Teeth Whitening

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple bleaching procedure.

What are the details of teeth whitening?

It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive, compared to dental restorations. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth.

We need to take impressions of your mouth in order to construct custom fitted bleaching trays. Your trays will be ready for you to pick up in about a week. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only two 20-30 minute sessions a day, our special bleaching agent will show results within a few days 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. Remember that only natural teeth will bleach, not porcelain or composite restorations.

Dental bleaching can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be 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?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth Whitening

  • Corrects brown, yellow and spotted tooth staining
  • Works on most people of any age
  • Is a near-permanent solution for a dull smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile alive
  • Not all teeth bleach successfully
  • Can cause some tooth sensitivity – will disappear after bleaching is completed
  • Whitening is not permanent; re-bleaching may be needed yearly

An impression is taken to make a specialized tray to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used twice each day for 20-30 minutes for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. We suggest that you bleach your upper teeth first to get to the result you desire, then bleach the lower teeth to match the uppers. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant, but not everyone bleaches so significantly. Sometimes only subtle changes occur. 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. Many of our patients have tried them first, since they are significantly less expensive, but have gotten only spotty success. There is no harm in trying them first, but if not successful, then you should try using our bleaching process.