Teeth Whitening

Brushing twice daily, flossing once a day, and attending regular dental cleanings are the best ways to maintain bright and white teeth. However, despite your best efforts, your teeth may not always remain as white as you’d like.

Age and genetics can influence tooth color, but dietary and lifestyle choices also have a significant impact. Beverages such as tea, coffee, and red wine are common culprits for staining teeth. In addition, tobacco use can cause teeth to become stained or discolored, appearing yellow, brown, or even gray.

If you desire whiter teeth, consider discussing teeth whitening with your dentist. For those who have tried over-the-counter whitening kits without success, in-office or take-home teeth whitening treatments may yield better results.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a simple and effective way to enhance the appearance of your smile. Over time, teeth can become discolored due to aging, genetics, diet, or smoking. Teeth whitening penetrates the hard outer layer of teeth, called enamel, breaking up the compounds that cause stains. Factors such as coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and tobacco smoke can contribute to tooth discoloration.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

While whitening toothpastes and drugstore kits can help maintain your teeth’s brightness, professional teeth whitening from a dentist provides the fastest and most noticeable results. Dentists are authorized to use a more potent form of peroxide, which can whiten teeth several shades in about an hour. This option is ideal for those seeking immediate results for a special event.

Am I A Good Candidate For In-Office Teeth Whitening?

Not everyone is a candidate for in-office teeth whitening. If you have gum disease or sensitive teeth, the stronger peroxides used in dental offices could worsen your condition. A custom take-home whitening kit with lower peroxide concentrations may be a better choice, as it is designed to avoid contact with your gums.

Whitening is not effective for all people. Patients with crowns, veneers, or bonded teeth cannot have these restorations whitened. Teeth stained brown or gray may not respond well to whitening, making veneers or crowns a more suitable alternative.

Procedure Overview

A professional teeth whitening appointment begins with documenting your pre-treatment tooth color. This step allows you to see the effectiveness of the whitening treatment. The dentist then protects your lips, tongue, and gums from the whitening agent. The concentrated whitening chemicals used by dentists can irritate or damage soft tissues if they come into direct contact with them. Your gums will be shielded with a rubber dam or a liquid barrier that can be removed later. The dentist will also use a cheek retractor to expose your teeth and separate them from your lips and cheeks.

Once your mouth’s soft tissues are protected, the peroxide whitening gel is applied to your teeth. The dentist will repeat this process in several 15- to 30-minute cycles, checking the progress between each application. The entire appointment lasts approximately one to one and a half hours. When the treatment is complete, the dentist will record your post-treatment tooth color and provide any necessary take-home whitening trays to maintain your new smile. It is normal for teeth to lose some of their whiteness a few days after in-office teeth whitening due to dehydration during the process.

Contact us today to determine if teeth whitening is the right choice for you.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

For those who have tried over-the-counter whitening kits without success, our custom whitening trays may provide better results. Our trays are crafted from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. Custom trays can also cover areas that store-bought kits often miss and prevent whitening gel leakage, which can cause gum irritation or pain.

Am I A Good Candidate For Take-Home Teeth Whitening?

Not everyone will benefit from our take-home teeth whitening. Some stains cannot be treated with whitening gel. For instance, discoloration from a root canal cannot be whitened because it originates inside the tooth rather than on the outer enamel. Stains on crowns, veneers, or bonded teeth will not respond to whitening treatments. In these cases, new crowns or veneers can be an alternative option.

Procedure Overview

Obtaining a custom teeth whitening tray is straightforward.

1. We will use a special putty to create a mold of your teeth.
2. A dental lab will use these impressions to fabricate your plastic trays, which are flexible and designed to fit over your teeth.
3. When your tray is ready, the dentist will select a peroxide whitening gel that best suits your needs. Different strengths of whitening gel are available. Stronger gels can yield faster results but may cause side effects such as sensitive teeth and gum irritation.
4. The rest of the process is up to you. You will need to apply the gel to the trays and wear them for approximately two to four hours daily. The dentist will advise you on the optimal duration for your treatment.

This treatment typically lasts two to four weeks. In most cases, you should notice whiter teeth within the first two weeks. If you experience any side effects, including tooth sensitivity or irritated or painful gums, stop your treatment and call us immediately.

Please note that before you can whiten your teeth at home, you will need to undergo any necessary dental procedures such as cleanings or fillings.