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Teeth Whitening – Federal Way, WA

Brighten Teeth Multiple Shades Quickly and Easily

When you take a close look at your smile in the mirror, what do you see? Are your teeth white—or is the color beginning to match that café au lait you had this morning? Coffee is certainly a popular beverage around this town, but it’s not without a few drawbacks, one of which is stains on your teeth. Fortunately, there is a convenient and affordable solution. Cosmetic dentist, Dr. Beaty offers Zoom! whitening in Federal Way to lift stains and discoloration. And if you are a new patient, then you can take advantage of our special offer—Zoom! teeth whitening for only $459 after the $40 mail-in rebate!

Why Choose Drew Beaty, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for Teeth Whitening?

  • Powerful Bleaching Gels Not Available in Stores
  • Fast Whitening In One Visit
  • Caring Dentist That Caters to Your Needs

woman covering smile

Reasons for Stained and Discolored Teeth

Infants have teeth that are almost perfectly white. Permanent teeth, however, are white but tend to have an undertone that is yellow, gray or brown. As we age, this tone usually becomes more noticeable. But in addition to this genetic programming, there are several other reasons why our smiles darken.

As mentioned above, coffee is a leading culprit, along with many other beverages and foods including tea, red wine, tomato sauce, berries, chocolate and more. Smoking and chewing tobacco contain nicotine, which can cause deep stains, too. Other factors that contribute to a less than white smile include:

  • Microscopic cracks in tooth enamel that trap food debris
  • Teeth grinding
  • Radiation and some forms of chemotherapy treatment for cancer
  • The antibiotic tetracycline if taken during tooth development

man getting teeth whitening

Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?

Dr. Beaty and his team realize that there are many ways to whiten your teeth and many of them are sitting on the shelf at your grocery store or pharmacy. And that’s the problem—they are sitting on a shelf and there’s no telling how long they’ve been there. For the best results, whitening ingredients need to be fresh and potent.

With professional teeth whitening in Federal Way, you can be certain that your smile is being treated with a solution that is strong and safe. Dr. Beaty has chosen Zoom! by Phillips. This whitening system uses a higher concentration of either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to eliminate extrinsic and intrinsic stains—those that are on the surface of teeth as well as those below.

woman smiling with white smile

The Teeth Whitening Process

A one-hour treatment is all you need to have a white and rejuvenated smile. The Zoom! bleaching gel is applied, and a special lamp directed toward your teeth speeds and enhances the whitening process. These steps can be repeated until the desired degree of whiteness is achieved. Most patients leave with a smile that is several shades brighter.

Ready to learn more about Zoom! teeth whitening or our special offer? Get in touch with Dr. Beaty’s office today. We warmly welcome patients from Auburn, Seattle, Tacoma, Lakeland South, and all surrounding areas.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Woman’s beautiful smile after teeth whitening in Federal Way

Teeth whitening in Federal Way is one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments. It’s a perfect way to spruce up your smile without spending a ton of money! With that being said, it’s important to keep in mind that there are multiple factors that can affect the cost of whitening your teeth. When you visit us for your consultation, we will provide you with a price estimate and explain all of your payment options.

Woman with one tooth whiter than the rest

Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is usually one set price, but there are some circumstances that can raise its overall cost, including:

  • The degree of discoloration. Logically, it will be easier for professional treatments to get rid of light stains than it will be to vanquish deep-set, dark discoloration.
  • The type of staining. There are numerous potential causes of dental stains. For example, discoloration from age, food, cigarettes, and medication might call for different treatments.
  • Your oral health. If you have untreated cavities, they will need to be addressed before you get your teeth whitened. And if you have restorations on your front teeth, keep in mind that they will not respond to whitening treatment. You might need to get them replaced so your smile doesn’t end up with mismatched coloration.
Woman holding up set of teeth whitening strips

Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?

There are quite a few different whitening treatments on the market, from high-end professional treatments to box kits that you can get at the corner store. Here is a breakdown of some typical teeth whitening costs:

  • In-office whitening can run in the range of $400 - $800, but in rare cases it might cost $1,000 or more. In our practice, we charge only $459 for in-office Zoom whitening (after your $40 mail-in rebate).
  • Custom whitening kits from a dentist may cost a few hundred dollars. These are often great for touch-ups after an in-office treatment.
  • Over the counter whitening trays are usually around $100 or less. The trays they use are not custom.
  • Over the counter whitening strips or gels may cost $20 - $40. Each box usually contains enough product for a two-week whitening course.
Woman using mirror to admire results of teeth whitening

Cost vs. Value — Why Choose Professional Whitening?

If you only focus on the numbers above, over the counter whitening options might seem like the logical choice, but it’s important to consider exactly what you are getting for the price. With treatments from a cosmetic dentist in Federal Way, you get the guidance and supervision of a trained professional. Your safety and satisfaction are their top priorities, and you can achieve a new glow in as little as one day.

OTC options are more likely to cause gum irritation due to ill-fitting trays or strips. Plus, it may take weeks or months to produce results. If your dental stains are particularly severe, you may never get the look you were hoping for.

Young woman happy she could afford teeth whitening

Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable

Dental insurance almost never covers teeth whitening because it is an elective procedure. However, there are some provisions that might make your brighter smile more affordable:

  • Most patients qualify for a low-interest or no-interest payment plan through CareCredit.
  • In-house savings plan. When you sign up for our membership plan, you can enjoy 15% off of most services.

You might be surprised by how easy it is to afford a new glow for your smile! Schedule a consultation today to learn more about teeth whitening and its cost.

Teeth Whitening FAQs

Even after reading all about teeth whitening above, you may still have some questions or concerns about the treatment. That’s why we’ve taken the liberty of answering some of the questions about teeth whitening in Federal Way that we get asked the most often.

How Can I Make My Results Last?

Because you just invested time and money into a teeth whitening treatment, it’s understandable that you want your results to last as long as possible. Unfortunately, even our professional whitening isn’t meant to last forever. However, there are a few measures you can take to prolong the lifespan of your newly brightened smile, some of which include:

  • Brushing and flossing on a daily basis
  • Visiting us every six months for a checkup and cleaning
  • Maintaining a nutritious diet
  • Consuming staining drinks like coffee and tea through a straw to minimize direct contact with the teeth
  • Quitting bad oral habits like smoking and nail-biting

If you have any questions, or if you notice your teeth are starting to become discolored again, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’ll be more than happy to give you more tips to maintain your results.

Will Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Many over-the-counter whitening products contain ingredients that are not approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) and may in fact be harmful. One of the most common side effects is enamel erosion, which results in sensitivity and may increase your risk of cavities.

When you visit Dr. Drew Beaty for teeth whitening treatment, however, you can rest easy knowing our product doesn’t contain any ingredients that could harm your teeth. Our system has been approved by the ADA, guaranteeing its safety. Typically, our patients experience little to no sensitivity after treatment; if they do, it’s temporary and extremely mild.

Is Teeth Whitening Bad for My Oral Health?

Store-bought kits can be a bit unpredictable when it comes to how they affect the health of your pearly whites. That’s why we highly recommend visiting a dentist for professional treatment instead. We only use the best products that won’t damage or irritate your teeth and gums.

I Have a Dental Restoration. Can I Still Get My Teeth Whitened?

We usually do not recommend that patients with dental restorations undergo teeth whitening. This is because crowns, veneers, fillings, and bridges are not porous like tooth enamel. As a result, the bleaching gel won’t affect them nearly as much. This would cause your restorations to stand out in your smile amongst your freshly brightened teeth.

Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat After Whitening My Teeth?

Actually, yes! To prevent noticeable stains from resurfacing, we recommend steering clear of dark-colored foods and sauces, like mustard, blackberries, tomato soup, and marinara sauce. Instead, fill your plate with foods that are lighter in color, like egg whites, oatmeal, bananas, and plain yogurt.

Tip: Drink lots of water throughout the day too! In addition to keeping you hydrated, this will help prevent dry mouth and remove food particles from your teeth.

What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?

There are several noteworthy differences between the two, starting with the fact that professional whitening treatments use high-quality brightening gels and custom applicators while over-the-counter alternatives use diluted whitening gels and one-size-fits-all applicators. Another noteworthy difference is that professional treatments start with a comprehensive oral exam to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. Conversely, store-bought kits don’t take into account the state of your oral health or if you have any existing dental work, like fillings or crowns.

Ultimately, if you are interested in lifting stubborn stains, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment at our dental office in Federal Way. That way, we can learn all about your smile goals, conduct an oral exam, and determine if teeth whitening is the best treatment for you.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?

How long it takes to achieve the results you desire depends on a few factors, including how significant the existing stains are. With that said, our in-office treatments allow us to lighten your smile by several shades in just one hour! That’s because we use Zoom! bleaching gel and a special lamp, which are designed to lift even the most stubborn stains.

When Should I Start the Teeth Whitening Process?

When patients hear that in-office treatments only take an hour, they often think that they can wait until the day before to schedule an appointment. However, if you want a bright, white smile in time for an important event, like a wedding or job interview, it’s important not to wait until the last minute. After all, we may need to provide preliminary care first, like a tooth-colored filling or gum disease treatment. Plus, depending on your smile goals, we may need to schedule a few appointments to achieve the results you desire. Simply put, if you’re interested in professional teeth whitening, don’t wait – schedule a consultation with us now so we have plenty of time to give you the healthy, happy smile you deserve.