Teeth Whitening — Oklahoma City, OK
Make Your Smile Shine Again
When you meet someone, the first thing they will notice is your smile, and it’s probably the color of your teeth that jumps out first. If you’re unhappy with your current shade or want to make sure your smile is as bright and eye-catching as possible before a big event, Grand Dental Studio can offer exactly what you need. With Zoom! in-office whitening and take-home whitening kits in Oklahoma City, we make it nice and simple to take years off of your appearance in a way that perfectly suits your schedule and goals.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
We typically recommend teeth whitening for patients whose enamel has noticeable yellow or brown stains. These usually stem from exposure to darkly pigmented foods and drinks (like coffee, wine, tomato sauce, and soy sauce) or smoking and can easily be corrected by bleaching.
However, whitening is not the right approach for grayish or bluish teeth, as this type of discoloration points to a more complicated structural problem below the surface. In these instances, we would more likely use veneers to create a pristine white smile.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The basics of teeth whitening is that a gel is applied to the enamel, and the active ingredient is usually hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. These actually break the molecular bonds that keep stains together, causing them to disappear before your eyes.
While store-bought kits usually have a gel that contains just 5% of the active ingredient, what we use has 20% or more, which is why we’re able to achieve dramatic results that you can’t on your own.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom! Teeth Whitening has never been easier! Just visit Grand Dental Studio, and we'll provide a powerful laser teeth whitening treatment during your lunch hour. One advantage of this quick, popular brand and an easy in-office visit is that we can polish away any plaque that may stand in the way of your whitening or lead to future stains.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
While our in-office system creates dazzling results, many of our patients find that home teeth whitening with a professional-grade bleaching gel and custom trays is more their speed, allowing them to make the changes they want while relaxing on the couch. Many patients use our tailored kits to touch up their smiles after getting laser whitening. If you smoke, drink tea or wine, or commonly indulge in other teeth-staining habits, the home kits come in very handy.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
With the right practices, your teeth whitening results can easily last for years to come. All you need to do is:
- Brush and floss daily to prevent the buildup that causes stains
- Avoid habits like smoking or chewing tobacco
- Reduce your consumption of teeth-staining foods and drinks
- Primarily drink regular, unflavored water
- Visit us for regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Can you afford to brighten your smile? The cost of teeth whitening in Oklahoma City is actually NOT set in stone, as different people’s teeth respond…differently to the treatment! But there are a few key factors that go into the price you’ll pay.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
- Degree of staining: This one is simple—the more stained your teeth, the more whitening they will need, leading to more expense.
- Type of whitening: In-office whitening tends to cost more than at-home because it requires more dedicated time from our team so it’s nice and fast.
- Dental issues: It’s not wise to whiten someone’s teeth if they have cavities or gum disease (i.e., pain), so these will need to be addressed before any cosmetic work can be done.
OTC Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
There are literally countless whitening products available on store shelves and online, including toothpastes, gels, strips, and gums. Why pay for a professional treatment?
The truth is that most store-bought products are woefully underpowered. They usually contain about 5% of the active ingredient that actually lightens your teeth (which is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide).
When you get whitening from your cosmetic dentist in Oklahoma City, the gels we use contain 20% of the active ingredient, literally 400% more! That’s the difference between a barely noticeable change and a dramatic shift that instantly boosts your confidence (and appearance).
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Dental insurance doesn’t cover elective procedures like teeth whitening, so many patients choose to pay out of pocket. If that isn’t an option for you right now, then Cherry might be exactly what you need.
It’s low-to-no-interest financing that lets you space out the cost of any treatment across low monthly payments. You can learn more about it here and even sign up in just a few minutes. It’s the simplest way to whiten your teeth now and pay gradually and comfortably.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How long will my teeth whitening results last?
Most patients are able to enjoy a noticeably brighter smile for several years after professional treatment, but how long your results stick around really depends on your daily habits. Brushing, flossing, and seeing your cosmetic dentist in Oklahoma City for regular cleanings will make a big difference. Cutting back on coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods and drinks can also help. With proper care (and the occasional touch-up), you can keep minor discoloration from creeping back in.
Is professional whitening more affordable than over-the-counter options?
When you look at the value of the results, absolutely. In fact, most people would need four or five boxes of strips or whitening kits to see changes comparable to a single professional treatment. Store-bought options not only take longer but also aren’t customized for your smile, which can cause the gel to irritate your gums. Professional teeth whitening in Oklahoma City may cost a bit more upfront, but in the long run, it saves you both time and money while delivering superior results.
Will whitening improve my crowns or veneers?
Whitening agents only work on natural enamel, so they won’t change the color of dental restorations like crowns or veneers. If a restoration no longer blends well with your smile, we may recommend replacing it after whitening so everything matches seamlessly. Our restorations are designed to look natural and resist staining, but just like real teeth, routine cleanings and consistent home care are key to keeping them bright for years to come.
How soon after teeth whitening can I drink coffee?
It’s best to wait 24 to 48 hours after whitening before drinking coffee since your enamel will be temporarily more susceptible to staining. Even using a straw won’t guarantee protection. If you can hold off on your favorite pick-me-up just a little longer, you’ll preserve your results and enjoy a dazzling smile for much longer. A short wait is certainly worth years of whiter teeth!