Teeth Whitening – Arlington Heights, IL

Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Each patient’s dental needs are different, which means that each treatment plan is different. To provide you with an estimate, our cosmetic dentist in Arlington Heights will consider several important factors, including:

• The severity of the dental discoloration
• The source of the stains (i.e., age, medication, smoking)
• The need for preliminary procedures, like a filling or dental crown

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

At Westgate Dental Care, we’re proud to offer our patients not one, but two reliable and safe stain-blasting solutions: in-office and take-home whitening treatments. While in-office treatments can range from $400 to $800, take-home alternatives typically cost a few hundred dollars less. Of course, over-the-counter options have a much cheaper upfront cost ($20-$40 on average), but it’s important to remember that cheaper isn’t necessarily better, especially when it comes to something as important as your smile.

Inexpensive Teeth Whitening VS Professional Teeth Whitening

As previously mentioned, over-the-counter whitening kits require a significantly lower financial investment. Since the marketing behind these products make it seem like they are equally as effective, you may be wondering why you should opt for a professional whitening treatment.

First, over-the-counter kits use one-size-fits-all trays and diluted whitening agents, leading to lackluster and unpredictable results. In addition, they don’t take into account the condition of your oral health, which can negatively impact the state of your teeth and gums. Lastly, they aren’t monitored by a licensed dental professional, meaning that you can easily overuse them, doing more harm than good in the long run.

Conversely, professional teeth whitening starts with a dental exam to ensure that you are a good candidate for this popular cosmetic dentistry treatment. Each treatment plan is 100% customized, ensuring you get the reliable results you deserve. And, perhaps most importantly, an in-office treatment can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in a single visit!

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Since dental insurance plans typically don’t cover the cost of teeth whitening in Arlington Heights, you may naturally assume that the treatment will be too expensive. Fortunately, that’s not the case! Our team is proud to offer our patients several financial solutions, including:

• CareCredit – With trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit, you can space-out your payments instead of having to pay for it in one lump sum.
• In-House Savings Plan – Our in-house savings plan helps you save on a wide range of treatments – without annoying deductibles, claims forms, and annual maximums too!
• Special Offers – We offer periodic specials to help lower your out-of-pocket expenses as well. Don’t hesitate to ask our team about our latest specials!

Of course, the easiest way to pinpoint an exact price and find the best financial option for you is to schedule a consultation with our team. We’re here to help whenever you’re ready!

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

Thankfully, professional teeth whitening treatments are completely personalized to you and utilize high-quality brighteners, both of which decrease your chances of experiencing tooth sensitivity following your visit. To prevent soreness and irritation, you should also use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, avoid drinking hot beverages, and skip overly acidic or sugary foods.

What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?

Since store-bought whitening kits market themselves as both reliable and cost-effective, many patients are curious if investing in professional treatments is really worth it. The answer? Absolutely. While over-the-counter whitening products use one-size-fits-all applicators and diluted brightening agents, professional alternatives are personalized, high-quality, and extremely effective. Furthermore, in-office treatments take into account your current oral health, like existing cavities, preventing damage to your teeth. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for store-bought options.

Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Whether you’re struggling with mild or moderate dental staining, you could be a candidate for teeth whitening. The final answer will ultimately depend on the health of your teeth and gums. For example, if you have one or more decayed teeth, then those will need to be treated first. Otherwise, the whitening agent will further damage the tooth. If you have gum disease, then moving forward with a whitening treatment will leave you with white teeth and inflamed, red gums, not giving you the beautiful, healthy smile you’re after. As a result, incorporating the appropriate restorative care into your treatment plan is crucial.

Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?

In short, the answer is no. While the results of your teeth whitening treatment can last for 6+ months with proper care, the effects will eventually fade. To ensure your beautiful, bright smile lasts for as long as possible, make sure to brush your teeth after each meal, floss regularly, and use a mouthwash that isn’t bright green or blue. You should also visit our dentist in Arlington Heights every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning and quit unhealthy dental habits, like smoking.

Is Teeth Whitening Covered By Dental Insurance?

Since teeth whitening treatments aren’t considered “medically necessary,” they usually aren’t covered by dental insurance. Luckily, our team offers other ways to save! To start, we happily accept flexible financing with CareCredit. Furthermore, we offer periodic specials and have an in-house savings plan which gives you access to significant discounts on all of our services.