Teeth Whitening – Frankfort, IL
Efficient Ways to Brighten Your Smile
At Grand Dental – Frankfort, our team believes in producing healthier smiles, but we also understand how essential it is to have an eye-catching set of teeth. Instead of resorting to over-the-counter whitening kits that do not produce the kind of results you desire, we invite you to try professional teeth whitening in Frankfort. With in-office treatment and take-home kits available, you can choose how to brighten your teeth for a more confident appearance. Call our office to find out which method is right for you.
Why Choose Grand Dental – Frankfort for Teeth Whitening?
- Dentist with Advanced Training in Cosmetic Dentistry
- 5-Star Service Delivered by Talented Team
- Dental Team Offers Flexible Financing
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you are unhappy with tooth stains or discoloration, there is a good chance you will be eligible for professional teeth whitening. Our cosmetic dentist will need to examine your smile to ensure there is no existing dental decay, cavities, or gum disease before agreeing to move forward with cosmetic treatment.
We’ll also discuss the reasons for your tooth stains, which might be certain medications, highly pigmented foods and beverages, or smoking and other unhealthy habits.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening works two ways: in-office or at home. If you prefer to let us take control of your smile, we will conduct a cosmetic session at a scheduled time in-house. If you would rather whiten your teeth on your own time, we can supply you with custom-made trays and high-grade bleaching gel.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
With take-home teeth whitening, our team will supply you with customized trays that are crafted from impressions taken of your smile. You’ll also receive high-grade bleaching gel that is designed to penetrate the enamel and get rid of stains and discoloration above and below the surface. Within two weeks, you should notice a dramatic difference in the color of your teeth, as long as you wear them accordingly.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you prefer that our team whiten your smile, we can accomplish this within one hour. After shielding your gums, we will apply Zoom! Whitening gel onto your teeth. The activated ingredients will target tooth stains on the surface as well as below the enamel, so you do not see any discoloration in the end. The results you experience will allow you to feel confident about any upcoming event you have or individual you’re preparing to meet.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Keeping your brighter smile looking its best requires taking the necessary steps. Some helpful tips you can follow include:
- Giving up bad habits like smoking and eating ice
- Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home, like brushing and flossing, and rinsing accordingly
- Keeping all regularly scheduled dental checkups and cleanings throughout the year
- Never use your teeth as tools to open packages or containers
- Limiting or avoiding darkly pigmented foods and beverages that can stain your teeth over time
- Inquire from your doctor about changing your medication if it is the cause of tooth discoloration
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
When it comes to getting a whiter, brighter smile, it’s important to understand that you get what you pay for. While storebought products may seem more affordable at first, you could eventually end up paying more for them than professional treatment and still not get the same incredible results. Here’s a closer look at how we determine the cost of professional teeth whitening, and why whitening treatment from your dentist is often a better value than those over-the-counter products.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although professional whitening is usually one set price, there are several factors that may affect the number of treatments you’ll need to get the results you want. These include:
- The severity of the stains and discoloration.
- The type of discoloration present, and its cause (e.g., age related, stains caused by medication, etc.) and whether the staining is intrinsic (located within your enamel) or extrinsic (located on the enamel’s surface).
- Whether you’ll need any procedures first, such as fillings or crowns.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are several types of teeth whitening available, all with different costs and treatment times. Here’s a closer look at each:
- In-office teeth whitening from your dentist typically ranges in cost from $400 to $800, however in some rare cases it can exceed $1,000 or more due to the severity of your stains.
- Take-home whitening kits with custom-fit trays from your dentist generally cost a few hundred dollars. The trays are reusable, and additional whitening gel can be purchased as needed.
- Storebought ‘over the counter’ whitening trays that are not custom fit typically cost $100 or less.
- White strips or gels available at most discount stores, pharmacies, and supermarkets are the cheapest option by far. Strips in particular range in price from $20 to $40 a box and usually contain enough product to treat your teeth for up to two weeks.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
If you’re only paying attention to the numbers above, you’re probably wondering why professional whitening from your dentist is so popular if it’s more expensive. But it’s important to remember that when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, the quality of your results is clearly reflected in the amount you pay. Thus, when using cheaper strips and gels, many patients see little to no results, especially with more severely discolored teeth. Worse yet, it could take many months to achieve the look they desire, which can really take a toll on their finances.
Conversely, professional treatment from your dentist is designed to lighten your tooth enamel by up to eight shades in just one visit for in-office treatment and about two weeks for a take home kit, although most patients notice dramatic results after just one treatment.
When selecting the best whitening option for your smile, it’s important to consider the results and your schedule, not just the up-front price!
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Because teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is almost never covered by traditional dental insurance. However, at Grand Dental Frankfort, we are proud to provide several options for making your teeth whitening treatment more affordable, including flexible financing through CareCredit* or Alphaeon, and our in-house membership plan, which offers reduced prices on cosmetic dentistry treatment. To learn more about your payment options and to see if professional whitening is right for you, please schedule a consultation with us today.
*Subject to credit approval. Visit CareCredit.com for more information.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
No, you should not need to worry about professional teeth whitening products damaging your tooth enamel. However, you should plan to meet with our Grand Dental – Frankfort dentist before starting treatment to ensure there are no signs of dental decay, gum disease, or other serious issues. These can make the cosmetic process more uncomfortable and potentially create problems for your tooth enamel.
If you are thinking about using over-the-counter products, remember that abrasive options, like activated charcoal, can be more harmful to your teeth than you might think. They can wear down the outer layer of teeth, causing them to become thinner and more sensitive. Also, excessive teeth whitening can lead to problems with your smile, so be sure to stick with professional solutions and follow the instructions provided by our team.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
The average timeframe for professional teeth whitening is one hour for in-office treatment, and about two weeks if you choose a customized take-home option. Those who prefer to whiten their teeth at home often appreciate the more convenient solution; however, patients must adhere to the instructions provided if results are to be noticeable within two weeks.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
No, teeth whitening in Frankfort is not permanent. While the results can last months or even a year with the right kind of care, you will be required to seek follow-up treatment over time. There are ways to prolong your results, though. You can:
- Eat white, dairy-enriched foods that are full of calcium
- Practice good oral hygiene at home with brushing, flossing, and rinsing
- Visit our Grand Dental – Frankfort office every six months for checkups and cleanings
- Give up smoking and the use of tobacco products
- Limit your alcohol consumption
- Limit your consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages that are known to cause stains (i.e., coffee, red wine, tea, soda, curry, soy sauce, etc.)
any concerns you might have. If you do have sensitive teeth, we can create a plan that reduces the frequency of your whitening treatment as well as how much gel is used. You can ensure a more comfortable experience by also avoiding hot, cold, or spicy foods and beverages for a few days after treatment.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
You cannot whiten your dental crowns simply because they are not porous. Crowns are crafted from artificial materials, so they cannot absorb pigments and other substances like regular enamel. If you are unhappy with how your dental crowns look, you can either talk to our team about having them replaced before whitening your teeth so that everything will match, or you can wait until after your teeth are whitened and ensure they match your brighter, whiter smile.
More to Explore
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Need a Dentist for My Child I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am in Pain & need Help I Want to Enhance My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I am Concerned About Gum Disease I Have Dental Anxiety I Want to Learn About Sleep Apnea View Our Services