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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

How much will a cosmetic dentist charge to whiten my teeth if my parents won’t pay for it?

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My parents don’t want me to go to a cosmetic dentist to whiten my teeth until I’m 21. I’m 16 and have my own job. They didn’t exactly say that I can’t do it, so I know I would need to get it done on my own. I’ve been trying to talk my dad into it and I told him I will pay for it. He said he would talk to my mom and they will discuss whether or not I can get it done if I pay for it. He’s not making any promises though. For now they would never take me to the dentist themselves and put it through on their dental insurance so I’m planning on getting it done myself. I want to save enough money to cover the cost so that my parents will never get a bill. Will you please tell how much a cosmetic dentist will charge me to whiten my teeth? Thanks. Brooks

Brooks – We understand that you want a bright smile, but please understand that dentists, doctors, and other healthcare professionals must obey the law. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, this means that a minor cannot receive restorative or cosmetic treatment without the consent of his or her parent or legal guardian.

Translation: A cosmetic dentist won’t whiten your teeth without approval from your parents.

Informed Consent Process

The informed consent process requires a dentist to have a discussion with your parent or legal guardian before you receive treatment. This requires a cosmetic dentist to explain treatment options, risks, and outcomes for the treatment you’re receiving. Depending on the dentist, verbal consent or a signature will be required from a parent or legal guardian.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

If your parents agree that you can have your teeth whitened as long as you pay for it, your dentist will let you know the fees associated with it. Your cosmetic dentist will require you to have a recent dental cleaning before your teeth are whitened. The cost of teeth whitening depends on the dentist and his or her location in the U.S.

The average cost in the U.S. is below. Your actual cost might differ.

Take-home whitening: $250-$400

In-office whitening: $450-$650

Keep in mind that although most people have no problems with teeth whitening, it isn’t for everyone.

  • Your cosmetic dentist needs to examine your teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy enough for whitening.
  • If there are stains in your teeth, the cause of the stains will be determined before your teeth are whitened.
  •  In some cases, teeth whitening doesn’t help stains at all. It can even make stains worse.
  • Your dentist will let you know the results you can expect from bleaching your teeth.

It’s best to speak with your parents and calmly discuss the reasons you want your teeth whitened. Respect their decision. If you try to sneak and get it done anyway, the consequences might not be worth it.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

 

 

 

Do teeth whitening swabs work better than whitening strips?

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I always look for new ways to whiten my teeth on my own. Sometimes I hit on something that works and sometimes I have bought products what were really a waste of my money. I have received some good results with whitening strips. One of my friends told me about whitening swabs. Will these get stubborn stains out of my teeth? Davine

Davine – Before you whiten your teeth, you need the professional opinion of a dentist to anticipate the results of whitening them. In some cases, bleaching gel can make stains in your teeth more noticeable.

After you know that you are a candidate for teeth whitening, the most effective way to remove stains that are embedded in your teeth is carbamide peroxide bleaching gel that has a high concentration and that is allowed time to penetrate your teeth. Whitening trays are the best way to hold bleaching gel against your teeth so that it penetrates them.

The effectiveness of whitening swabs depends, in part, in the type and the concentration of bleaching gel used. Although you may be instructed not to eat or drink while the gel is in your teeth, you won’t get the same penetration the swabs as with customized trays, which lock out saliva and prevent your tongue, cheeks, and inner lips from rubbing off some of the gel.

We checked reviews for a few brands of whitening swabs—outside of the manufacturers’ websites. Some people say they get good results, while the majority of people are disappointed.

Consult with a cosmetic dentist for help with identifying the cause of the stains in your teeth, and finding out which whitening treatment will work best for your case.

 

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Will a dentist whiten a child’s tooth?

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My 6 yr old son had a playground accident at school in early April. The tooth is progressively getting darker. I took him to his pediatric dentist who said that the tooth is primary so it will eventually fall out so we shouldn’t worry about it. I didn’t expect my son to be so very embarrassed about the tooth but he is. He already has enough stress in school and I don’t want him to start being teased for a year or two until the tooth falls out and the permanent one comes in. How do I find a dentist who will whiten the tooth for us? Chadra

Chadra – The darkness of your son’s tooth is internal—from trauma. Tooth whitening removes stains that start from the outside and penetrate the teeth. For example coffee, smoking, certain berries, and other food or drink can penetrate the teeth and stain them. But the whitening won’t remove the darkness from trauma.

There is a way to whiten the teeth internally. The procedure typically follows a root canal treatment after the infected tooth pulp is cleaned out. The bleaching agent is placed inside the tooth and sealed in to prevent leaking. The procedure is repeated three to four times until the darkness is resolved. The procedure requires the cooperation of the patient, and it is not an option for primary teeth. Even teeth whitening for external stains is usually not recommend for children until they reach their teen years and all of their permanent teeth have erupted.

Although other children may notice your son’s tooth, a simple explanation that the tooth was injured in a playground accident may be enough to satisfy their curiosity. Based on your son’s age group, he may not be teased at all. If so, it is unlikely that he will be teased excessively or that teasing will be prolonged. You can consider preparing your son to take any teasing lightly and find a way to make a joke about it so he doesn’t feel self-conscious.

If the tooth becomes painful, you should schedule an appointment with your son’s dentist for an examination.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Why isn’t my teeth whitening working?

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I try to save money when I can and I have some friends that do their teeth whitening themselves. I am am on my 4th pkg of Luster At Home Teeth Whitening. I am barely noticing the difference from when I first started the whitening. I am wondering if I should switch to a higher strength or maybe leave the gel on longer than recommended. 30 minutes doesn’t seem to be doing it. How long can I use Luster? Thanks Sabrina

Sabrina – Based on the results you have received, it is likely that the type of Luster whitening you are using has zinc oxide as its primary whitening agent. Zinc oxide will coat your teeth and temporarily make them look whiter, but it wears off. The agent is does not reach embedded stains.

You need carbamide peroxide bleaching gel to dissolve embedded stains. The advantage of receiving teeth whitening from your dentist is that the professional-strength whitening gel used will penetrate your teeth to break up stains permanently. You can do at-home touchups as needed to keep your smile bright, but only as directed by your dentist. It is possible to over-whiten your teeth.

There are some cases in which teeth whitening, even by your dentist will have no effect on the stains. And in some cases, the bleaching gel will only make the stains more noticeable. Even when you are doing at-home whitening, we recommend that you consult with your dentist to determine if you should whiten your teeth, the strength of whitening gel that should be used, and the results you can expect. Your dentist will be able to determine the cause of the stains on your teeth, along with the best treatment to brighten your smile.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

What kind of teeth whitening will help my veneers?

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My veneers are turning yellow. I have only had them 4 years. This is really weird to me and I am not getting straight answers from the dentist who put them on. Since they started turning yellow I asked him if they are really porcelain. His answer was a fast “of course they are.” I don’t believe it. I know veneers aren’t supposed to stain and I don’t have any habits that would make them stain. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol, coffee, or tea. Nor am I eating anything that would make them stain like this. So now I am down to trying to get the veneers to at least lighten in color a bit. I have tried whitening strips and I bought some Opalescence gel online but there is no change in the color. What kind of teeth whitening will help my veneers? Thanks. Diana

Diana – There is no form of teeth whitening that will brighten your veneers. Porcelain veneers are colorfast. Although you suspect that your veneers are not made of porcelain, the material they are made of isn’t responding to teeth whitening.

You can find out whether or not your veneers are porcelain by visiting an experienced cosmetic dentist. But the dentist won’t be able to change the color. At times, the condition or color of natural teeth beneath the veneers can cause them to look darker. If that’s not true in your case, it is possible that a skilled cosmetic dentist can polish the veneers and make them look better. Otherwise, your solution is to replace them.

Photo of a porcelain veneer, which cannot be whitened, held against a natural tooth for Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek

Porcelain veneers are bonded to your natural teeth. They are colorfast and cannot be whitened.

Quality porcelain veneers can last ten to twenty years or longer. They will remain white if you properly care for them at home, and only have your veneers and teeth cleaned by a dentist and hygienist who have been trained to clean veneers.

Whenever you decide to replace your veneers find a talented, accredited cosmetic dentist to do the work. Accredited cosmetic dentists have received extensive training in aesthetic dentistry (making your teeth look beautiful, not just functional), and they have passed exams and submitted patient cases to demonstrate their expertise. You’ll get the smile you want, and it will last.

This post is sponsored by Lowell accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.