Cosmetic Dentistry Services
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Teeth Whitening: Achieve a Brighter, Whiter Smile
Regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings are essential for maintaining a bright smile, but sometimes it takes a little extra help to keep your teeth looking their best. Age, genetics, and lifestyle choices can all contribute to yellowing or stained teeth, but professional teeth whitening can reverse these effects and restore your confidence.What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your smile’s appearance. Over time, teeth can become discolored due to aging, diet, or smoking. Professional whitening treatments penetrate the enamel to break up stains and leave your teeth looking brighter.
Common Causes of Teeth Staining:
- Coffee, tea, cola, and red wine
- Smoking and tobacco products
- Poor oral hygiene
- Certain foods and medications
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our in-office teeth whitening provides fast, dramatic results. Using a higher concentration of peroxide, we can make your teeth several shades whiter in just one visit. This option is ideal if you have an event coming up and want to improve your smile quickly.
Am I A Good Candidate for In-Office Teeth Whitening?
Not all patients are suited for in-office treatments. If you have gum disease or sensitive teeth, the stronger whitening agents may aggravate your condition. In such cases, a custom take-home whitening kit with a lower peroxide concentration may be a better option. Also, patients with crowns, veneers, or bonded teeth should consider alternative treatments, as whitening will not change the color of these restorations.
Procedure Overview
- Initial Assessment: We start by recording the pre-treatment color of your teeth, so you can see how effective the treatment is.
- Protection: The dentist will place protective covers over your lips, gums, and tongue to shield them from the whitening gel.
- Application: A concentrated peroxide gel is applied to your teeth in cycles of 15-30 minutes, with progress checks in between.
- Final Check: After the treatment, we will assess the results and compare the final shade to the initial color. Some patients receive take-home trays to maintain their brighter smile.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you’ve tried over-the-counter whitening kits without success, our custom take-home trays may be a better fit. Made from impressions of your teeth, these trays offer a secure, comfortable fit and deliver more consistent results than store-bought options.
Am I A Good Candidate for Take-Home Teeth Whitening?
Take-home whitening may be suitable if you have mild to moderate stains and prefer to whiten your teeth gradually. However, this option might not work for intrinsic stains (such as those caused by a root canal) or for discoloration on crowns, veneers, or bonded teeth. For such cases, new crowns or veneers may be recommended.
Procedure Overview
- Custom Trays: We take impressions of your teeth to create personalized trays.
- Whitening Gel: The dentist will provide a whitening gel that fits your needs, with varying strengths available.
- At-Home Use: You’ll apply the gel to the trays and wear them for 2-4 hours each day, based on your dentist’s recommendations. Most patients see noticeable results within two weeks.
- Follow-Up: If you experience sensitivity or gum irritation, stop the treatment and contact us.
Maintaining Your Whiter Smile
Professional teeth whitening can make a significant difference, but to keep your smile bright, consider these tips:
- Limit staining foods and beverages.
- Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after consuming dark-colored drinks.
- Use a straw when drinking coffee, tea, or soda.
- Schedule regular cleanings and follow your dentist’s maintenance recommendations.
Ready for a Brighter Smile?
Teeth whitening can enhance your smile and boost your confidence. Contact us today to find out which whitening option is right for you, and take the first step toward a brighter, more radiant smile.