Dental coverage is available to about 50% of Americans with private insurance, although it typically excludes any aesthetic operations, including teeth whitening.
The typical annual cap for dental insurance is $1,500 on average. It has a three-tier structure and only covers procedures strictly related to health and wellness.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Cosmetic procedures are typically not covered by dental insurance policies.
- Dental insurance typically covers three categories of care: preventive, essential care, and major work.
- Dental insurance often pays for cleanings, sealants, and X-rays on a semi-annual or annual basis.
- Whitening your teeth is a cosmetic procedure. This indicates that it is an optional procedure rather than one that the patient’s health requires. Sadly, the majority of insurance plans—including dental insurance—do not cover cosmetic dentistry.
- Whiter teeth do not have to be out of the question due to insurance coverage. You can take steps to reduce the price of teeth whitening.
Avoiding Stains in the First Place
While maintaining good dental hygiene reduces stains, occasionally they cannot be avoided. Discoloration is divided into two categories by dentists: intrinsic and extrinsic. Because intrinsic stains are a natural component of the tooth’s composition, bleaching will not remove them. The causes of intrinsic stains are inheritance and ageing. A high fever during a critical moment when tooth enamel is developing or an excessive amount of fluoride in drinking water are other potential causes. Fluoride causes white spots on the teeth. Little can be done to eliminate these intrinsic stains because they are a natural component of the tooth.
Food, drink, or smoke stains are examples of extrinsic stains. For instance, cigarettes and coffee might discolour your teeth. Additionally, microorganisms from improper oral hygiene might result in stains. Extrinsic stains are bad news, but the good news is that people can avoid them by maintaining good oral hygiene, and they can usually be eradicated.
The two primary categories of stain-removal items are. Over-the-counter solutions known as at-home products range in price from cheap (tooth whitening toothpaste, rinses, and gel strips) to more expensive (home whitening kits). Dentists are also able to whiten discoloured teeth. Although their solutions are frequently more expensive, they produce outcomes that last for a shorter period of time.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?
Depending on the whitening technique you choose (at John T Green DDS), the price of teeth whitening will change. While professional whitening techniques are generally more expensive than at-home kits, the results may not be as noticeable right away and they may require more frequent application. Your geographic location, whether any extra operations are required, how frequently you have the procedure done, and the technology used for the teeth whitening all may have an impact on the total cost of the procedure.
The typical price of teeth whitening
The most pricey and efficient way to whiten teeth is with a laser whitening procedure, which typically costs around $1,000. The cost of in-office teeth whitening is roughly $600, which is significantly more expensive than the $5 to $50 price range of take-home kits or other teeth whitening products like gels, gums, or whitening toothpastes. However, in-office teeth whitening will produce a noticeably brighter smile because your dentist can use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
Having a custom tray made to meet your specific dental needs is a popular choice for patients who want faster and better results but are concerned about the cost. Your dentist will provide you instructions for wearing the trays at home after the tray has been created. These customised systems typically cost $250 to $500 plus an additional $30 for yearly upkeep.
Keeping Stains From Appearing
The most frequent causes of tooth discoloration include poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and excessive consumption of particular foods and beverages. Teeth discoloration may sometimes be a symptom of a deeper problem. Here are a few things you may do to enhance the appearance of your teeth if you want them to be lighter and brighter and want to save money on high office costs.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene on a daily basis is one of the best ways to prevent and treat discoloured teeth. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, ideally with fluoride- or whitening-containing toothpaste. Changing your toothbrush every three to four months is also crucial.
Avoid Foods That Stain: Even while it may be difficult, soda, tea, or a nice glass of wine can all contribute significantly to the discoloration of your teeth. Additionally, certain berries and tomato sauce might discolour your teeth.
Stop Smoking: There are many reasons why it is a good idea to stop smoking, one of which is that tobacco usage can harm your health and stain your teeth, especially if you use smokeless tobacco.
Routine Dental Exams: In addition to leading a healthy lifestyle and paying attention to your diet, having regular dental exams every six months (or more frequently for patients at risk for periodontal problems) will enable your dentist to remove plaque and stains that will make your smile look brighter.
What are the pros and cons of professional teeth whitening?
Results from professional in-office tooth whitening appear quite quickly. There is no requirement that you attend more sessions or continue the therapy for a number of weeks. You can walk out of the dentist’s office smiling. Because professional teeth whitening uses safe, non-toxic solutions that won’t damage your enamel or gums, it is also risk-free.
Additionally, contemporary peroxide teeth whitening gels don’t penetrate the teeth as deeply as older gels did, and the dentist additionally employs desensitizers like fluoride and potassium nitrate. You don’t experience much sensitivity as a result. However, outcomes from professional teeth whitening might vary, so you might not get what you’re hoping for. Additionally, professional in-office teeth whitening isn’t a long-term solution, so you might need to schedule follow-up appointments every few weeks or months to keep your teeth from reverting to their pre-whitening state.
What kind of stains is teeth whitening incapable of removing?
With professional in-office teeth whitening, you may get rid of all the surface stains on your enamel and discolouration brought on by things like ageing, smoking, and consuming meals like coffee, soda, and red wine. However, teeth that appear discoloured due to inorganic factors, dental trauma to the dentin, use of tetracycline antibiotics during the early years of teeth formation, and excessive fluoride exposure won’t be improved by professional teeth whitening. In order to determine whether teeth whitening will be effective for you, please choose a dentist in my area.
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