How is Professional Teeth Whitening Different Than Over the Counter Options

Oct 30th, 2015
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

If you have an upcoming event with a less than shiny white smile, you may be weighing your options for teeth whitening: at home, or at the dentist’s office? With dozens of at-home whitening options available, you may be wondering how professional teeth whitening options are different than over the counter options. We’re helping you make the big call when it comes to whitening your teeth.

At Home Whitening Options

When it comes to at-home teeth whitening, there is no limit to the options. Whitening rinses, gel strips, various toothpastes, and whitening trays are all common items that can be found at the local drug store. While all of these products will improve the appearance of your teeth, there are also several drawbacks to consider. For example, many whitening products that come in strip or tray form will only whiten 4-6 teeth in the front of the mouth and require up to 20 days of usage.

Furthermore, many find their teeth are too sensitive to use whitening gel or strips and experience intense pain following the application. Since at-home whitening solutions aren’t custom made for your teeth, you may end up irritating your gums and enamel, causing pain and discomfort.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Even with at-home treatments available, many people would prefer to leave it to the professionals. Pros of professional teeth whitening include:

– A custom procedure. Since this is a hands-on procedure, your dentist will customize your teeth whitening experience to suit your mouth, your teeth, and your sensitivities.

– A stronger solution. Whitening done in your dentist office result in more dramatic whitening.

– A whiter smile. At-home whitening serum’s can be cumbersome and difficult to apply. Teeth whitening in the office allows for a professional bleaching that is tailor made to your stains. For example, bleaching works very well for yellow teeth, but not for gray stains. Your dentist will be able to provide customized whitening solutions.

– Insurance options. Whether you choose at home or in the office, whitening can get expensive. Take advantage of your dental insurance and company plans.

Dental whitening is the easiest way to a healthier looking smile. Do you have an upcoming wedding, business, or family event in the Ohio area? At Easton Dentists we offer company plans and dental insurance. If you’re looking to dazzle with your whitest smile ever, contact Easton Dentists at 614-414-0111 and schedule an appointment today.

What is Scaling and Root Planing and Why Doesn’t my Insurance Consider it a Normal Tooth Cleaning?

Oct 20th, 2015
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Is your mouth in need of a thorough deep clean? Root planing and scaling can give your mouth a total turnaround and help fight against gum disease, but some hesitate to make the appointment due to dental insurance woes. Does insurance consider these procedures as a standard teeth cleaning? We’re looking at what scaling and root planing can do for you, and what your insurance has to say about it.

What is Scaling?

Sometimes referred to as “deep cleaning”, dental scaling is the process of removing harmful tartar and plaque buildup from your teeth. Left untreated, tartar and plaque buildup can attribute to gum disease. During the process of scaling, your dentist will either use a hand-held instrument, or an ultrasonic one. With a hand held instrument your dentist will identify severe tartar buildup and manually scale, or remove, plaque off of your teeth.

When using an ultrasonic instrument your dentist again will identify tartar buildup and chip it off through vibrations. The removed tartar is then washed away with water. When it comes to a nonsurgical treatment for gum disease, scaling is the way to go.

What is Root Planing?

Often combined with scaling, root planing is the act of treating gum disease. When gum disease gets severe, inflammation will cause the gum to separate from the root surface. This creates what is known as a periodontal pocket, a hard to clean area where bacteria begins to form. When your dentist performs a root planing he will remove calculus and dental plaque from the root surfaces.

Why Doesn’t my Insurance Consider These Options a Standard Tooth Cleaning?

Deep cleanings can be pricey, and dental insurance doesn’t always cover it. Some insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost, but this is not always the case. Dental insurance companies may consider this different from a standard cleaning due to the process involved. This is because unlike other cleaning procedures for your teeth, dental scaling and root planing involve cleaning below the gum line.

For more information on dental insurance, company plans, dental scaling, and root planing, schedule an appointment with Easton Dentist. Call (614) 414-0111 and schedule an appointment today.