Teeth Whitening

Millions of Americans choose professional dental whitening each year, wowed by the results from this quick, simple and affordable solution. For more information about the procedure and your dental whitening options, keep reading or give us a call. We’re always happy to talk with you about ways to improve and restore your smile.

What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Professional dental whitening is an in-office treatment using highly concentrated bleaching gel to instantly and dramatically lighten the color of your teeth. It is often called in-office teeth whitening, chairside whitening or power bleaching. It differs from do-it-yourself whitening systems in that the bleaching agent is much stronger with in-office treatments and the process is carefully supervised by an experienced dentist.

Chairside whitening works best on tooth enamel that is stained by long-term use of tobacco or consumption of deeply pigmented foods and drinks. It is less effective on teeth that are stained by structural or internal tooth issues such as decay or medication use. Crowns, veneers, fillings and other tooth restorations tend to be impervious to the effects of the bleaching gel, so they will not lighten during treatment.

Before we schedule your chairside whitening treatment, our teeth bleaching dentist evaluates your teeth and oral health. This exam helps determine the root cause of your tooth discoloration so we can choose the most suitable whitening system to deliver the results you want. Contact our office to schedule your evaluation and get started bringing back your bright smile.

Does My Dentist Offer At-Home Teeth Whitening?

Some of our patients prefer the ease and convenience of teeth whitening at home, so we offer highly effective, professional kits for home use. Made by your dentist, your kit will include custom-made teeth whitening trays and professional-grade teeth whitening gel. The trays are made from impressions taken of your teeth. This customized fit ensures that the trays will fit your teeth well and with minimal slippage.

To use the kit, you’ll fill the trays with the bleaching gel and wear them for an hour a day for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, most patients enjoy a smile that is as much as six shades lighter.

How Much Does In-Office Teeth Whitening Cost?

The cost of teeth whitening varies widely, according to your individual needs. Some of the issues that influence the total cost of whitening include the number of treatments needed, whether you’ll need at-home treatments so you can maintain your white smile and whether you need repairs to smooth and blend the color of your crowns, fillings and veneers. Your individual teeth bleaching cost is dependent on your own unique needs, so you can find out more about your expected costs by scheduling a consultation with one of our experienced dentists. We’ll evaluate your dental health, talk about your teeth whitening goals and outline a treatment plan for you. Once your treatment plan is in place, we can provide you with a thorough cost estimate for your new, whiter smile.

Do DIY Teeth Whitening Products Compare to Professional Options?

Over-the-counter dental whitening systems range from gels and trays to rinses and toothpastes, and they offer a small improvement to tooth coloring over a period of time. If you want dramatic results immediately, though, professional dental whitening may be best. The teeth whitening gel used by dentists is stronger than the gels found in DIY products, so you have instantly whiter teeth as soon as your professional treatment is complete. Gum irritation is also a potential problem with over-the-counter products because you don’t have the professional supervision you enjoy with in-office treatment.

What Occurs During a Teeth Whitening Procedure?

While each whitening system differs a bit in its procedure, many share basic procedural steps. Here’s some of what you can expect during your cosmetic teeth whitening procedure:

1. Your dentist examines and cleans your teeth.
2. Photos are taken to note tooth shade and monitor progress.
3. Your dentist places a cheek retractor in your mouth to expose your teeth.
4. A special liquid is applied to gums to protect them from the bleaching agent.
5. Multiple layers of gel are applied to your teeth, one coat at a time. Often, each single layer sits on your teeth for a period of time, then it’s removed to make way for a new application.
6. When your in-office whitening procedure is complete, your dentist assesses the degree of whitening achieved and evaluates whether you need additional in-office treatments or at-home treatment.

If you want a white, gleaming smile, contact us today. We can help you discover the many benefits of in-office teeth whitening in The Village of Cross Keys.