Are your teeth becoming stained from your morning coffee or tea? Or perhaps it’s the occasional glass of red wine, or one of many other foods and drinks that is gradually discolouring your teeth. Whatever the cause, you may be wondering what you can do to whiten your smile.
The first step is to check with a dentist, to be sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough for a dental whitening treatment such as Opalescence Boost, and to find out if you have dental issues to be treated first.
What Causes Tooth Discolouration?
Plaque and tooth decay cause tooth discolouration. Stains below the outer enamel, or intrinsic stains, can occur for a variety of reasons, including oral injury, medical conditions, and certain medications.
For teeth whitening purposes, extrinsic stains, or surface stains, are the types of discolourations that can be helped by whitening.
These stains are usually caused by certain foods, drinks, or tobacco. The most common offenders are coffee, tea, red wine, pop, dark fruits and fruit juices, and tobacco.
Teeth Whitening Treatment Types
There are a variety of at-home teeth whitening options, as well as in-office choices.
Cost of Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Strips and Pens
Common at-home teeth whitening products include strips, packs and pens, usually with a teeth whitening gel. These use a lower concentration of whitening agents, so give a less-noticeable effect.
These are easy to apply, but may only whiten a few of your front teeth, and may have uneven results. Some over-the-counter products may contain harmful ingredients that can damage your teeth or cause sensitivity. Also, if not applied properly, they won’t work as well or increase the risks of damaging teeth, especially if you have any undiagnosed or untreated dental concerns. These can also cause sensitivity issues.
These products can cost as little as $30, and usually need to be used a few times per month.
Whitening Trays Cost
You can get over-the-counter whitening trays for under $100, but these can be messy and give uneven, inconsistent results, unlike custom whitening trays. Similar to other over-the-counter treatments, they may also cause tooth sensitivity, use lower concentrations of bleaching ingredients, and have similar risks to dental health.
You can also get custom whitening trays from your dentist. Prices range from $100 to $600.
Whitening Toothpaste Cost
The cheapest option that is available, whitening toothpastes cost about $5 to $15. Within a couple of months, they gradually polish away light surface stains. These have the least noticeable results, but are excellent, however, for prolonging the effects of any whitening treatment.
Professional Teeth Whitening Costs
Professional teeth whitening costs more, but it’s done under supervision at the dentist’s office for safety and dental health. Professional whitening produces faster, more noticeable results. The cost of in-office teeth whitening varies by the specific treatment and the experience of the professional. The cost of in-office dental teeth whitening methods range from $200 – $1,000, but treatments only need to be refreshed once or twice a year.
Laser Teeth Whitening Cost
Laser teeth whitening is one of the newer professional teeth whitening options, and is fast and effective. Out of all tooth whitening options, laser whitening is the most expensive method, however, with the average cost ranging from $800-1,500.
Zoom (LED) Cost
Zoom is an effective whitening method using LED lights. A treatment takes about an hour. Like many whitening methods, Zoom can cause sensitivity. The average cost of in-office teeth whitening with Zoom ranges from $300 and $600 per treatment.
Kor Whitening Cost
Kor oxygenates teeth to reduce teeth staining. The initial treatment is an in office whitening treatment, but secondary, monthly treatments are at home. Treatment costs between $500 and $1,000.
Opalescence Boost Cost
Opalescence Boost is the most recommended professional tooth whitening system. This gel has whitening substances that strengthen tooth enamel. It whitens without UV light, so it’s a great option for those with hypersensitive teeth. It even works on discolourations caused by medications and tooth trauma, as well as surface stains. Opalescence costs about $550 per treatment.
Are You a Good Candidate for Whitening?
Teeth whitening may not be recommended for those with veneers, crowns, or dental implants or bonding. Also, whitening won’t help if your stains are intrinsic, below the outer enamel, and won’t help a dead tooth. It works only on extrinsic, surface stains. Finally, if you have worn enamel or have sensitive teeth, whitening may not be recommended for you. If you have tooth decay or gum disease, this will need to be treated first.
Ready for a Whiter Smile?
Dentistry on Wellington understands how important your smile is. We specialize in Opalescence, as the most recommended, non-invasive, and cost-effective method. A session lasts only a half hour to an hour, giving immediate results.
We will make sure you are confident about any treatment, and strongly believe in patient education and communication. Book your consultation to get your teeth whitened today, for a brighter smile.
Dr. Thapar is a highly skilled and passionate dentist who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his practice in Toronto. With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree specializing in Health Services Management from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business and a dental degree from the prestigious University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, he is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care to his patients.
During the initial years of his career, Dr. Thapar served under serviced areas in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), gaining valuable experience and contributing to improving oral health in underserved communities. Now, he is excited to bring his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence to the heart of Toronto in the St. Lawrence Market Neighborhood.
Dr. Thapar is a proud member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, the Ontario Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Tau Tau Chapter, which places him in the top 10% of graduating dentists of his class. Membership in these organizations reflects his dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry and providing his patients with the highest quality of care.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Thapar is an avid sports fan, particularly supporting the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Raptors. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children, creating cherished memories together.
With his exceptional qualifications, commitment to community service, and passion for dentistry, Dr. Thapar is dedicated to delivering personalized and compassionate dental care to the residents of Toronto. Patients can trust in his expertise and expect a comfortable and enjoyable dental experience under his care.