Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a procedure that can lighten the shade of your teeth and remove stain or discoloration caused by aging, certain medications, tobacco, coffee, and tea. Tooth whitening does not last forever, so the procedure will have to be repeated on a regular basis.
Tooth whitening can be done at home or in the dental office. We will take a photo of your existing tooth color to monitor your progress and compare the new lighter shade of your teeth throughout treatment.
In-home whitening
An impression of your teeth will be taken and mouthpieces (trays) will be customized to fit your teeth. You will be provided with a bleaching gel (usually containing carbamide peroxide) which you will apply to the tray and you will be instructed to wear the tray for a certain amount of time. Care should be taken to use only the prescribed amount of whitening gel as excess material can come into contact with your gums and maycause irritation.
In-office whitening
In-office treatment can brighten your teeth by six to ten shades. Using a special, light-activated whitening gel, this procedure is a quick and convenient way to achieve the smile you've always wanted. In-office whitening can take between 30 to 90 minutes to complete and usually require a few visits to the clinic to achieve the amount of whitening required. The whitening agent (a gel containing hydrogen peroxide) is applied to your teeth and special lights or heat may be required for activation.
Both in-home and in-office bleaching can cause increased tooth sensitivity in some people. This is a normal side effect and usually subsides a few days after the whitening treatments have been completed.
Note that whitening procedures should be avoided if you are pregnant.
