(317) 898-3384 8602 E. 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219

Teeth Whitening – Indianapolis, IN

Saving Indianapolis Smiles

woman smiling vibrantly

As time passes, the foods and drinks we consume diminish our smile’s brilliance and leave our teeth looking yellow or dull. Other factors that contribute to staining include tobacco use and even aging. Thankfully, professional teeth whitening can erase or lessen these stains to restore the radiance our smiles once had. Drs. Farthing and Tepner are happy to offer options for professional teeth whitening in Indianapolis that meet your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Based on an oral exam at our Indianapolis dental office, our team can determine which method is truly right for you. Read on or give us a call today to learn more!

Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

man smiling after getting teeth whitening in Indianapolis

As one of the quickest and most effective cosmetic dental treatments out there, it’s easy to see why many patients choose teeth whitening. This procedure is a popular and cost-effective way for anybody to enhance their smile. By using safe and powerful professional-grade bleaching agents, we can seep into your enamel and blast away the most stubborn stains.

If you’re unhappy with the color of your smile, then you’re likely a good candidate for teeth whitening. However, we’ll need to examine your oral health and address any issues we might detect, such as cavities or gum disease. If left untreated, they can cause discomfort during your treatment or even lead to more serious complications. For this reason, we’ll ensure to get you back on track with a healthy smile before starting your preferred teeth whitening process.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

man undergoing in-office teeth whitening in Indianapolis

Unlike store-bought products which are typically diluted and have no supervision from a qualified dentist, our dental team will closely oversee your professional teeth whitening process to create your desired results. Not only will we use ingredients that are powerful and effective, but they’ll also be completely safe for your teeth and gums. We’ll discuss which of our treatment options is best for you during your initial consultation.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Our team can provide you with custom-made take-home whitening kits so that you can brighten your smile at your convenience. These personalized trays will be specifically designed to fit your bite, and we’ll also give you customized doses of bleaching gel. You’ll wear these whitening kits for a certain amount of time each day for a couple of weeks.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

If you’d like to brighten your smile sooner, then you might consider undergoing our in-office teeth whitening treatment. In just a single appointment, we can apply the professional-grade bleaching agent to your teeth and use a special light to effectively remove discoloration and stains in about an hour. This is especially helpful if you have a small timeframe and want to whiten your smile for an important event, such as a wedding, a job interview, or even a date!

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

woman brushing after teeth whitening in Indianapolis

You can expect your teeth whitening results to last several months to even a year or more with the proper care. To make the most of your newly improved pearly whites, be sure to practice the following measures:

Call Indianapolis Family Dentistry today to schedule your teeth whitening appointment with Dr. Farthing or Dr. Tepner. Our conveniently located dental office provides personalized service and one-on-one care to residents of Greenfield and beyond.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Woman wearing purple shirt standing and smiling

It always pays to do your research before pursuing teeth whitening or any other sort of cosmetic dental treatment. In particular, it’s important to make sure that you have a good idea of what the procedure will ultimately cost. You can count on our team to give you a reliable estimate and explain what factors need to be considered to determine the amount that you will end up paying. Below is a brief look at the basics of what you need to know when it comes to the costs of teeth whitening.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Woman wearing purple shirt standing and smiling

A single whitening treatment often comes with a set cost. However, the number of treatments needed to get the desired results depends heavily on how severe the problem is. People with extensive staining on their teeth may need to plan on paying for additional treatments.

You also need to think about the cost of any other procedures you might need. For example, when our team is examining your smile before beginning the whitening process, we may find signs of tooth decay and gum disease. These dental issues need to be taken care of before you can be considered a candidate for teeth whitening, and the treatments required come with their own costs.

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

Female patient sitting in dental chair and smiling

The cost of in-office teeth whitening usually falls in the range of $400 to $800, but it’s not unheard of to end up paying more than that in specific cases.

If you choose to get a professional take-home whitening kit, you can typically expect it to cost a few hundred dollars.

Store-bought whitening trays tend to cost less than customized ones – often around $100.

Finally, there are plenty of over-the-counter whitening strips, gels, and toothpastes that are noticeably cheaper than other options. A box containing two weeks’ worth of whitening strips can cost as little as $20.

Inexpensive Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening

Man in denim jacket looking to side and smiling

Professional whitening may cost more than store-bought options, but it also tends to be more reliable. Some people who use over-the-counter whitening strips or gels see little to no change even after using the products in question for quite a while. Meanwhile, patients who use professional take-home whitening kits often achieve brighter smiles after just a couple of weeks. Think carefully about your options for whitening so that you can make the decision that’s truly best for your smile.

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Close-up of bearded male dental patient smiling

Most dental insurance plans won’t pay for teeth whitening or any other type of purely cosmetic dental treatment. You will therefore want to consider other options for making the treatment as affordable as possible. You might want to think about applying for CareCredit financing, which allows you to pay for your care in installments that won’t break your budget.

Teeth Whitening FAQs

 

Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Dental Insurance?

Teeth whitening is typically considered to be outside the bounds of what is medically necessary by insurance companies. For these reasons, you usually cannot expect your teeth whitening to be covered by your dental insurance.

However, if you need preliminary treatments like fillings or crowns, you may be able to get coverage for these treatments. We’ll help you work with your insurance company in order to ensure that you’re getting the absolute most of your benefits that you possibly can.

Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?

The results of teeth whitening are not permanent but can last longer than you would expect from a relatively fast treatment. Your smile will be brighter for anywhere from a few months to a few years after your procedure.

If you want to maintain the results of your whitening treatment, you should be sure to implement a solid daily hygiene routine and avoid food/drinks that may darken your smile.

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

While store-bought teeth whitening kits claim to be able to offer you results comparable to what you’d get from a dentist, the truth is that they fall substantially short of professional whitening. This is because DIY teeth whitening is typically one-size-fits-all, meaning that the whitening solution you use will not be customized to your needs. This solution is typically too weak to give you the results that you’re looking for, meaning that you will likely either receive subpar results, or overuse the whitening treatment in an attempt to actually make a difference in how your teeth look.

Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?

Teeth whitening works by entering the pores of the teeth and removing stains. However, dental crowns are non-porous, which means that whitening solutions will not work on them. In fact, the whitening solution could potentially erode the adhesive that holds the dental crown in place, causing it to come loose.

If you want your restoration to be whiter, you’ll need to either a) replace it entirely, or b) prevent them from becoming discolored in the first place by making smart lifestyle choices.