Teeth Whitening

Is Professional Teeth Whitening Right for You?

Power bleaching and chairside teeth whitening are other terms used to describe in-office teeth whitening treatments, and these treatments are performed under the supervision of your dentist. Our dentists use a highly concentrated bleaching gel to remove stains quickly and safely.

If you have healthy teeth and gums and are looking to remove stubborn, yellowish stains from your teeth, you may be an ideal candidate teeth whitening. The procedure works best to remove stains caused by drinking dark-colored beverages (cola, tea, coffee, wine) and smoking. However, not all forms of tooth discoloration can be removed with traditional whitening procedures, such as stains caused by overexposure to fluoride, tetracycline antibiotics, tooth decay, or defective fillings. In addition, whitening treatments will not change the color of crowns, veneers, fillings, bridges, or any other restoration materials.

When you come into our office, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth to determine that your teeth and gums are healthy and if you’re an ideal candidate for professional whitening. To ensure that you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, our dentists will work with you to find the best whitening treatment for you.

What Should I Know About Teeth Whitening at Home?

For a more convenient way to achieve whiter teeth, you may be interested in our professional take-home teeth-whitening kits. To start the process, impressions of your upper and lower teeth are taken and sent to a dental laboratory to design your custom-made whitening trays. When your trays are completed, you’ll come to our office and your dentist will show you how to properly use the whitening trays for optimal results. The trays are used with our professional-strength whitening gel and are similar in appearance to a sports mouth guard. You’ll fill the trays with whitening gel and wear them for a designated amount of time. Most patients wear their whitening trays for about an hour each day, and it’s possible to whiten your teeth up to six shades when worn daily for two weeks.

What Is the Cost of Teeth Whitening

The cost of teeth-whitening treatments is influenced by a variety of factors, including the level of tooth discoloration, how many treatments are needed, whether you choose take-home whitening or an in-office treatment, and if you require any follow-up treatments. Take-home whitening kits are slightly less expensive compared with receiving a whitening treatment in our office. Since whitening treatments are considered cosmetic, they’re typically not covered by dental insurance.

For more information about the teeth-bleaching cost, contact us today to schedule a consultation. After examining your mouth and discussing your aesthetic goals, your dentist can give you an estimate of your expected costs.

What’s the Difference Between Professional and DIY Teeth-Whitening Products?

Do-it-yourself whitening products include rinses, toothpastes, and whitening trays and strips. Although these whitening products are less expensive than professional treatments, it can take days or even weeks before you see a noticeable change in the color of your teeth. Over-the-counter products also have much lower concentrations of whitening gel, preventing you from achieving dramatic whitening results. There’s also a certain degree of risk associated with DIY whitening products. If used incorrectly, you can irritate your gums, experience severe tooth sensitivity, or the consistency of the whitening can be uneven.

Professional whitening treatment from a teeth-bleaching dentist is performed under carefully monitored conditions, ensuring a safe experience that provides reliable results. Since our dentists use highly concentrated bleaching gel, you’re able to achieve dramatic results in just one treatment.

What Happens During a Teeth-Whitening Treatment?

The steps for your in-office teeth whitening treatment depend on the system chosen by your dentist. Here are the steps involved in a standard procedure performed by a teeth-bleaching dentist:

1. Your teeth are examined and then polished and cleaned to remove plaque and debris.
2. To monitor your progress, photos of your teeth may be taken.
3. A cheek retractor is placed in your mouth to keep your mouth open and your lips away from the bleaching gel.
4. A protective gel is applied around the gum line.
5. The whitening gel is applied to your teeth and kept on for a specific length of time. Several coatings may be applied.
6. A light may be used to activate the whitening gel.
7. Once the last application of bleaching gel has been removed, the cheek retractor is taken out. We’ll evaluate the color change of your teeth and determine if an at-home treatment or follow-up visit is needed.

With a teeth-whitening treatment, you can smile with confidence once again. Please call our office to schedule a teeth whitening in Annapolis consultation.