly, the results of your teeth whitening treatment won’t last forever. For that reason, we recommend taking proactive measures to keep your smile nice and bright, including:
- Avoiding smoking and other unhealthy dental habits.
- Implement a solid oral hygiene regimen, including flossing consistently.
- Using a straw when drinking tea, wine, coffee, and other dark-colored beverages.
- Eating white and light-colored foods, like oatmeal and yogurt.
- Visiting us every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
- Getting touch-up whitening treatments as needed.
Are you ready to schedule your consultation with Dr. Holman to find out if you’re a candidate for professional teeth whitening? Do you have a question that you’d like to speak directly with our team about? Either way, the next step is simple: give us a call!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Brightening your smile can enhance your appearance and boost your confidence, but you might hesitate to schedule your treatment if you’re worried you can’t afford it. Many patients want to know in advance what they might expect to pay to achieve the ideal shade, but the total amount due depends significantly on your unique circumstances.
Continue reading to learn how the pricing of teeth whitening is determined, and please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening treatments usually have a predetermined rate, different factors can impact how many procedures you’ll need to obtain the desired results, such as:
- Whether you require other procedures. If Dr. Holman finds signs of cavities or gum disease during your examination, you’ll be responsible for paying for any additional services needed to address them.
- The type of discoloration. Extrinsic stains on the outer layer of enamel tend to respond better to topical treatments than deeply seated intrinsic blemishes, which are more likely to require multiple applications to minimize.
- The severity of your condition. Patients with slightly off-white teeth may only need to pay for a single whitening treatment, while those with darker smiles might require multiple treatments, increasing the overall cost.
Types of Teeth Whitening and What They Usually Cost
There are several whitening methods that can potentially upgrade your grin, and each comes with its own price range, outlined in more detail below:
- In-office procedures. Dr. Holman can lighten your smile by up to eight shades in a single, one-hour office procedure, which can range from about $400 to $800 or more, depending on your circumstances.
- Take-home kits. Our team also provides professional-grade supplies so you can achieve ideal results from your living room, often for several hundred dollars.
- Store-bought trays. One-size-fits-all applicators can sometimes be purchased for $100 or less.
- Commercial-grade kits. Many stores and pharmacies carry boxes of bleaching strips or gels for about $20 to $40.
Commercial vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s only natural to wonder whether it’s worth investing time and resources in professional teeth whitening when there are more cost-effective options available at your local corner store. However, when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality of a given product is often reflected in its price.
For example, many over-the-counter whiteners contain diluted bleaching agents that are less effective, and one-size-fits-all applicators that leave plenty of room for error. That means they don’t always produce consistent or reliable results, and you might develop sensitivity by overusing or misapplying harsh ingredients to your enamel or gums.
Meanwhile, our team uses professional-grade gels designed to mitigate potential sensitivity and provide custom-fitted trays for a more comfortable and accurate outcome.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening More Affordable
Most dental insurance policies don’t cover teeth whitening because it’s a cosmetic service intended to improve your looks more than your oral health. However, our team believes that everyone deserves to have a healthy, beautiful smile they can feel proud of, regardless of their budget.
If you’re afraid you can’t afford to brighten your grin, you might benefit from CareCredit. If your application is approved, these little-to-no-interest payment plans allow you to divvy your total invoice into more manageable installments over a designated period.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Teeth whitening in Oklahoma City can turn back the clock to reveal a white, bright smile. Don’t worry if you have a few concerns about teeth whitening. Dr. Colin Holman will explain everything during your initial consultation. You can also take a look at the most frequently asked questions below or contact our office to speak with a member of our dental team.
Does Teeth Whitening Cause Tooth Sensitivity?
Teeth whitening shouldn’t cause any discomfort if your teeth and gums are healthy. Whitening systems are formulated to minimize any unwanted sensations. Dr. Holman can also cater your treatment for your comfort, so let him know during your consultation if you’re prone to sensitivity. He may recommend desensitizing toothpaste to block any pain. Avoid hot, cold, or acidic foods and drinks for 24 hours.
Does Teeth Whitening Ruin Your Enamel?
When under the supervision of a dental professional and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, teeth whitening will not damage your enamel. However, overusing whitening products can harm your teeth, including products available OTC. Many are abrasive, which can erode your enamel over time. As a result, your teeth will look darker from more of your yellowish dentin showing through your enamel. You’ll also be at risk of tooth decay and sensitivity. Your cosmetic dentist in Oklahoma City will ensure your teeth and gums are healthy before whitening treatments to prevent any damage to your pearly whites.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Dr. Holman will not recommend using whitening systems on dental crowns because the ingredients can weaken the bonding material over time. Not to mention, dental restorations aren’t porous, like enamel, so whitening treatments won’t change their color. Instead, your natural teeth will become whiter, while your dental crown will be unchanged, causing it to stand out. Dr. Holman can create a safe and effective solution to resolve discoloration and ensure consistent results.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Teeth whitening results can last for many months or years, depending on many factors. You can get the most from your investment by brushing your teeth at least twice daily for 2 minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss every day to remove food residue and plaque. Limit your consumption of sugars and starches to keep your enamel strong and healthy. Moderate dark foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, like coffee, red wine, and berries. Commit to visiting your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. Dr. Holman will keep your mouth healthy and your smile looking its best. He can provide you with a touch-up kit to maintain your results.
