Teeth Whitening – Ocala, FL
Remove Stubborn Stains, Transform Your Smile!
Whitening your smile can be one of the quickest and least expensive ways to look and feel younger. Dr. Weldon would be happy to discuss the details of teeth whitening in Ocala, providing a professional opinion on the predictability of this treatment in your individual scenario. Feel free to contact our team at Weldon Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala via our website to schedule a consultation, or keep reading to learn more about this smile-enhancing service!
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most people who are struggling with stained or discolored teeth are eligible for this service. However, the only way to know for sure whether or not you’re a candidate is by having a consultation with our team at Weldon Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala. At your appointment, we’ll conduct an oral examination and inquire about your goals to determine if this is the right choice for you. If your teeth and gums are in good shape, we’ll begin working on your custom treatment plan.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
We offer different whitening options, from fast in-office treatments like Opalescence Boost to at-home products that can whiten your smile while respecting your budget. Unlike store-bought whitening kits, our kits include professional-strength whitening solutions and custom-fit trays for better, faster, longer-lasting results. Below is some clarifying information about the types of teeth whitening we offer:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
The most common teeth whitening procedures utilize custom-fabricated whitening trays that are designed by your dentist. These trays are placed over the teeth in the upper and lower arch. A small line of the prescription whitening gel is then placed in the tray. The trays are then worn for the prescribed time daily. The tray is specifically designed from impressions made from the teeth.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
The second way to whiten teeth is an in-office method. Weldon Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala utilizes Opalescence Boost technology. After placing a protective layer of material on the gum tissue, this high-strength whitening material is placed over the teeth for a short period of time. This can be done one time, but often multiple applications are required. The entire process can be completed in less than an hour. From there, Dr. Weldon will provide you with Opalescence whitening gel to take home for touch-ups.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Your bright results can last anywhere between a few months to a few years depending on how well you take care of your smile. That said, here are some steps you can take to preserve your newly improved grin:
- Practice good oral hygiene (i.e., brush twice a day, floss daily, rinse with mouthwash regularly)
- Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning
- Reduce your intake of dark-colored foods and drinks (i.e., soda, red wine, tea, soy sauce, curry)
- Avoid poor dental habits like smoking and using tobacco products
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
If you’re tired of dull or yellowed teeth, whitening treatments can be a huge boost to your mood and your self-esteem. However, many patients worry about the money barrier when considering cosmetic enhancements. This is mostly because it’s nearly impossible to find insurance plans that will cover them. That’s why at Weldon Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala, we’re dedicated to helping you get the information you need to prepare your finances. Read more below to see more about the financial aspects of teeth whitening.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Our teeth whitening treatments have a base price that is set, but every case is unique. This is why it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact cost without first going through a consultation with Dr. Weldon. Here are some of the factors that can influence the price of your whitening procedure:
- The severity of your stains and whether they’re on the surface of your teeth (extrinsic) or within the enamel (intrinsic). This can affect the number of treatments you need.
- The types of discoloration visible on your teeth. Stains from medications or dead teeth won’t be affected by whitening treatments.
- Whether any other dental procedures, such as fillings or crowns, are needed before whitening. This is because exposed decay can become painful when exposed to whitening agents.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
The cost of teeth whitening can vary depending on the method you choose:
- Store-bought whitening strips or gels are the most affordable options, typically costing $20-$40 per box, with enough product for up to two weeks of treatment.
- Over-the-counter whitening trays are mass-produced and come with basic whitening gel. These typically cost $100 or less.
- Our professional take-home whitening kits with custom-fit trays for better, faster results usually cost a few hundred dollars.
- If you want the fastest and most brilliant results, our In-office teeth whitening typically costs between $400 and $800. In rare cases, the cost may exceed $1,000 due to specific circumstances, but these are rare.
Fast Teeth Whitening vs. Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
When considering teeth whitening options, it's important to weigh the cost against the quality and speed of results. While cheaper options like strips and gels may seem appealing, they often produce minimal results, especially for severe discoloration. Using these cheaper options multiple times can also lead to tooth sensitivity and enamel wear, so they can’t ever achieve professional results.
Our teeth whitening treatments, however, can lighten tooth enamel by several shades in a very short time. If you come into the office for treatment, we can deliver fantastic results in just one visit! However, if you’d rather brighten your teeth in comfort, our take-home kits can be effective within a week or two.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Our team is dedicated to helping you get the bright and gleaming grin you’ve always wanted. However, we also understand that achieving fast and lasting results with professional whitening isn’t in everyone’s budget. This is why we proudly accept CareCredit from qualifying patients. This service allows you to pay for your treatment upfront and pay it off in more easily managed installments with low-to-no-interest. If you’re struggling with your smile, but don’t think you can afford whitening treatment, CareCredit is a fantastic option!
Don’t let your finances keep you from brighter, healthier-looking teeth. Our team at Weldon Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala is ready and willing to work with you to find a financial solution that fits your needs.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
If you’re unhappy with the color of your smile, you may be thinking about getting teeth whitening in Ocala. It’s a fast, effective, and affordable way to improve your appearance. Of course, it’s completely normal to have a few concerns about the treatment even after reading through the information given above. At Weldon Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry of Ocala, we've decided to answer some frequently asked questions we receive from patients. If you don’t see your specific question below, feel free to reach out!
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Many patients are hesitant to move forward with cosmetic treatment because they’re worried it will hurt. However, you’re much less likely to experience any discomfort during teeth whitening because every treatment is tailored to each patient. If your teeth are prone to sensitivity, make sure you let our team know at your consultation. We can space out your treatment sessions or offer advice (i.e., avoiding hot beverages and using specialty toothpaste) to help you avoid the unpleasant sensation.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Only treatments administered by a licensed professional are considered extremely safe. If you’re using products that aren’t FDA- or ADA-approved, they haven’t undergone rigorous testing and could potentially damage your oral health. That’s why it’s crucial to only use products designed specifically for your mouth. You should also strive to seek treatment from a dental professional who’s qualified to perform teeth whitening.
What Causes Dental Discoloration?
There are two variations of stains that can discolor teeth. Intrinsic stains are those that develop with time and are formed on the inside of the teeth. These stains can be formed from trauma, aging, smoking, or excessive ingestion of fluoride. There are also extrinsic stains that are formed by deposits on the teeth from smoking, coffee, or other foods and drinks. Whitening has the ability to remove both types of stains.
Tobacco has proven to be a major contributing factor in teeth staining and discoloration. Nicotine leaves lasting deposits in the actual tooth structure that will slowly soak in and stain. Beverages and even certain foods have the ability to stain the teeth. Tea, red wine, coffee, and colas, for example, have properties that can discolor teeth. Finally, erosion from acidic food or beverages can wear away the thin coating of tooth enamel, allowing the yellow-tinted dentin beneath the enamel to show through and make teeth appear more discolored and yellow.
The most common whitening agents utilize bleaching chemicals (generally hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to reach down into the enamel layers and start a chemical reaction (specifically, an oxidation reaction) which breaks apart and removes the staining compounds.
What’s the Difference Between Professional Whitening Treatments and Store-Bought Products?
It seems that every dental care product in the supermarket now has the word “whitening” somewhere on the package. Many of the advertisements claim that they offer tremendous results. Is there truth to this? Do these products actually work? The truth is that there is some effect to these products. The results, however, are very minimal. There are a few reasons for this.
First, the over-the-counter products use diluted strengths of the whitening agent. If the teeth become whiter, it is often minimal and it takes many repeated applications. Professional whitening products offered by Weldon Dentistry utilize a much stronger formula. This provides results in a much more efficient manner.
The second major difference is the whitening tray. The over-the-counter products for teeth whitening with trays are not specifically designed to fit your teeth. Most products will either use strips or include a stock tray that is designed to provide a marginal fit for the masses. This can pose problems because the gel can be absent in some areas with an overabundance in others. This will result in uneven results and often sensitivity to the gums because much of the product leaks out.
Third, Dr. Weldon is trained to determine the proper amount of teeth whitening that should be done for each patient. Some teeth can only be whitened to a certain degree before it increases in translucency. Dentists offer tried-and-true methods that have been proven to deliver terrific results.
The reality of the situation is that if you want whiter teeth in a predictable fashion, professional products are much more effective.