Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten your teeth. One way to achieve a brighter smile is to do it in the dental office setting, where we use a powerful whitening agent to whiten your teeth quickly and effectively in about an hour. Another method which is very popular is to use a custom-made professional whitening system to whiten teeth dramatically and safely at home. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after whitening so they will match the newly whitened teeth.
While teeth whitening will likely last for several years and your teeth may very well stay lighter than they used to be, it is not permanent and may get darker over time. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.
Reasons for tooth whitening:
-
Yellow, brown stained teeth
-
Normal wear of outer tooth layer
-
Stained teeth due to medications (such as tetracycline)
-
Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
What does the whitening process involve?
We offer two options for whitening your teeth:
1. In-office Whitening in about an hour
For people who are too busy to wear custom trays at home, having a Power Whitening done in the dental office while you watch TV or listen to music is the best option. A protective barrier is painted on your gums to protect your tissues. Then a powerful whitening solution is applied to your teeth for three 15 to 20 minute sessions. A custom whitening tray is also offered for touch ups in the future.
2. Take-home Professional Whitening Kit
Custom trays are worn with special whitening solution once a day for 30 minutes to an hour for about ten days depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening. You will receive care instructions for your teeth and trays, and be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.
Brighten your Smile Today!
If you have a special event coming up and would like whiter teeth in about an hour, ask us for details on how to achieve your brightest smile!
Back