Teeth Whitening Petaluma
Lift Stubborn Stains, Reveal Your Dream Smile
Everyone wants a bright, white, and shining smile. Fortunately, most patients can achieve dramatically whiter teeth with safe, affordable teeth whitening at our Petaluma dental office! Since every patient has different needs, we recommend scheduling a consultation with us so we can learn all about your smile goals. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more about this cosmetic dentistry treatment, starting with who is a good candidate.
Why Choose Bob Koenitzer, DDS for Teeth Whitening?
- Top-Rated Dental Team in the Area
- In-Office and Take-Home Treatments
- Appointments as Early as 7:45 AM
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you struggle to feel confident when showing off your smile due to stubborn stains and pigmented discoloration, you may be a good candidate for teeth whitening. The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation with us. This way, we can examine your smile and learn more about your goals. If your teeth and gums are healthy, then we can start working on your treatment plan. If you have a dental issue, like gum disease or tooth decay, then these will need to be treated ahead of time
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At our office, we’re proud to offer both in-office and take-home whitening treatments. Below, you can learn a little more about each, but don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation if you’d like further details or if you have any questions about the smile makeover process.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
First, we’ll use a model of your smile to create custom-made bleaching trays. These trays keep the gel sealed against the teeth for maximum effectiveness without irritating sensitive tissues. Wear the trays as directed (typically for about an hour a day). You’ll see progress after just one use and the full results after about two weeks.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom! offers a fast, easy way to achieve a smile up to eight shades brighter in a single office visit. This extremely popular whitening method uses specially formulated bleaching gel activated by a halogen light to lift stains and discolorations. One of the biggest perks is that you can relax and watch your favorite show while we work to reveal your brightest smile.
If you decide that you want an even whiter shade following treatment with Zoom!, we’ll give you a customized kit to continue whitening at home. During the week or two following in-office bleaching, teeth are hyper-responsive to a little more whitening with the trays. Typically, one or two hours at home is all it takes to achieve the desired results!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Unfortunately, the results of teeth whitening treatment are not permanent. The good news is that they can last anywhere from a couple of months to a few years depending on how well you care for them. That’s why we recommend:
- Implementing a solid at-home oral hygiene routine
- Attending your six-month dental checkups and cleanings
- Eating light-colored foods, like white fish, cottage cheese, and plain yogurt
- Using a straw when drinking coffee and other dark-colored beverages
- Avoiding poor dental habits, like smoking
- Getting touch-up whitening treatments as needed
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Even if you are excited about achieving a brighter smile with teeth whitening treatment at our Petaluma office, it’s still perfectly reasonable to ask how much the procedure will cost. When we see you for your consultation, we’ll be happy to provide you with a proper cost estimate for the treatment and discuss your payment and financing options. To help you understand what to expect, here’s a quick guide to how teeth whitening is priced at Dr. Koenitzer’s office.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatments usually come at set prices, but some patients may need multiple sessions to achieve their desired results. A few factors that can contribute to the cost of your treatment include:
- The severity of your stains and discoloration: More severe cases may take more treatments to resolve.
- The nature of the discoloration: Stains can be caused by age, medications, and exposure to dyes and pigments. They can also be extrinsic, meaning located on top of the enamel, or intrinsic, meaning located beneath its surface.
- Preliminary procedures: Patients will need to be in good oral health before receiving teeth whitening, so you may need restorative work to prepare for the procedure.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
There are several types of teeth whitening treatments available, and we are happy to brighten our patients’ smiles with in-office procedures or professional-grade take-home kits. Here’s a quick look at the price ranges associated with a few popular whitening methods:
- In-office whitening: This usually costs between $400 and $800, but it may cost up to $1,000 in especially severe cases.
- Professional take-home whitening kits: These typically cost a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-counter whitening kits: These are often sold at pharmacies for $100 or less.
- Strips or gels: A two-week supply of these products usually goes for $20 to $40.
Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
While it’s easy to find cheap teeth whitening options at a grocery store or pharmacy, these treatments often deliver lackluster results and may even cause injuries due to poor manufacture or user error. Professional teeth whitening treatments, on the other hand, are completely customized to ensure fantastic results in brief timeframes. When considering cosmetic dental work, it’s always important to consider the quality of the results you can expect as well as the price.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Since teeth whitening is an elective cosmetic procedure, it isn’t usually covered by dental insurance. However, there are exceptions, so we’ll be happy to go over your policy in case it offers any coverage. We also partner with CareCredit to offer our patients flexible payment plans that can break their bills into small monthly payments that are easy to manage. If you’d like to know more about making teeth whitening affordable, please feel free to schedule a consultation at our office in Petaluma.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
When it comes to dental procedures of any kind, many patients worry that their treatment is going to be painful. Fortunately, we will always do everything we can to make you feel as comfortable as possible while in the dental chair. Because professional teeth whitening is entirely custom, you are significantly less likely to experience sensitivity. If your teeth are more prone to being sensitive, don’t hesitate to let us know. By spacing out your treatments, avoiding hot and cold beverages, and using specialty toothpaste, you can avoid this unpleasant sensation.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Professional teeth whitening treatments are not only more effective, but they are also faster. An in-office whitening treatment can lighten your smile up to 8 shades in a single visit! Take-home teeth whitening can gradually whiten your teeth over a couple of weeks. If you are struggling with more pigmented discoloration, you may need additional treatments to achieve your goals. If you have a big event coming up, don’t hesitate to let us know so we can schedule you accordingly.
Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Dental Insurance?
Teeth whitening is not considered medically necessary, so it is not covered by dental insurance. However, this doesn’t always mean that you will be left completely on your own. With third-party financing companies, like CareCredit, you can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more about your financial options.