A Whiter, Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening used to be an expensive, potentially damaging and painful process. Fortunately, whitening products have evolved significantly and offer painless, safe, easy products and procedures for whiter smiles. Teeth whitening treatment may be performed on adults of any age. Step one is to start with a healthy mouth. If a patient does not have healthy teeth and gums, any whitening procedure could cause complications to already compromised conditions. Schedule a regular cleaning, check-up, and take care of any oral health issues prior to considering teeth whitening. This will yield the best results. Once it is determined that the patient’s dental health is not compromised and that whitening is a safe consideration, a consultation regarding expectations, cost, options, color improvement, and plan will take place. Please note that severely discolored teeth may require veneers or crowns to achieve a whiter smile.
At-Home Whitening Options
Over-the-counter options are readily available, cost less than in-office whitening, but will yield less dramatic results and take a much longer treatment period. Options from your dentist are stronger and will provide faster, noticeable results in a shorter time.
In-Office Treatment
In the office, a patient’s gums are protected from the stronger whitening agents that are used in the procedure. The materials are so strong that some patients can achieve up to ten shades whiter in a single hour of treatment. Depending on the type of treatment used, one to three sessions may be required to reach the desired shade. The dentist applies the whitening gel and a light or laser activates the gel for accelerated bleaching.
