Teeth Whitening – Harrisburg, PA
A Brighter Future for Your Pearly Whites
Do you dislike the way your smile looks in the mirror? Do you wish you could improve the color of your teeth? Instead of struggling with stains or discoloration in your grin, you should consider undergoing professional teeth whitening in Harrisburg! Our team can provide either an at-home or in-office treatment to effectively enhance your pearly whites while working with your schedule. Read on to learn more about this incredible and reliable cosmetic dental service or give us a call to schedule your initial consultation.
Why Choose Klein Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- Top-Tier Bleaching Solution for a Brighter Smile
- Highly-Experienced & Dedicated Dentist
- Offers Financing & In-House Membership Plans
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Generally speaking, nearly anybody who’s dealing with a discolored or stained smile can be a good candidate for teeth whitening. The best way to know for certain if this treatment is right for you is by visiting us for your consultation appointment. During this time, we’ll go over your medical and dental history, evaluate your oral health, and discuss your smile goals. Based on what we see, we’ll be able to develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your dream look efficiently and safely.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
In your initial consultation, our team will walk you through the two methods for teeth whitening. Though they are both effective and provide dazzling results, they do have some differences you’ll want to consider. Here’s what you can expect from your options:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you’d rather brighten your smile at your leisure or in the comfort of your home, then an at-home teeth whitening kit may be the ideal solution for you. We’ll provide you with professional-grade bleaching agents and custom-made trays that you’ll use over a couple of weeks. You’ll fill the trays with the special gel and wear them for a certain period every day, allowing you to improve your smile by several shades.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
For patients who are on the go or require fast results, an in-office teeth whitening procedure would be best. Our team will utilize the same professional bleaching agents to enhance the color of your pearly whites, which will only take about an hour to blast away the majority of stubborn stains. Afterward, you’ll be free to show off your newly brightened teeth for many months to come!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Now that you’ve enhanced your teeth the way you’ve always wanted, you’ll want to take certain steps to preserve your results. To make the most of your treatment, make sure to practice the following tips:
- Implement good oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day.
- See your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings.
- Minimize your exposure to dark-colored meals and drinks (like coffee, tea, and soy sauce).
- Avoid poor oral habits like using your teeth as tools or smoking.
- Ask our team about at-home touchups to preserve your whitened smile.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
One of the first questions many patients have when they’re considering professional teeth whitening is how much it costs. Although these services typically do have a set price, there are other factors that can influence the final amount due. Before we can provide you with an estimate, you’ll need to consult with one of our providers. Then, we’re happy to offer detailed information and walk you through it for your approval before proceeding.
Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect to pay for a brighter smile, and feel free to contact us with any questions.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening typically has a set pricing structure, but you might not owe the same amount as someone else because the total owed can depend on your unique circumstances. A few factors that can influence the rate include:
- The severity of the discoloration. Those with darkly tinted teeth might require additional treatments to achieve their desired outcome than someone with a minor issue.
- The type of staining. Extrinsic stains on the surface caused by exposure to certain foods and drinks can usually be bleached away relatively easily. However, blemishes in the lower layers (intrinsic) might not be as responsive to a topical treatment.
- Whether additional services are required. If we find cavities or gum disease, we’ll need to address those first. You’re required to cover the cost of any necessary treatments.
Types of Teeth Whitening and What They Cost
There are potentially several ways to achieve a brighter smile, and they all have their own pricing structures. Below, we’ve put together a brief outline of what you can expect to spend on each method:
- In-office whitening. This service often ranges from about $400 to $800, though it can reach $1,000+ depending on your circumstances.
- Professional-grade take-home kits. We offer kits that include concentrated gels and custom-fitted trays for optimal results at home for a few hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-counter” whitening trays. Some stores carry one-size-fits-all whitening trays for $100 or less.
- Store-bought whitening strips. You can find boxes of strips or gels for $20 to $40 at many pharmacies.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic service because it’s intended to enhance your appearance more than your oral health. As a result, many insurance policies don’t cover the cost and so many people try over-the-counter options, first. Unfortunately, commercial products often contain cheaper bleaching agents that don’t provide the desired results. Furthermore, if overapplied or misused, it can cause sensitivity.
Our team will examine your mouth first and ensure it’s healthy before we proceed, and then we can give you better results. For example, we can often lighten your grin by several shades with a single in-office appointment, and our professional-grade take-home kits can give you top-quality results within a week or two.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
We know that many patients consider their budget first when deciding whether to undergo an elected procedure, but we don’t want your wallet to keep you from having the smile you’ve always dreamed of. If you’re concerned about affording teeth whitening, you might benefit from one of the following options:
- In-House Memberships. For a low annual or monthly fee, you gain access to free and discounted services that aren’t always covered by insurance, without deductibles, waiting periods, or annual maximums.
- Flexible Financing. You can apply CareCredit or Proceed Finance so that, if you’re approved, you can break up your final invoice into more manageable installments.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
You can rest easy; teeth whitening doesn’t hurt. In fact, dentists work to ensure it’s painless. You’ll then enjoy a smooth and comfortable treatment.
You see, the whitening gel is truly pain-free. It shouldn’t irritate your teeth or nearby gums. Plus, the dentist will tailor the amount of gel used. This approach makes tooth sensitivity highly unlikely.
Of course, let us know if you’re prone to sensitivity. We’ll do everything possible to reduce that risk. For example, our team may suggest that you space out treatments, avoid hot drinks, or use a specialty toothpaste.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Luckily, no – teeth whitening doesn’t damage healthy enamel. It should remain harmless to your pearly whites. As such, it won’t put your oral health at risk.
For starters, whitening gel isn’t corrosive. It can’t wear down enamel like other liquids might. Instead, it simply removes stains from the tooth layer. You’ll then enjoy a grin that’s six to eight shades whiter!
All that said, teeth affected by decay or gum disease are different. Whitening chemicals may harm such compromised chompers. You should thus get a dental exam before treatment. A dentist can confirm if your smile is well enough for brightening.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Sadly enough, whitening doesn’t work on dental crowns. The caps can’t be brightened like natural teeth. If you treat a smile with pre-existing crowns, the result will be a smile with different colors.
The issue comes down to how whitening works. Normally, its bleaching gel seeps into the enamel to remove tooth stains. In contrast, dental crowns aren’t porous; their material won’t let gel inside. That means treatment would only affect uncrowned teeth.
Still, there are potential workarounds for this issue. You could get whitening before a crown procedure. That way, you could select a cap that matches your now-bright grin. Alternatively, you could replace your crown with one matching your white smile.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Unlike other cosmetic options, teeth whitening is pretty fast. The treatment process can be wrapped up in little time. That said, the exact timeline varies by the type of whitening.
For example, consider in-office whitening. This option only requires a single dental visit. At this one-hour session, a dentist directly applies the whitener to your teeth. From there, your pearly whites should live up to their nickname.
On the other hand, take-home whitening needs more time. You must wear bleaching trays for two weeks before results appear. Even so, its effects are quite similar to the in-office choice. Your chompers will be camera-ready by the time you’re done.