Professional Teeth Whitening - Las Cruces, NM
Getting Rid of Dental Stains
If you would like to improve the appearance of your smile without investing lots of time or energy in the process, professional teeth whitening can provide a perfect option. Dr. Ray and Dr. Natalie offer two options in teeth whitening to help you reveal your most attractive smile at the pace you are comfortable with: in-office Zoom! Whitening and take-home professional teeth whitening from our Las Cruces, NM cosmetic dentist.
Why Choose Painted Skies Dental Center for Teeth Whitening?
- Professional-Grade Take-Home Kits
- State-of-the-Art Zoom! Whitening
- A Clean, Modern Dental Office
Why Teeth Stain
There are a number of factors that may have caused your teeth to lose their luster over time. Or maybe your teeth have never been as white as you would like -- genetics also play a role in the color of your tooth enamel.
Some of the most common factors causing tooth staining or discoloration include:
- Frequent contact with highly pigmented foods and beverages, like coffee, wine, dark sodas, red fruits and vegetables, tomato sauces, and others
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Insufficient dental hygiene
- Certain medications, like tetracycline, can cause the teeth to take on a gray cast
No matter what caused your teeth to look less than their brightest, a professional teeth whitening treatment can provide significant help.
Zoom! Teeth Whitening
In-office whitening is a wonderful option for people with more flexible budgets who wish to reveal their results quickly. The Zoom! Whitening option works in a single visit to our dental office and can whiten teeth by up to 8 shades. It can erase even significant stains, like those left by medications.
To apply Zoom!, your dentist or hygienist uses a special barrier to cover your gums, tongue, and cheeks, leaving only your tooth enamel exposed. The Zoom! gel is then painted onto the surface of the teeth where it is activated under a special light in 3 separate 15-minute intervals. After the treatment is complete, you will take home a touch-up kit to use as needed, usually several months later.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Patients who are not in a hurry to enjoy their results may prefer a take-home treatment, which is completed over the course of one to two weeks. Your dentist creates customized trays that you will fill with the high-powered bleaching gel and wear for 20 to 30 minutes each night. The treatment is usually complete after one to two weeks.
Maintaining Your Results
We know you will love your bright white smile after the teeth whitening treatment is complete. To maintain your dazzling results, try to avoid the things that caused your tooth enamel to discolor in the first place -- like black coffee and dark sodas. If you can’t give them up, use a straw to prevent them from coming into contact with your tooth enamel.
Visiting your dentist every six months will also help your teeth continue to dazzle, since we will remove plaque, tartar, and finish the visit off with a thorough polish. That’ll keep you smiling healthy and bright for years to come!
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Most dental insurance policies don’t include cosmetic services, like teeth whitening, that are intended to enhance your appearance more than your oral health. As a result, plenty of patients have questions about what they can expect to pay to brighten their grins.
Our Painted Skies Dental Center team is happy to provide a detailed estimate after we’ve examined your mouth because it depends significantly on your unique circumstances. Continue reading to learn more about how the amount is determined, and feel free to contact us for additional information!
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening typically has a set price, various factors can affect how many treatments you’ll need to achieve the desired hue and increase the amount due, such as:
- The severity of the stains. People with darkly tinted teeth are more likely to require multiple applications than someone with a slightly off-white smile.
- The types of discoloration. Extrinsic stains in your enamel tend to respond better to topical treatments than deeper intrinsic blemishes that have seeped into the lower layers of dentin.
- Additional procedures. If you require tooth-colored fillings, gum disease therapy, or other treatments prior to whitening, you will be responsible for paying for those services.
Types of Teeth Whitening and Their Pricing
There are several potential ways to lighten your grin, outlined with their estimated costs in more detail below:
- In-office procedure. A single visit can potentially lift the color of your teeth by up to eight shades, often ranging between $400 and $800+.
- Professional take-home kits. We also provide take-home kits with ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted trays for a few hundred dollars.
- Over-the-counter trays. One-size-fits-all trays can be purchased for $100 or less.
- Commercial-grade strips. Many stores and pharmacies carried boxes of strips and gels for $20 to $40.
Store-Bought vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
It’s natural to question why you should invest in teeth whitening with our team when there are less expensive methods available over the counter. However, when it comes to upgrading your smile, the quality of a product is often reflected in its rate.
For example, many store-bought kits contain diluted bleaching agents that are less effective and one-size-fits-all trays that lead to application errors. Then, you might develop sensitivity by inadvertently misusing the product. Plus, you might accidentally apply bleach over hidden cavities or gum disease you were unaware of, which can hurt.
Meanwhile, our team examines your mouth first to prevent pre-existing issues from interfering. Then, we utilize professional-strength gels designed to mitigate sensitivity for a more accurate and comfortable outcome.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Improving your appearance can increase your quality of life because your enhanced confidence can contribute to better professional achievements, deeper relationships, and a busier social calendar. We don’t want your budget to prevent you from enjoying the many benefits of your elective treatment, so we offer the following options to help make services more affordable:
- In-house memberships. We offer various memberships that include basic services and an additional 10% discount on treatments provided in the office, and we can work with you to find an option that fits within your budget.
- Flexible financing. We’ve also partnered with CareCredit to offer low-to-no interest payment plans that allow you to divvy your total invoice into more manageable installments over a designated period.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you are interested in how we can help you enjoy a stunning smile with professional teeth whitening, we would love to discuss your treatment plan. You are invited to request an appointment at Painted Skies Dental Center today!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Since professional whitening treatments are entirely custom, you are significantly less likely to experience tooth sensitivity compared to over-the-counter whitening kits. If your teeth are more prone to sensitivity, don’t hesitate to let your dental team know. There are various steps both your dentist and you can take to help avoid unpleasant tooth sensitivity. For example, Dr. Ortiz may recommend spaced-out whitening treatments instead of one single treatment. In addition, avoiding hot beverages after whitening treatment and using a specialty toothpaste can reduce the likelihood of experiencing tooth sensitivity.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Some patients are tempted to try “do-it-yourself” whitening treatments using recipes and guides they find on the internet. However, products that aren’t approved by the FDA and ADA have not undergone rigorous testing, which means they could potentially cause harm in the short and long term. When it comes to your smile, there is no room for error, which is why it is crucial to only use products that are designed specifically for your teeth and gums. Professional whitening treatments administered by a cosmetic dentist in Las Cruces are considered extremely safe. Custom trays ensure the whitening solution does not spread to your gums or accidentally get ingested. Moreover, Dr. Ortiz can adjust the percentage of the solution to guarantee you safely get the bright, white results you’re looking for.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, dental crowns, veneers, and other restorations cannot be whitened like your natural teeth. In fact, whitening gels can weaken the bond between your tooth and restoration, which can cause complications. Before beginning whitening treatment, make sure to share your dental history with your dentist. Fortunately, you can help prevent your dental crowns from discoloring by practicing excellent oral hygiene at home and attending regular dental checkups. Avoid smoking and limiting your consumption of dark-colored foods and liquids will also help keep your restoration the desired color. If you are unhappy with the shade of your crown, it can be replaced to better suit your smile goals.
How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?
The results of professional teeth whitening in Las Cruces can last up to several years. How long your smile stays bright depends entirely on how you care for your teeth! Be sure to brush twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft-bristled toothbrush. In addition, floss daily and rinse with mouthwash regularly. Next, make sure to attend dental checkups and cleanings every six months. These routine appointments allow your dentist to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, prevent stains from developing, and catch dental concerns (like gum disease) in the early stages. The foods and drinks you consume will also influence how long your teeth whitening results last. Limit coffee, red wine, pasta with red sauce, and other dark-colored foods and beverages. Quitting poor dental habits, like smoking, is important too.