Teeth Whitening – Houston, TX
Make Your Smile Shine
The Zoom! Whitening System is a revolutionary teeth whitening procedure. It's safe, effective and fast – very fast. In just over an hour, your teeth will be several shades whiter. Take-home options are also available at our Houston dental office for patients who want to enhance their smile on their own time. If you’re ready to unleash your smile’s hidden potential, simply contact us today. We’d love to give you a gorgeous smile that captures eyes and demands attention!
Why Choose Cher Rich D.D.S. for Teeth Whitening?
- Highly Skilled and Experienced Dentist
- In-Office and Take-Home Whitening Treatments
- Appointments As Early As 7 AM
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Before we begin your professional teeth whitening plan, we will take the time to determine the underlying causes of dental discoloration. This ensures the treatment we recommend will effectively address your concerns and brighten your smile. Some of the most common reasons patients’ smiles become discolored include:
- Consumption of dark-colored foods and drinks
- Enamel wear (which reveals the yellow, dentin layer of teeth)
- Bright white spots caused by fluorosis or enamel hypoplasia
- Dark staining or bands caused by consumption of tetracycline and other medications during dental development
- Predisposition to naturally darker tooth enamel
- Use of smoking or chewing tobacco
We will also conduct a comprehensive oral exam to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. If they are, there’s a good chance that you’re a candidate for teeth whitening!
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Dr. Cher Rich provides two types of teeth whitening treatments: in-office and take-home. You can learn more about each below, but don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us if you want to learn more! That way, we can learn all about your smile goals and determine which one is ideal for you.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
You can literally see hundreds of whitening products on store shelves today, but NONE of them are made especially for you. Our take-home whitening kits, on the other hand, are made specifically to fit your teeth and guarantee dramatic results. We’ll provide you with customized trays and a powerful bleaching gel so you can get the smile of your dreams right in the comfort of your own home. Most people see complete results in just two weeks or less!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
The Zoom! Whitening procedure is simple and painless. It begins with a short preparation to isolate your lips and gums. Then, the proprietary Zoom! Whitening Gel will be applied and activated by a specially designed light. Teeth typically become at least 6 to 10 shades whiter, sometimes more. A five-minute fluoride treatment will complete the procedure, and you will be amazed with the results! In most cases, your teeth will get even whiter the first few days after the procedure.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
With proper care and an occasional touch-up at home, your whiter smile will sparkle for years before you’ll need complete retreatment in our office. You should limit your consumption of staining foods and drinks as well as avoid tobacco use to maximize your results. Keeping up with your regular daily hygiene and visiting us twice a year for professional cleanings will also extend the life of your whitening results.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
To help you understand the cost of teeth whitening in Houston, we’ve put together some financial information below. While the exact cost of your treatment will depend on your unique needs, it’s good to get a sense of what could impact your overall expenses and how professional services compare to other methods. Once you give this information a readthrough, don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you might have!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
For the most part, teeth whitening treatments have a set price. However, certain factors could require you to have preliminary or additional treatments, which can add to your overall expenses. Here’s a brief overview:
- Severe dental stains sometimes have to be treated with whitening agents multiple times to achieve a patient’s desired shade.
- Cavities, gum disease, and other such conditions will have to be addressed and eliminated before you can safely receive teeth whitening.
- If you have veneers or other such restorations, we recommend having them replaced. Teeth whitening agents don’t affect these inorganic materials, meaning you could end up with uneven coloration otherwise.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
You’d probably like to compare your options to make sure you’re getting the most value out of your dollar! We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of different teeth whitening methods and what they cost on average:
- In-office whitening – Between $400 and $800.
- Take-home whitening kits – $100 to $400.
- Store-bought trays - $100 or less.
- OTC strips, gels, and toothpastes – anywhere from $7 to $40.
Professional Teeth Whitening VS Store-Bought Teeth Whitening
You might be wondering why you would pay for a professional teeth whitening treatment when over-the-counter options are so much cheaper. If your guess was that it has to do with quality, you’d be correct! As a dentist, Dr. Rich is able to safely use more effective whitening agents. Since she can tailor your treatment to fit your smile, she can also take steps to ensure the chemicals don’t come into contact with your gums or oral tissue, which can cause irritation or trigger sensitivity.
With store-bought products, you’ll likely have to apply the whitening agents again and again to receive a smile that’s not quite as bright as you’d like. But with a dentist guiding your treatment, your smile could be several shades whiter in as little as one hour (or two weeks with a take-home kit)!
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental insurance doesn’t typically cover the cost of a teeth whitening treatment, so we proudly partner with CareCredit to offer patients another option for making their dream smile affordable. A CareCredit payment plan will essentially break your overall expenses down into smaller monthly bites. Many of our patients appreciate that they can pay at their own pace!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Whether you’re planning on getting your treatment done in-office or taking home a customized kit, you can rest assured that teeth whitening is generally painless. As a qualified professional, our cosmetic dentist in Houston can personalize your whitening to promote comfort and avoid sensitivity.
That said, if you have a history of tooth sensitivity, please let our team know ahead of time. You may be more likely to experience discomfort, and we can help by adjusting your treatment accordingly. We also don’t recommend teeth whitening for patients with an active case of cavities or gum disease. It’s better for your comfort and health to address oral conditions before proceeding with cosmetic dentistry treatment!
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Great question! After all, if there’s no difference between store-bought teeth whitening products and a professional treatment, why not choose the cheaper option?
The main differences have to do with customization and the quality of whitening agents. Store-bought products have to be designed for a general audience, meaning any kits you purchase aren’t personalized for your unique smile. This can result in long-term damage or sensitivity, especially when the products are used frequently. Since dentists are qualified to use professional-grade whitening agents, we’re also able to provide brighter, more satisfying results. Basically, if you want your smile whitened right, it’s best to look for a cosmetic dentist in Houston!
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Professional teeth whitening treatments don’t damage dental enamel unless the patient has an active case of cavities or gum disease (which is why we always perform a thorough oral exam before proceeding with teeth whitening).
However, at-home methods and store-bought products can be dangerous for your smile. Ingredients like activated charcoal tend to be extremely abrasive and can prematurely wear down your enamel. You may also experience problems by using these products too frequently.
Even if a professional teeth whitening treatment isn’t for you, we’d be happy to give you tips on touching up your smile or recommend products that are gentler on your teeth. So no matter what your discoloration needs are, it’s best to discuss them with a dentist before experimenting with social media trends!
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
Generally speaking, an in-office teeth whitening treatment can brighten your grin in just one hour. Our take-home kits, meanwhile, can provide stunning results more gradually – typically over the course of a few weeks.
It’s important to note, though, that your treatment time will ultimately depend on your goals and needs. Patients with severe stains sometimes need more than one appointment to achieve the results they have in mind. Rest assured, we’ll give you an estimated timeline during your consultation!