Your smile is important. It’s one of the first things you notice when you meet someone.
A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful – it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression. Your lifestyle and the aging process can stain and darken your teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking coffee, tea, cola and red wine or smoking. Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of the natural teeth enamel.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten the teeth. The most popular method is using a home teeth whitening system. Our office will take impressions (molds) and make bleaching trays that are formed for your mouth. You have the freedom to bleach on your schedule and touch up the teeth when you would like. The other option we offer is the Zoom bleaching system. You can jump start the bleaching process by coming to the office and spending 90 minutes, leaving several shades brighter.
What does teeth whitening involve?
Take home trays or Zoom teeth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom, clear plastic, trays. Zoom clients will spend an additional 90 minutes whitening using a light and product to bleach their teeth.
At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary. The trays are worn with special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or 2 hours for a couple of weeks depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening. It is normal to experience teeth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.
You will receive care instructions for your teeth and trays, and be encouraged to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile.
Since teeth whitening only works on natural teeth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.
Teeth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up maybe needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine. The trays provided to you are the ideal way to maintain the color. We recommend that you touch-up your teeth after every cleaning.
