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Everyone deserves a smile that they can be proud of. One of the most common ways to enhance a smile is through teeth whitening. Professional whitening achieves long-lasting results by removing stains and discoloration. These procedures can help you achieve a brighter, more beautiful smile.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening at the Dentist’s Office
Teeth whitening at the dentist’s office is the safest and most effective method of achieving whiter teeth. Our in-office laser whitening takes about 90 minutes and occurs under carefully monitored conditions. Laser whitening under professional supervision allows for safe, controlled, pain-free treatment.
Professional whitening products can use a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide than over-the-counter products. Thus, the whitening process takes less time to achieve better results. Treatment under Dr. Aristomdemo’s care ensures that sensitive gums are not irritated during the whitening process. The results should be long-lasting with careful oral hygiene practices.
Who Should Get Teeth Whitening at the Dentist
Teeth whitening at the dentist is best for people with moderate to severe discoloration and staining. These stains can occur due to aging, smoking, medications, and certain foods and drinks. People with yellow or brown discoloration on their teeth are ideal candidates for professional teeth whitening.
We do not recommend this procedure for people with gum disease, worn-down enamel, and existing decay. Cavities and damage will require treatment before a person can whiten their teeth. People with teeth that are gray or purple may not respond to bleaching. Pregnant and lactating women should also not receive teeth whitening. People interested in a brighter smile can speak with our team to determine the best-suited options for their needs.
What to Expect at the Consultation
Before the teeth whitening procedure, patients will need to attend a consultation. This appointment will allow you to discuss their dental history, overall health, and teeth goals. It is also crucial to bring up any ongoing dental issues, such as tooth and gum problems, that will require treatment before the whitening can occur.
We will also examine the patient’s teeth to see if they will benefit from these treatments. It is important to note that existing dental work, such as crowns and veneers, will not respond to conventional whitening agents. If whitening is a viable option, we will help determine which product or technique will be the most effective.
Treatment Length
Teeth whitening done in the office is the quickest method to enhance your smile. People can achieve much brighter teeth more quickly in-office because the concentration of bleaching solution is much stronger than that of other options.
Teeth can get three to eight shades whiter with one of our 90-minute later whitening sessions. Other tooth whitening treatments are available that can brighten smiles at home over the course of a few weeks. People interested in this procedure should contact us for information about the available treatment options.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Options
If you’d rather do your teeth whitening in the comfort of your home, we have options for that as well. The second most effective option next to an in-office treatment is custom take-home bleaching trays. Dr. Aristodemo will take an impression of your teeth to create a custom mold that you will use for 20 minutes per day for about two weeks, but you can keep and use it again for years. We also offer pre-made, disposable trays designed to be used once before throwing them away. At your first visit, you and Dr. Aristodemo can discuss the best option to achieve your desired whitening results.
Enhance Your Smile
If you want to dramatically brighten your smile quickly and reliably, it’s time to consider professional teeth whitening. At Happy Smiles Family Dentistry, our experienced staff can guide you toward the best whitening option for your needs, preferences, and timeline. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and take the next step toward achieving the smile you’ve always wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Various teeth whitening options are available at our office. Our team works with each patient to determine the right treatment for their needs. The two main professional teeth whitening options are tray-based whitening and in-office whitening.
Tray-based whitening involves filling a tray with a whitening gel solution made of a peroxide-bleaching agent. Depending on the degree of discoloration, people will wear the trays for a few hours each day or at night for a few weeks or longer. In-office teeth whitening involved applying the bleaching agent directly to teeth combined with heat, a special light, or a laser. People who are interested in teeth whitening should speak to us about the available treatment options.
According to the U.S. Library of Medicine, teeth whitening uses hydrogen peroxide to cause a chemical reaction that removes stains. Hydrogen peroxide has been an ingredient in teeth-whitening and oral care products for decades. It is the primary active ingredient in many at-home and professional whitening products.
This chemical compound reacts with and oxidizes the double bonds between the stain and the tooth’s surface to lighten discoloration. Over-the-counter whitening products use 3% to 20% peroxide-based bleaching agents. Professional teeth whitening is more effective because the bleaching solution is much stronger, containing 15% to 43% peroxide.
Cosmetic dental services primarily focus on improving dental aesthetics through color, position, shape, alignment, and size. Unlike general dentistry, this kind of dental work aims to enhance appearance rather than improve functionality or oral health. Most cosmetic dental work is considered elective. Unlike other dental services, cosmetic ones are usually not required for health or medical reasons.
Although any dentist with a general dentistry degree can provide cosmetic dental services, many seek additional training. It is important to select a skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist like Dr. Aristodemo to get the desired results. Looking at patient photos, reviews, and having consultations can be helpful in choosing the right procedure and dentist.
Restorative dental procedures are available to help repair the appearance and function of a patient’s teeth. The primary focus of restorative methods is to replace damaged or missing tooth structure. There are two types of restorative methods, direct and indirect. Direct dental restorations involve placing a filling directly into a prepped and cleaned tooth cavity.
The creation of indirect dental restorations occurs outside of the mouth cavity to fix more severe dental damage. The common types of indirect restorative methods include veneers, dental crowns, inlays, onlays, and dental bridges. Patients should consult Dr. Aristodemo to learn about the available options.
Many people yearn for a more attractive smile. Correcting damaged teeth, bite straightening, and teeth whitening are a few of the many solutions people can use to improve their smile. These treatments can give people the confidence they need to smile bigger and more often. A 2017 study found that various dental disorders like malocclusion, anterior traumatic tooth, tooth loss, and untreated decay profoundly affected adolescents’ appearance and psychosocial behavior, thus affecting their self-esteem. Dental cosmetics may have positive psychological effects, as some patients have reported improved self-esteem after receiving treatment.
Dental cosmetics can have other benefits by offering solutions to improve a patient’s aesthetic appearance. Some procedures can fix aesthetic issues like crooked, damaged, or diseased teeth. In some cases, dental cosmetics can also improve facial appearance and structure. Although the primary focus of dental cosmetics is improving appearance, specific procedures can also improve health and function. For example, dental implants are a common way to address the difficulties of missing teeth. Bonding and crowns can fix the appearance of a chipped tooth and alleviate the resulting discomfort.
Home care and maintenance differs from treatment to treatment. For most cosmetic treatments, dental care and oral hygiene regimens are the same: brush twice daily and floss at least once a day along with visiting the dentist for routine checkups. However, some cosmetic treatments require more individualized care.
For dental implants, brushing and flossing twice daily is crucial. Using a soft toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste, gently brush under, in, and around the implant to clean hard-to-reach areas. We also recommend using an unwaxed tape for flossing or implant-specific floss along with an oral irrigator.
For gum contouring and teeth whitening treatments, we advise patients to rest and avoid rigorous activity including biting and chewing. The gums and teeth require healing, which may take up to a week. During this time, patients should avoid spicy, sticky, and acidic foods and beverages. They should also continue to brush teeth two to three times daily and floss at least once a day.
Many people decide to see a cosmetic dentist to enhance their smile before a special event, such as a school dance or a wedding. Cosmetic dental treatments can benefit anyone who wants to improve their smile’s appearance, regardless of the occasion. People with various cosmetic issues, such as crooked, discolored, uneven, cracked teeth, can benefit from seeing a cosmetic dentist.
People with crooked teeth may feel self-conscious about their smile. Fortunately, there are cosmetic procedures that can make teeth straighter and help people smile with confidence. As people get older, their teeth are more likely to stain and become more yellowed. While this discoloration is difficult to remove at home, a cosmetic dentist can lift stains and help teeth appear whiter and brighter. Cosmetic dentists can also help fix uneven teeth that vary in size and make them appear more uniform.