Teeth Whitening – Branford, CT

Achieve a Radiant Smile

Woman using her fingers to frame her bright, beautiful smile

Due to genetics, the overconsumption of certain foods and beverages, or other factors, teeth can develop a yellow, lackluster appearance over time. If you are struggling with dental discoloration, visit our Branford dental team to learn more about your treatment options. We might recommend that you undergo one of our professional whitening services. These treatments have the potential to help you achieve a truly radiant smile in a short amount of time.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group for Teeth Whitening?

In-Office and Take-Home Options Available
Remove Even Stubborn Dental Stains
Safe, Effective, and Fast Treatment

Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Dental shade guide next to main’s teeth

Teeth often become discolored due to the consumption of things like coffee, tea, and red wine. Genetics, certain medications, smoking, and other factors can also contribute to staining. Whether your stains are intrinsic (in the enamel) or extrinsic (on the surface of the enamel), professional whitening may be able to help you achieve a new glow and fresh confidence. During your cosmetic consultation, our team will help you understand your options for brightening your smile.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Woman’s smile before and after teeth whitening treatment

Teeth whitening formulas use a form of peroxide or another whitening agent to penetrate the tooth enamel and break up unwanted pigment molecules. There are many different bleaching products on the market, but in our practice, we prefer to use the popular and highly rated Zoom! system. When you visit us for whitening, we will customize your treatment to suit your needs and preferences. For example, we will determine whether a take-home or in-office treatment is the best fit for you.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Whitening trays and whitening solution against plain background

Take home whitening kits use custom dental trays that you fill with a powerful whitening formula. You simply have to use the kit as instructed, and you should start to notice a difference in your teeth within a few days. Often, final results take about two weeks to achieve.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Dental patient admiring her teeth in the mirror

If you want to brighten your smile as quickly as possible — for example, if you have an important event in the near future — we may recommend an in-office Zoom! whitening treatment. We simply apply a bleaching gel and activate it with a special light. In as little as one hour, your teeth may become up to eight shades brighter!

Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile

Young woman brushing her teeth in front of mirror

Your teeth will still be able to incur new stains after your whitening treatment. To protect your results, you should:

Eat dairy products to strengthen your teeth.
Minimize your intake of highly pigmented foods and beverages. (If you drink coffee or tea, it is best to consume them through a straw.)
Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
Maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine.
Visit us regularly for professional teeth cleanings.
Request whitening touch-up treatments when necessary.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Dental shade guide next to patient’s teeth

Teeth whitening is one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry services, though its price can vary depending on circumstances. For example, whether you choose in-office or take-home whitening can influence costs. Our Branford team will be happy to share pricing information and explain your payment options.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Close-up of person’s smile before and after teeth whitening

In most cases, teeth whitening is one set price, though some factors can make it cost more:

Severe discoloration. Severe and deep-set stains may require special measures to remove, which logically leads to higher costs.
The type of discoloration. Teeth whitening is effective for most extrinsic (on the surface of the enamel) stains and some types of intrinsic (within the enamel) stains. If you have a type of discoloration that does not usually respond well to whitening formulas, we may have to explore other options.
Preparatory care. You should have sound oral health before you get your teeth whitened. Issues like cavities and gum disease need to be addressed before your whitening service.

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

Woman using at-home teeth whitening system

There are four main categories of teeth whitening:

In-office teeth whitening is the fastest way to brighten your smile, but it also has the highest cost. The price typically ranges from $400 to $800, though it might run over $1,000 in certain cases.
Take-home teeth whitening kits from a professional dental team, which are customized to your unique needs, start out at a few hundred dollars.
Over-the-counter whitening trays, which are not customized, often run $100 or less.
Whitening strips and gels are the cheapest option. In most stores, you can get enough product for a two-week whitening course for less than $50.

Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Options

Woman undergoing in-office teeth whitening procedure

After reviewing the numbers listed above, an obvious question arises. Why would anyone choose professional whitening services when lower-priced options are so readily available? There are a few reasons:

Professional whitening products are more effective because they usually contain more concentrated ingredients than OTC options. You can get more noticeable results in a shorter period of time.
Professional whitening may be safer. We carefully screen patients to make sure they are good candidates for teeth whitening, and we only use products that have a track record of safety and effectiveness. In contrast, some OTC products are abrasive and might damage tooth enamel.
Professional whitening is customizable. For example, we can make accommodations for patients with sensitive teeth or other concerns.

Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Patient preparing to sign paperwork in dental office

Teeth whitening is classified as a purely cosmetic procedure, so you should not expect your dental insurance to cover it. However, you might choose to take advantage of other provisions that may make this service more affordable.

Our practice accepts financing through CareCredit and Sunbit. The application process for these options is very fast, and most patients are readily approved for credit. Many people are eligible for low-interest or no-interest payment plans.
You can sign up for the Essential Dental plan, which provides discounts on most of the services available in our office.

Are you interested in learning more about teeth whitening and its cost? We invite you to get in touch with our Branford team to ask questions or request a cosmetic consultation. We look forward to serving you!

Teeth Whitening FAQs

If you are bothered by dental stains and want to brighten up your smile, our Branford team is eager to assist you. Before you visit us, though, you might want to know more about this service and what you should expect from it. Below, you will find answers to some common questions. If your specific questions are not covered here, give us a call — we would love to speak with you!

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

We do everything we can to make treatments as comfortable as possible for our patients. However, the nature of teeth whitening can cause some discomfort. The bleaching formulas we use open the tiny pores in tooth enamel, which can make it easier for outside stimuli to irritate the nerves inside the teeth. Therefore, a temporary increase in sensitivity is common with whitening treatments.

If you are already prone to sensitivity, let us know so we can customize your treatment accordingly. We will also give you tips to reduce discomfort while you are waiting for the increased posttreatment sensitivity to fade.

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

There are some key differences between professional and store-bought teeth whitening options:

Professional formulas tend to be more powerful and more effective.
Professional treatment is customizable for patients with sensitive teeth or stubborn types of discoloration.
The custom trays used for at-home professional whitening can protect your sensitive soft tissues from being exposed to the whitening formula.
Dentists always use whitening methods that have a track record of safety and consistently.

Store-bought whitening can be moderately effective, but it is not always the safest or best option.

How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Results Last?

Here are some tips to reduce the occurrence of new stains after your teeth whitening treatment:

Stick to a good oral hygiene routine. You should brush twice a day, floss daily, and regularly use mouthwash.
Attend regular dental checkups and cleanings. A professional cleaning can remove some surface stains.
Drink dark beverages through a straw. This reduces the amount of contact that the liquid has with your teeth.
Limit your consumption of dark foods. Things like berries, barbecue sauce, and red wine can all lead to stains.
Avoid bad habits. You should not smoke or engage in other activities that are damaging for oral health.

Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

If your oral health is sound and you wish to brighten your smile, it is likely that you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. If you have untreated cavities or gum disease, they should be addressed before you move forward with any cosmetic services.

Also, keep in mind that whitening is not effective for veneers, crowns, or other types of restorations. If you have restorations toward the front of your mouth, they might need to be replaced in order for you to achieve a uniformly bright smile.