Deals Episodes
Cheap Teeth Whitening
How well do those over the counter teeth whiteners work and do you really have to go to the dentist to get that really bright smile?
"I think it's really nice to be able to smile at people," said Anne Byrne, Patient. "It makes them feel good and makes you feel good and I had stopped that for a while."
Let's face it, your teeth are one of the first things most people notice. And, oftentimes first impressions are every lasting!
"Now a days having a really nice smile is really important," said Dr Lance Jue. "For your job, for finding love."
If you are looking to brighten those pearly whites, Dr Lance Jue says over the counter whitening strips will do the job, but it's going to take much more than just one box.
"The amount of concentration that's in the gel is very low, so it will take a long time to get the white teeth that you really want," said Dr Jue.
At about $50 a box you could actually save money buying one box of whiteners with much more concentration -- like Venus White Ultras. The trays come with the gell inside and should be worn eight hours every day for a week. They are sold at the dentist office for $50 to $70.
If you don't want to spend eight hours whitening, you can shorten the time to just three minutes a day, but it will cost you. Lumibrite is about $300, including the custom trays.
"This is really the most expensive way to go is an in-office whitening. The concentration of the gel is extremely high and you could probably get five to eight shades lighter in one hour," said Dr Jue.
In office whitening will run you between $250 to $500.
When you add in missing teeth and other dental issues, the price tag sky-rockets and, of course, most procedures are not covered under insurance.
"I knew I couldn't afford what I really wanted," said Mary Thomas.
Mary Thomas, who is missing her back teeth and faces other problems including stains on the front, was facing upwards of $45,000 to get that perfect smile back. Instead she's getting what's called a 'Snap on Smile' for a fraction of the cost at $2,000.
"We just kind of place them over the teeth." Says Dr Jue.
Mary can eat with them in and if taken care of this new smile will last her up to five years.
"I'm saving thousands of dollars, could be as much as $10,000." Said Anne Byrne.
Anne Byrne is also missing a tooth and longed for whiter teeth. She really wanted lumineers, pieces of porcelain boned over existing teeth. But at a thousand dollars a tooth, that was way out of her budget.
"I have small kids at home and other things I want to do at home," said Anne. "Grocery prices are up so we have to watch our money, and I want to do what I can to run the clock back at age 50 in a smart way."
She too opted for a 'Snap on Smile' on her top row and is now whitening her bottom teeth to match.
For more information visit www.lumineerssmilestudio.com.
