Teeth Whitening
Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Our simple in-office whitening procedure helps many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of.
Dental whitening can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we offer you a safe method for creating a beautiful bright smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of whitening treatments, teeth whitening is nearly always worth a solid try.
You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.
Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, it’s better to use products that our practice recommends.
What to Expect
During your whitening appointment, we will take an impression of your teeth which we will use to custom-make your take-home bleaching trays.
The whitening appointment takes a little over an hour for most of our patients. You are scheduled with one of our specially trained dental assistants for the treatment and they will make it a very relaxed, calming experience.
The procedure consists of a barrier material applied to your gums to protect them from the bleaching process. Once the barrier is placed, the whitening material is painted on the teeth. Each treatment takes several minutes and is repeated until the level of desired whiteness is achieved. This is usually two to three times. Next, the gum-protecting barrier is removed and you will receive your take-home care instructions. Over the course of the next few days, we will make your custom bleaching trays. As soon as they are ready, we will call you to pick them up. We will show you how to use the take-home maintenance bleach and give you personalized recommendations on how often a touch-up can be done.
For optimal results, it is best to have your whitening treatment done soon after your dental cleaning appointment. This will ensure you do not have build-up on your teeth which can impact the whitening results.
Some patients experience sensitivity of the teeth for a few days after the teeth whitening procedure. If you are having teeth whitening for a special event, like a wedding, graduation, or prom, we recommend that you schedule your appointment several weeks prior to your special event.