What is the cost of teeth whitening in Sugar Land?

Society places a heavy weight on the appearance of a person’s teeth, which is why thousands of people go to great lengths to make their teeth “perfect”. Whether that means braces or teeth whitening treatments, people are increasingly turning to their dentists for cosmetic procedures. One of the most common procedures requested is teeth whitening.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry takes many different forms, but its definition boils down to anything done by a dentist to improve the outward appearance of the patient’s teeth. For some, these procedures are medically necessary like braces. For others, cosmetic dentistry may not be medically necessary but can vastly improve a person’s quality of life. Many people simply stop smiling fully because they are embarrassed about the way their teeth look.

Examples of cosmetic dentistry, however, go beyond braces. Patients may get teeth implants, veneers, or bonding to improve the appearance of their teeth. However, getting a teeth whitening done is by far one of the most popular procedures patients ask their dentists for. This is largely due to how people often feel judged by others when they smile and their teeth are discolored.

How Do Dentists Whiten Teeth?

Often, people know dentists do teeth whitenings, but not how they do them. Dentists usually start a tooth whitening appointment by recording the starting shade of the patient’s teeth. A display of different fake teeth that are different shades will be used to find the closest match to the shade of the patient’s teeth. This display will also help the dentist and the patient decide how white they want to make their teeth. This is so the dentist knows how long to treat the patient’s teeth.

Once the patient decides how white they would like their teeth, the dentist will begin cleaning the patient’s teeth. The dentist will often use a pumice stone to clean off any built-up plaque and get rid of some of the surface-level staining that might get in the way of a tooth whitening. After the patient’s teeth are clean the dentist will put gauze and a mouth guard in the patient’s mouth to protect their gums and lips. This is because the next step is to apply either a hydrogen peroxide or a carbamide peroxide solution to the teeth.

The dentist will then leave the solution for 30 to 60 minutes depending on what shade the patient wants their teeth. Depending on what shade the patient’s teeth started out at and how white they want their teeth, more than one session may be required. In some cases, the solution needs to be activated by a light or a laser shined on the teeth. Some solutions also require that they be reapplied over the course of the 30 to 60 minutes it is on, but the type of solution used will vary from dentist to dentist based on preference. When the dentist decides the patient’s teeth are the right shade or have reached the limit for how long the solution is left on, the patient’s mouth is rinsed. Afterward, it is common for the patient’s teeth to be sensitive, so a fluoride solution may be applied to help.

Why Do Teeth Stain?

Some people are predisposed to teeth staining, meaning that their teeth stain easier than most people’s. However, most people will experience staining regardless because of their diet. Most obviously, coffee and tea are known to heavily stain teeth. Foods high in acidities like tomatoes or wine can also heavily stain teeth and leave them discolored. Even sports drinks can have an impact on the color of a patient’s teeth. Brushing regularly, using straws, and swallowing swiftly can help, but most people will find themselves with stained teeth regardless.

Even after a tooth whitening, it is possible to stain teeth again. Whitened teeth are especially prone to staining for 24 hours after whitening, which is why many dentists will give their patients a list of foods to avoid after a whitening. Patients may even have to go in for another whitening later on in life. For teeth especially prone to staining or damage, dentists may begin to recommend veneers or bonding to their patients. Veneers are thin shells put over the patient’s teeth and bonding is when a dentist bonds a tooth-colored resin to the patient’s teeth. Both of these options work to protect teeth from staining or damage while improving the overall appearance of the teeth.

Cost of Teeth Whitening in Sugar Land

The cost of getting teeth whitened will vary from dentist to dentist and may go up if more than one session is needed. Not every dentist does teeth whitenings either, meaning some patients may have to go shop around, which may be a good thing. The average cost of a tooth whitening session in Sugar Land depends on your provider. Typically, teeth whitenings are one of the more affordable cosmetic dental procedures dentists do. It’s best to choose a provider that has a history of positive online reviews.

Teeth Whitening and Insurance

Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not outright cover most teeth whitenings unless a dentist deems it necessary in some way. Luckily, many insurance agencies offer dental savings plans. For an extra fee on top of regular insurance insurers typically offer access to heavy discounts for cosmetic dental procedures. They still will not cover the procedure itself but will help find the patient at a discounted rate. These discounts can be game-changers for a lot of people afraid of smiling, but could not normally afford to whiten their teeth.

There are some “cosmetic” dental procedures insurance will cover. However, they are usually dental implants or braces, because the need is typically more urgent. Even so, some insurers still may refer patients to a dental savings plan.

Conclusion

Dental whitenings can be life-changing for many people who may not know how much the color of their teeth was affecting their life. However, dental whitening and other cosmetic procedures can be pricey despite how life-changing they can be. Through the use of dental savings plans, though, the cost of teeth whitening can be drastically reduced. The cost can also vary from dental office to dental office, making a research before choosing a dental office important. Teeth whitening remains a good option for those looking to brighten their smile.