La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
A morning cup of coffee, an afternoon iced tea, and a glass of red wine with dinner all leave a little color behind on tooth enamel. Over the years, that color builds into a yellow or dull cast that brushing alone rarely lifts. At Rivertown Dental, we offer In-Office Teeth Whitening at our offices in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua, giving patients across Wisconsin's Coulee Region a professional way to brighten their smile close to home.
In-Office Teeth Whitening is a cosmetic treatment we perform right in our dental chair. Instead of using a store-bought kit at home and guessing at the results, you have the whitening done by our team in a single visit. We protect your gums and soft tissues, apply the whitening treatment to your teeth, and stay with you throughout the appointment.
The main advantage of the in-office approach is supervision. Our team can see how your teeth are responding as the treatment goes on, which makes the process more controlled than a home product applied without guidance. For patients who want a noticeably brighter smile without weeks of trays or strips, it is a direct and efficient option.
Patients come to us for whitening for many different reasons, and the situation often shapes how we approach it. A few we see regularly:
- Gradual staining from coffee, tea, wine, soda or tobacco
- An upcoming wedding, graduation, job interview or family photo
- Finishing clear aligner treatment and wanting the final result to look its best
- Planning other cosmetic work and wanting a brighter starting shade
- Simply feeling that their smile looks older or duller than they would like
Each of these patients wants a brighter smile, but the details differ. Someone preparing for a wedding cares most about timing. Someone planning porcelain veneers or crowns needs to think about shade matching, because whitening works on natural enamel and does not change the color of existing restorations. When whitening is part of a larger plan, we can talk it through during a cosmetic smile-design consultation so everything fits together.
Am I a good candidate for in-office whitening?
Most adults with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates, and the best way to know for sure is a dental exam. Whitening works best on teeth that are free of active decay and gum problems, so we check those first. If you are due for a dental cleaning, having it done before whitening removes surface buildup and gives the treatment a clean surface to work on.
It also helps to know what whitening can and cannot do. Fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers will not lighten along with your natural teeth, so a front crown may look different after whitening. Some types of discoloration also respond differently than everyday food and drink stains. We will look at your teeth, explain what is realistic for your smile, and suggest alternatives such as veneers or bonding if whitening alone is not the right fit. No judgment about how long it has been since your last visit; we start wherever you are.
What should I do after whitening, and how long do results last?
Right after whitening, go easy on dark, staining foods and drinks, keep brushing and flossing, and keep up with your regular cleanings. Teeth can be more prone to picking up stains in the period just after treatment, so many patients choose to limit coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco for a while. Using a straw for dark drinks and rinsing with water afterward also helps.
Some people notice temporary tooth sensitivity after whitening. Let us know if you have sensitive teeth before your appointment so we can plan for it. How long your results last depends largely on your habits. Daily coffee drinkers will usually see color return sooner than someone who rarely has staining drinks. Regular exams and cleanings at any of our four offices help keep your smile bright and let us talk about touch-ups when the time comes.
How can I pay for teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment, and we offer several ways to pay. We accept self-pay patients, and we work with many dental insurance plans. Because coverage for cosmetic care varies, call your office to confirm what your plan includes.
For patients who prefer to spread out the cost, we offer third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance. Approval depends on each lender's qualification process. Patients without insurance can also look into our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, with Classic, Deluxe and Kids options that include cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride plus a discount on treatment. Membership plans cannot be combined with insurance. Our team will gladly walk you through the options before you schedule.
The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. That means warm towelettes, blankets, headphones and clear explanations while you relax in the chair. If you are ready for a brighter smile, call the Rivertown Dental office nearest you in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua to book your whitening visit. We look forward to seeing you.
Questions
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How much does In-Office Teeth Whitening cost, and does insurance cover it?
The cost of In-Office Teeth Whitening at our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices depends on your smile and goals, so we discuss it with you at your visit before you decide. We work with many dental insurance plans, so please call your office to confirm what your plan includes. For patients without insurance we offer the Rivertown Membership Plans (our VIP Program), and qualified patients can apply for third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit or Proceed Finance, with approval subject to each lender's terms.
Does In-Office Teeth Whitening hurt?
Most of our Coulee Region patients find In-Office Teeth Whitening comfortable. If you notice any sensitivity, tell us and we will talk through your options and what to expect. The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish, with touches like a warm towelette, blanket, support pillow, headphones and essential oils.
How long does In-Office Teeth Whitening take, and is there any recovery?
In-Office Teeth Whitening is done in a single visit at our office, and we will tell you how long your appointment will take when we schedule it. There is no recovery period, so you can head back to your day afterward. We will also share simple aftercare tips to help you protect your new shade in the first days after treatment.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
How long your whitening results last depends on your habits, so results differ from person to person and we cannot promise a specific timeline. Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco can all bring back staining over time. Regular cleanings and exams at any of our four offices help keep your smile looking its best.
Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening, and what are the alternatives?
Many adults with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates for whitening, and we start with an exam to make sure it is the right fit for you. Whitening does not change the color of existing crowns, fillings or veneers, so we look at your whole smile before recommending a plan. If whitening is not the best choice, we can talk about other options we offer, such as porcelain veneers or a cosmetic smile-design consultation.