COSMETIC TREATMENTS

Teeth Whitening

Having a beautiful smile may be easier than you think. Many people achieve brighter, cleaner looking teeth of with our simple “bleaching” procedure.

What are the details of teeth whitening?

It's safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

We accomplish tooth whitening by constructing trays that are customized to fit your teeth.  The construction of these trays require only a day or two. We provide you with a special bleaching agent (a form of hydrogen peroxide) that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile.

Dental "bleaching" can be used to correct tooth discoloration caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful “brilliant” smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.

How is teeth whitening done?

Key Benefits of Teeth Whitening

  • Corrects brown, yellow and spotted tooth staining
  • Works on people of any age
  • Is a near-permanent solution for a “dull” smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile alive

An impression is taken to make a specialized “mouthguard” or “stent” to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used each night for about 3-4 hours for a week or two.  At the end of this time, your teeth will be significant whiter. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or porcelain veneers may be more appropriate.

Considerations for Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. These products rarely have the same effectiveness as those provided by a dental office because most of the success of the bleach agent results from well-fitting trays.  It is the trays that hold the whitening agent in close and even proximity to the teeth.  OTC products rely on some type of non-custom tray that cannot hold the whitening agent on your teeth and way from your gums.  Since the whitening agent is caustic, these products can cause harm to the gums and soft tissue.  In addition, tooth whitening needs monitoring.  On occasion, the concentration of the whitening agent needs to be adjusted and/or the  trays need to be modified in order for the whitening to be successful and the procedure completed pain- free.