Whitening

Tooth whitening is quickly becoming the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. Whitening is often the first step in cosmetic improvements because it is non-invasive and sometimes it is all that is needed to dramatically improve your appearance. In some cases, bleaching can lighten teeth up to eight shades.

We will start with an evaluation of the color of your teeth. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration, and results do vary. Yellow-ish hued teeth usually bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have already had bonding, porcelain crowns or veneers, or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

Bleaching agents are peroxide-based, and their safety has been verified by many scientific studies. The most commonly observed side effects to hydrogen or carbamide peroxide are tooth sensitivity and occasional irritation of the soft tissues in the mouth, particularly the gums. Tooth sensitivity often occurs during early stages of bleaching treatment. Tissue irritation, in most cases, results from an ill-fitting tray or tooth-bleaching agent inadvertently contacting the gums. Both of these conditions usually are temporary and stop shortly after the treatment.

We offer three different options for whitening: in-office bleaching, at-home bleaching, and crest white strips.

In-office whitening
We will take a pre-procedure photo, and we will take impressions to make you personalized trays for future touch-ups and maintenance (you will also receive an at-home bleaching kit). Then a protective gel is applied to your gums, and the bleaching agent is applied to your teeth. A special light is applied to enhance the properties of the bleaching agent. The entire process takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Results are visible right away; however, depending on the amount of lightening desired, several sessions may be necessary.

At-home whitening
We will take impressions to make personalized trays. You will receive an at-home bleaching kit and instructions for use. The trays are lined with a small amount of bleaching material and worn for about 60 minutes daily. Desired results are usually achieved in about two weeks, but you can modify the length of time daily or duration depending on results. Touch-ups are often done every six months to a year, and additional kits can be purchased as needed.

Crest Whitening Strips Supreme
The Crest Whitening Strips we offer are stronger in strength than the over-the-counter Strips. Often times, they are an inexpensive way to achieve some lightening, and they can help determine how amenable your teeth are to bleaching.