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Teeth Whitening – Falls Church, VA

Erase Stubborn Stains and Discoloration

Woman smiling with bright, white teeth

Did you know that a whopping 80% of Americans want whiter teeth? So, if you look in the mirror or see your smile in a photo and instantly wish you could erase stubborn stains and discoloration, you’re certainly not alone. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening treatments here at Purple Plum Dentistry can make that wish a reality! To schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist in Falls Church, contact our office today.

Common Causes of Dental Staining

Teeth whitening before and after

To create an effective teeth whitening treatment plan, it is important to first understand the cause of the discoloration you’re struggling with. Typically, the below culprits are the root of the issue:

  • Consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages, like coffee and berries
  • Use of tobacco products
  • Enamel wear
  • Fluorosis staining, which is the result of overconsumption of fluoride
  • Certain medications

Limitations of Store-Bought Teeth Whitening Kits

Woman putting on teeth whitening strip

Between the TV commercials, social media ads, and sheer convenience, it’s not surprising that many patients think of starting their journey to a brighter smile with store-bought options. Unfortunately, what their advertisements don’t tell you is that their low-dose whitening agent and flimsy applicator will deliver lackluster results time and time again. To truly get the results you are looking for, our team at Purple Plum Dentistry will use professional-grade brightening solutions and a custom-made treatment plan designed to meet your unique smile goals.

The ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Process

Woman smiling during teeth whitening treatment

Our team is proud to offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening in Falls Church, making achieving your dream smile as convenient as ever! If you want to erase unsightly stains and discoloration in as little as one hour, we recommend an in-office treatment. During your appointment, we will use a custom dosage of the whitening agent and a special light as needed to achieve the desired results. On the other hand, if you would prefer to gradually brighten your smile from the comfort of your own home, we can provide you with a personalized (equally as powerful) kit for you to use on your own.

Maintaining Your Bright Smile

The last thing you want is to lose your hard-earned results, especially once you see how absolutely gorgeous your new and improved smile is. Fortunately, you can maintain your bright, white teeth by:

  • Brushing and flossing daily
  • Visiting our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning
  • Limiting dark foods and beverages
  • Not using tobacco products
  • Keeping up with your touch-up appointments

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

a patient smiling after receiving teeth whitening in Falls Church

If you’re tired of having stained teeth and finally eager to do something about it, you might be ready to commit to teeth whitening. However, you may still have questions about the cost of having your smile brightened; understandably, many patients don’t want to break the bank to improve their smile! Once our team has had the chance to inspect your smile, we’ll be able to determine an ideal solution for brightening it and walk you through the financials. Keep reading to learn a little more about some of the things that contribute towards the cost of teeth whitening, or feel free to give us a call for additional information.

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Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

a patient smiling after receiving teeth whitening in Falls Church

Everybody’s smile is different, so the cost of teeth whitening will vary depending on your individual circumstances. That said, there are several factors that often impact how much you’ll pay for treatment. Here are some of the things that we’ll take into consideration:

  • The complexity of the staining or discoloration.
  • The type of staining; intrinsic staining is internal, whereas extrinsic staining is on the surface of teeth.
  • Any necessary preliminary treatments (such as dental fillings or gum disease therapy).

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

a patient receiving teeth whitening in Falls Church

Teeth whitening encompasses several different approaches that are used to whiten your teeth, and though these treatments all have the same ultimate goal, they aren’t always priced similarly. Here are some price-related details concerning a few of the most common methods:

  • In-Office Whitening – This is usually the quickest means of whitening teeth, and the treatment usually ranges between $400 and $800, but sometimes more.
  • Take-Home Whitening Kits – These custom-fitted trays offer convenience and flexibility, but usually cost a few hundred dollars.
  • Over-the-Counter Whitening Products – These are the cheapest, and often the most ineffective options, and usually cost $100 or less.

Inexpensive Teeth Whitening VS Professional Teeth Whitening

a closeup of teeth whitening trays in Church Falls

Many patients are tempted to whiten their teeth on their own accord; after all, who doesn’t want to save a few bucks wherever they can? But it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for, and your results will generally be reflected by the price. For example, those who use store-bought whitening products tend to achieve lackluster results and also require multiple applications, which will raise the overall cost over time. But on the other hand, professional teeth whitening in Church Falls is designed specifically for your smile, meaning that you’re certain to achieve the results you desire. A majority of patients even see noticeable changes in their appearance right away!

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

a piggy bank in Falls Church, VA

Since teeth whitening is deemed as cosmetic treatment, it’s likely not to be covered by most dental insurance plans; however, that doesn’t mean you’re entirely out of luck when it comes to lowering your out-of-pocket costs. We’re proud to offer an in-house membership plan that’ll help you lessen the cost of your desired treatment. We’re also thrilled to accept financing through CareCredit that can help break up your payment into manageable installments. Don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us so we can talk through how to make your dream smile more affordable!

Teeth Whitening FAQs

close up of a woman pointing to her white smile

If you’re fed up with over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions that just don’t deliver the results you want, then now is the time to visit your dentist in Falls Church for a professional whitening treatment. During your consultation, we’ll lay out all of the information you’ll need to know before brightening your pearly whites. In the meantime, though, we encourage you to read through this list of teeth whitening questions that we get asked the most often.

How Long Will It Take to Whiten My Teeth at Home?

The answer can vary from patient to patient. For take-home teeth whitening, we’ll design custom trays for you, which you’ll fill with an ultra-potent bleaching gel. Simply wear the trays for a certain amount of time each day (usually around 30 minutes). It typically doesn’t matter what time of day you do this; you could whiten while you’re getting ready for work in the morning or while you’re winding down in the evening with your favorite television show. Most of our patients achieve the results they’re looking for after about two weeks of using this system every day.

Does Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?

Professional teeth whitening in Falls Church is a great way for patients to remove years’ worth of stains from their smiles in as little as an hour. Unfortunately, there are a few situations in which this treatment isn’t ideal or won’t be as effective.

If your tooth discoloration is the result of an injury within the tooth, the use of certain antibiotics, or too much exposure to fluoride during childhood, then even our powerful whitening treatment may not be your best option. We’ll carefully examine your mouth and go over your oral health to determine whether another treatment, such as veneers or dental bonding, would suit you better.

Will My Teeth Be Sensitive After Getting Them Whitened?

Many people hesitate to get their teeth whitened because they have experienced tooth sensitivity and gum irritation after using store-bought products with little or even no results. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about these frustrations at all with a professional whitening treatment!

We personalize our whitening solutions for each patient to ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible. We’ll also make sure to address any cavities, gum disease, or other oral health problems that could make your treatment uncomfortable before we begin the whitening process. While your teeth may feel slightly sensitive afterward, this discomfort should be minimal and short-lived.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Teeth Whitening?

Unfortunately, most dental insurance providers don’t pay for cosmetic services like teeth whitening. However, we work with many popular insurance companies and will gladly look over your plan to see if you’re eligible for any coverage.

We also accept third-party financing through CareCredit, which provides low-to-no interest loans for qualified patients.