Teeth Whitening – South Portland, ME
Brighten Your Smile!
Are your teeth discolored? Whether the stains are prominent or something that only you can notice, there’s good news: our team at Gannett Drive Dental offers both in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments in South Portland! If you’re ready to begin the process of transforming your smile, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gagnon. Otherwise, you can read on to learn more about this popular cosmetic dental treatment.
Why Choose Gannett Drive Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Top-Rated Office in South Portland
- In-Office and Take-Home Treatments Available
- CareCredit Flexible Financing Welcome
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you have ever wished that your smile was whiter and brighter, teeth whitening might be right for you. Through professional teeth whitening, we can lighten staining and discoloration caused by various factors, such as:
- The natural aging process
- Poor dental hygiene habits
- Consumption of certain drinks and foods, including tea, wine, coffee and soda
- Smoking and other forms of tobacco use
- Illness
- Certain medications
- Fluorosis
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
At our South Portland dental office, we offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments. Although the process of lifting stubborn stains looks a bit different depending on the type you choose, the end result will be the same: a noticeably whiter smile that will boost your self-esteem and help you smile with pride. Of course, our cosmetic dentist will work with you to determine the right treatment for you, but you can read on to learn a bit more in the meantime too.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you want to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home, you might be tempted to purchase an over-the-counter kit. However, these products over-promise and under-deliver time and time again. Our take-home whitening treatments are different because they use powerful whitening agents and personalized applicators, ensuring you get the bright, beautiful smile you deserve with consistent use.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening treatments are extremely popular among patients who have a wedding, family reunion, or another important event rapidly approaching. That’s because you can noticeably enhance your smile in just one visit! In this case, we apply a powerful (yet safe) whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. This gel works to lighten the appearance of stains, discoloration, and yellowing on the tooth enamel.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
To prevent discoloration from resurfacing shortly after your whitening treatment, we recommend:
- Eating lots of light-colored foods, like white fish, bananas, and oatmeal
- Using a straw when drinking coffee, soda, wine, and juice
- Brushing your teeth after each meal
- Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash each evening
- Quitting smoking and any other habits that can stain your teeth
- Getting a dental checkup and teeth cleaning semi-annually
To learn more about professional teeth whitening and to set up your consultation at our dental office, please call us today.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Cost is one of the biggest factors people consider before brightening their smiles. Even though teeth whitening is generally more affordable than many other cosmetic services, the price can feel heavier because it’s generally not covered by dental insurance. At Gannett Drive Dental, we’re happy to walk you through your options so you understand the cost of teeth whitening in South Portland, what affects it, and how we can help you fit treatment into your budget.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
During your consultation, our team will evaluate your smile, talk through your goals, and recommend an approach that balances effectiveness, speed, and affordability. The cost of teeth whitening varies from person to person, mostly influenced by a few core factors, such as:
- Starting Shade: Darker or more stubborn discoloration may require additional treatments.
- Type of Staining: Extrinsic (surface) stains lift more easily than deep, intrinsic (internal) discoloration.
- Whitening Method: Over?the?counter products, professional take?home trays, and in?office whitening each come with different costs and strengths.
- Necessary Preparatory Treatments: Teeth whitening doesn’t mix with cavities or gum disease, so those types of issues will need to be treated prior to whitening.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
When comparing costs for different teeth whitening methods, it helps to zoom out and take a top-down look at typical costs across the spectrum. For example:
- Whitening Strips and Gels: Drugstore strips and brush-on gels are the cheapest, generally coming with two-weeks of treatment for $20 to $40 per box. However, they offer mild results and may require frequent repurchasing.
- Generic Over-the-Counter Kits: These include trays and basic whitening gel at a slightly higher cost—usually around $60 to $100—with moderate improvement over time.
- Professional Take-Home Whitening: Custom trays and professional-strength gel from our office cost more than store-bought kits but provide safer, more even, results.
- In-Office Whitening: This is usually the highest upfront cost, but it delivers the most dramatic change in a single visit, often several shades brighter.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
When it comes to whitening, you’ll have to balance three things: cost, speed, and results.
- Over-the-counter options are inexpensive, but they take longer and usually provide subtle changes.
- Professional take-home kits offer a middle ground—more powerful gel for better results over a few weeks.
- In-office whitening costs more upfront, but it delivers the most dramatic change in the shortest time.
This is why many people still choose professional treatment despite the higher price: it offers the best combination of reliability, safety, and noticeable results.
Options For Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Even though insurance rarely covers whitening, your brighter smile can still be within reach. At Gannett Drive Dental, we partner with CareCredit, a popular financing platform that specializes in medical and dental spending.
CareCredit lets you divide the cost of teeth whitening into manageable monthly payments, sometimes with little to no interest for qualified patients. This flexibility makes it easier to choose treatment based on what’s best for your smile, not just your wallet.
With the right plan in place, you can enjoy a whiter, more confident smile without straining your budget. Ready to start your treatment? Contact our office today and schedule a consultation!