Take-Home Teeth Whitening – Kansas City
Achieve a Brighter, Whiter Smile!
Tooth discoloration is a natural part of aging. However, it is still a big reason why people are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth. Fortunately, if you have discoloration, you don’t have to settle for it. Dr. Michael C. Byars offers take-home teeth whitening kits at his office in Kansas City. This way, you can achieve dramatic results in just a couple of weeks. To learn more about teeth whitening or to schedule a consultation, give us a call.
Why Choose Michael C. Byars, DDS for Teeth Whitening?
- Customized for Each Patient
- Conveniently Completed at Home
- Dramatic, Bright Results
Who Is a Good Candidate for Take-Home Teeth Whitening?
Tooth discoloration can be caused by a wide range of different things. Here are some of the most common reasons staining occurs:
- Aging
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tobacco use
- Pigmented beverages
- Sugary/acidic foods
- Certain medications
- Genetic factors
Some types of discoloration can be prevented with an excellent oral hygiene routine. However, others aren’t in your control. There are two different types of stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the teeth and are usually caused by food, beverages, and tobacco products. Intrinsic stains are the result of medicines, so you should discuss this with your doctor if it is something that you are unhappy with. Another cosmetic option, like veneers, may be more suitable to correct this.
How Does Take-Home Teeth Whitening Work?
The great thing about take-home teeth whitening is that you can complete it on your own time, in the comfort of your own home. We will provide you with a kit that contains custom-made trays and a teeth whitening solution. You will need to wear the trays for a certain amount of time each day. Professional teeth whitening kits from a dentist are much stronger than anything you can find over the counter. In just a couple of weeks, you will see dramatic results.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The results of professional teeth whitening will last a lot longer if you take additional steps to maintain them. Here are some practices that you should implement if you aren’t already:
- Brush twice and floss once daily
- Limit dark-colored beverages
- Avoid tobacco products
- Attend regular cleanings & checkups
- Consider touchup treatments
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Trying to understand the cost of teeth whitening in Kansas City can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re comparing the price of a professional treatment and different store-bought solutions. Ultimately, you have to do what’s best for your budget, and we understand that. To help patients make informed decisions about teeth whitening, we’ve put together some information about different cost factors and your options for making treatment more affordable. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions!
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Dr. Byars personalizes each cosmetic dentistry treatment to suit each patient’s unique needs and goals. As such, teeth whitening costs can vary depending on a number of factors. For example:
- In cases of severe dental staining, it might be necessary to undergo multiple rounds of whitening treatment in order to achieve the desired results.
- Patients with cavities, gum disease, or another oral condition will need preliminary treatments designed to take care of the issue.
- Dental restorations and veneers can’t be whitening like natural teeth, and often have to be polished separately or replaced.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
Many patients wonder how the cost of take-home whitening treatments compares to simple solutions they can find at the store. Here’s a brief breakdown of each method’s average expenses:
- Professional Take-Home Whitening Kits: $200 - $600.
- Store-Bought Whitening Trays: $100 or less.
- OTC Gels, Strips, and Toothpaste: $7 - $40 (ultimately depends on the product and retailer).
Professional Teeth Whitening VS Store-Bought Teeth Whitening
As you can see, the teeth whitening products you can get at your local grocery store are likely to be cheaper than a professional alternative. Why is that?
Unlike these mass-produced options, our professional take-home teeth whitening kit will be perfectly tailored to your smile. This includes personalized details like form-fitting trays as well as fine-tuned adjustments such as diluting the whitening agents to be gentler on sensitive teeth. Overall, Dr. Byars’ skill and dental expertise make our whitening process much safer and more effective than any other OTC solution!
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
We believe that quality is well-worth its weight in gold. After all, why settle for purchasing multiple products in the hopes that one of them will finally deliver the noticeable whitening results you want when you can get the job done in two weeks with some guidance from your cosmetic dentist? But we also know that since dental insurance doesn’t usually cover cosmetic dentistry treatments, affording teeth whitening in Kansas City can be difficult.
To alleviate stress and provide more patients with dental excellence, Dr. Byars proudly accepts CareCredit. Once you sign up for a little-to-no-interest monthly payment plan, you’ll be able to pay for your treatment at your own pace, rather than all at once. Contact our team if you’re interested, and we’ll gladly help you apply!
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Since professional whitening treatments are customizable and take-home products lift stubborn stains gradually, we can confidently say that the answer is “no.” With that said, slight sensitivity is normal, so it’s best to take certain precautions to make the smile makeover process as comfortable as possible. We recommend sticking to room-temperature water, avoiding extremely hot/cold foods, and using a desensitizing toothpaste.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?
Although many patients notice improvements after just one use, take-home teeth whitening treatments in Kansas City typically take two weeks. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait until a few weeks before your wedding, a job interview, or another important event to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael C. Byars. After all, it may take more than one treatment to achieve the results you desire, and some patients need preliminary care, like a tooth-colored filling, before we can discuss cosmetic services like this. So, it’s important that you don’t wait until the last minute to get an appointment with us on the calendar!
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat After Whitening My Teeth?
Yes, you should steer clear of dark-colored foods that can cause stubborn stains to resurface. A few examples include tomato soup, beets, marinara sauce, and soy sauce. Instead, fill your plate with cottage cheese, plain yogurt, bananas, white rice, and the like.
Tip: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, too! In addition to keeping you hydrated and reducing your risk of dry mouth, this will help prevent food particles and residue from lingering on your teeth.
How Are Store-Bought Kits and Professional Whitening Treatments Different?
Oftentimes, patients assume the differences between store-bought kits and professional whitening treatments begin and end with price. The truth is that there are several other noteworthy ones, starting with the fact that we complete a comprehensive oral exam to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. We also use professional-grade brightening agents and custom trays to ensure you get the bright, flawless results you desire, while over-the-counter options contain diluted whitening gels and flimsy applicators.
Is There a Way to Make Teeth Whitening More Affordable?
Unfortunately, dental insurance providers rarely cover the cost of elective treatments, like teeth whitening. There is good news, though: that’s not the only way to make the cost more affordable. With trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit, you can break up the price into smaller, more manageable chunks instead of having to pay for the entire thing in one lump sum.
Can I Drink Coffee After My Teeth Whitening Treatment?
Since dark-colored beverages like coffee can cause stubborn stains to quickly surface, we don’t recommend it, especially in the hours immediately following your teeth whitening treatment. If your morning or afternoon cup is an integral part of your routine, then make sure that you use a straw to prevent the liquid from coming in contact with your teeth. Then, when you’re done, rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water.