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Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

Having a whiter smile is very desirable, and discolored teeth have become the number one aesthetic concern for many of our patients. To give our patients a beautiful smile, we offer professional teeth whitening. This popular, non-invasive option gives our patients the brilliant smile they’ve always wanted. Teeth whitening changes the color of your teeth by removing old stains. Your ideal treatment plan will be laid out by your dentist during your consultation so you know how teeth whitening works and what to expect.

How is Teeth Whitening Performed?

We offer two teeth whitening methods. The first visit resembles a consultation appointment where you will speak with your dentist about your desired look. Impressions will be made of your teeth so that we can create a custom tray for the whitening process. During the second office visit, you will be fitted for your new trays. These trays resemble a retainer and are made with clear plastic that is custom-fitted to your teeth. At home, these trays are worn with an Opalescence® whitening solution. Our patients typically wear their trays for one hour a day over the course of two weeks. The length of the process depends on the degree of staining and the level of whitening desired. Your dentist will go over your unique treatment in detail with you during your appointment. It’s important to note that while this approach is effective, it is not permanent. Many patients require a touch-up once a year.

Opalescence Boost whitening is an in-office option. The bleaching takes place in the office over the course of an hour. It begins with your dentist matching the current shade of your teeth with a specialized guide. Then, the Boost whitening solution is gently brushed on to the teeth. You’ll relax for one hour while the bleaching takes effect, after which you can return home. Trays and an at-home solution are provided for touch-up bleaching at home so you can maintain your results.

Reasons for Teeth Whitening

There are various reasons that patients desire getting a teeth-whitening treatment. These include:

  • Stained Teeth
  • Wear of Outer Tooth Layer
  • Yellow Teeth
  • Fluorosis

Stained teeth are the main reason for wanting whiter teeth. Stains happen because of many factors such as medications, tobacco use, dark beverages, and injury to the teeth. These stains can be categorized as either intrinsic or extrinsic. The stains that appear on the surface of the teeth are extrinsic, while the stains that are in your enamel and deeper layers are intrinsic. Our teeth whitening solution is great for removing some of these intrinsic stains that toothpaste and mouth rinses can’t reach.

The other reasons are often due to natural wear on the teeth that causes discoloration. Another major reason is the effect of Fluorosis. This is a condition that causes teeth to appear discolored, and it is caused by overexposure of fluoride during the formative years of life when permanent teeth are still coming in. To combat the effect of this, teeth whitening can sometimes improve the tint of the teeth affected by this condition.

Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening can be very beneficial for many patients. To discuss if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, meet with your dentist at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics. There are various factors that can mean teeth whitening is not your best option. Patients with concerns like receding gums, tooth decay, gum disease, or existing restorations should avoid teeth whitening. The whitening solution may irritate these existing issues or may mean that your restoration no longer matches your other teeth. Our team at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics can make sure you understand your options for teeth whitening both at our office and at home.

Schedule Your Consultation

Teeth whitening is a very popular treatment that provides patients with a brilliant, white smile. To maintain this healthy and beautiful smile, keep a relationship with your dentist. The South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics team want to make sure that our patients are satisfied with the appearance of their smile. If you wish to learn more about teeth whitening and your options, contact our office today by calling or filling out an online form.