We can treat stained, aging and discolored smiles with state-of-the-art whitening systems. Our one-hour in office tooth whitening produces dramatic results. Home whitening may also be a less expensive alternative for some. After gum therapy, if required, tooth whitening before restoring your smile gives the best results.
Is tooth whitening safe?
Under dentist supervision, tooth whitening is safe and effective. Many home whitening gels contain 10 – 15 percent Carbamide Peroxide and have not been shown to cause any damage to tooth enamel. We recommend use of higher concentrations be done under direct supervision (in-office).
Should tooth sensitivity or gum irritation from whitening occur, it is best to use the product less frequently. Prescription topical fluoride may be used to treat tooth sensitivity. Gum irritation may range from bleaching or white appearance of the gum to chemical burns which may appear raw painful and red. Gum irritations are reversible and may be treated with over-the-counter products and rinses.
We encourage our patients to have their in-office or home whitening under doctor’s supervision.
In-office whitening
This is the fastest approach to tooth whitening. We have several patients who opt for a 90 minute appointment just before important business presentations, weddings, prom night and even dates.
Results are obvious and satisfying at the end of the appointment.
How does in-office whitening work?
Assuming the patient had a professional dental cleaning, the pre-whitening procedures in our office take about 15 – 20 minutes. The doctor or assistant documents the pre-whitening shade of your teeth by comparing them to a series of tooth-shaped tabs (shade guide). This is recorded in your record.
The gums are protected using a blue paint-on dental dam which is cured to a firm consistency with a special curing light. The cheep, lips and tongue are protected with special chemically treated gauze and cheek retractor which keeps the lips and cheeks out of the treatment field.
Once the isolation is confirmed, the whitening gel is applied and the Zoom2 light is activated. One hour later the post-whitening procedures take about 15 minutes. A protective liquid is applied to the teeth and the post-whitening shade is taken for comparison.
After your appointment, you should not eat of drink any foods that would stain a white t-shirt for 48 hours. The whitening process continues for about 48 hours after in-office treatment.