Teeth Whitening – Middleburg Heights, OH
A Quicker Way to a Brighter Smile
No matter how hard you try, the color of your teeth may not be what you hope to see when looking in the mirror each day. Stains can develop as a result of worn tooth enamel, dark-colored beverages and foods, poor oral hygiene, or even genetics. While it does not matter the cause of your intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration, Kirlough Family Dentistry can help you take control of your smile by offering teeth whitening in Middleburg Heights. Offering both in-office and take-home whitening kits, you can brighten your smile in less time and see noticeable beautiful results. If you are interested in learning more about what we offer, review the information below and contact us when you’re ready to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Kirlough Family Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office and Take-Home Whitening Kits Available
- Safe and Effective Whitening Brands for Optimal Results
- Late Evening and Saturday Appointments Available
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
The only way to know for sure if you are qualified to receive teeth whitening is to meet with Dr. Kirlough to discuss your eligibility. Most individuals who have stains and discoloration are likely candidates for this type of treatment; however, once we’re able to review your medical history and determine if you have good gum health, you’ll be given the choice of in-office or take-home teeth whitening. Our team will formulate a personalized treatment plan to ensure you understand how you can expect to start seeing a noticeably whiter smile.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At Kirlough Family Dentistry, your cosmetic dentist in Middleburg Heights will explain how you can choose between our VenusWhite Max in-office treatment or Poladay CP take-home whitening kits. Both are capable of producing beautiful results; however, the timeline for each is different.
Take-Home Whitening
If you would rather whiten your smile in the convenience of your own home, our Poladay CP take-home trays are an excellent way to see whiter, brighter teeth. Using customized whitening trays that come with high-grade bleaching gel, you will wear them for a designated amount of time each day for two weeks. After you are finished, your smile should be noticeably brighter.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you would rather have Dr. Kirlough handle your whitening experience, we can use VenusWhite Max, which is safe and effective. In just about one hour, your teeth will appear much brighter than before, giving you a new reason to smile. The bleaching gel penetrates your tooth enamel and blasts away stains and discoloration below the surface.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
When choosing to whiten your smile, it’s imperative that you take the necessary steps to keep your teeth looking their best for as long as possible. You can do this by:
- Limiting your exposure to dark-colored beverages and food (i.e., soda, coffee, tea, red wine, curry, soy sauce, etc.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene at home by brushing and flossing as well as rinsing regularly.
- Continuing to see your cosmetic dentist for regular checkups and cleanings to ensure no problems are developing.
- Avoiding unhealthy habits that can weaken your tooth enamel and cause additional discoloration (i.e., smoking, biting your fingernails, using your teeth as tools).
- Inquire about at-home touch-ups you can use to maintain your results.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
If you're embarrassed by tooth stains, you don't have to be rich to revamp your pearly whites. Teeth whitening is affordable for all budgets. Many factors affect the cost of teeth whitening, but Dr. Kirlough offers the financial solutions you need to achieve lasting improvement without draining your bank account.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
There's no flat fee for teeth whitening because every situation is unique. Several things can influence the amount you'll pay. You'll require a consultation with Dr. Kirlough to determine the source and type of staining you're experiencing. Teeth whitening is recommended for surface and age-related discoloration.
He will also check for any untreated dental issues, like cavities or gum disease. Your teeth and gums must be healthy. Your estimate will include any prep work, like a dental cleaning, filling, or gum disease treatment. The whitening system you choose will also influence the amount you'll pay.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
You have multiple options to combat stains and discoloration. Dr. Kirlough will review your options and their costs during your consideration:
- In-Office Teeth Whitening: Your teeth can get 8 shades whiter in about 1 hour with an in-office treatment. A protective barrier is placed over your gums and lips before applying a highly concentrated whitening agent to your teeth. A special dental light is used for three 15-minute intervals to break down tooth stains.
- At-Home Teeth Whitening: Kirlough will give you everything you need to achieve in-office results from home. You'll use the trays and whitening gel daily for about 2 weeks. Your teeth will get whiter gradually.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
OTC whitening products are widely available for convenience, but you may as well throw your money in the trash. They don't provide professional strength whitening agents, so any improvement is minimal and won't last long. This can lead to overusing them to try to reach the results you want, which can damage your teeth.
When you choose a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening, you're investing in noticeable, lasting results. You'll benefit from significant improvement and your dazzling new smile can last for months or years with the right maintenance, like brushing and flossing.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Your financial situation shouldn't stand in your way of achieving a beautiful, confident smile. Dr. Kirlough accepts many payment options, including:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, credit cards, and personal checks.
- Dental Insurance: Dental insurance doesn't cover teeth whitening because it's elective. However, your insurance may pay some of the expenses for your consultation or any prep work.
- Financing: You can pay any out-of-pocket expenses using a monthly payment plan through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.
- Membership Plan: You can benefit from discounted rates by joining our in-house membership plan.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Whitening?
Store-bought whitening options tend to be cheaper, but this doesn’t necessarily make them the better choice. Professional whitening is customizable, meaning your dentist can make any adjustments necessary to help you get the results you’re aiming for. Also, a professional treatment is generally safer, thanks in no small part to the fact that a knowledgeable dental expert is more closely involved. And of course, you can usually expect faster, more reliable results with a professional approach.
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
It goes without saying that you’re likely a good candidate for teeth whitening if you’re bothered by stained or discolored teeth. Of course, whitening is not the only type of cosmetic dentistry available, and no treatment is suitable for every patient. So it’s best to consult your dentist before making any decisions.
During your initial visit, your dentist will look over your teeth to see if there are any oral health concerns that need to be treated. They will also take a look at the discolored areas and consider whether whitening could be an effective way to remove them. If everything checks out, they can start putting together a treatment plan for you.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
It depends on the type of whitening you’re talking about. Some store-bought whitening products have not been officially approved by the FDA or the ADA, and as such there’s a chance they could end up damaging your teeth.
In contrast, professional whitening procedures are seen as very safe. Your dentist will take multiple precautions to avoid unnecessary complications. For example, if you’re using a take-home whitening kit, the trays will be carefully designed to prevent the bleaching gel from being swallowed by accident. Feel free to talk to our team to learn more about the steps we take to ensure that the whitening process is completed without issue.
Does Teeth Whitening Qualify for FSA?
A Flexible Spending Account – FSA for short – can be an excellent way to manage a variety of medical and dental costs. However, you usually can’t use an FSA to help pay for teeth whitening because it’s a cosmetic procedure that isn’t needed to maintain oral health.
However, an FSA can be very useful for making your regular dental checkups and cleanings more affordable. This is good news for people who have had whitening done; visiting the dentist for routine cleanings is essential if you want your brighter smile to last as long as possible.