Teeth Whitening

Should I Whiten My Smile?

If your teeth are stained, or are looking yellowish or dull, professional teeth whitening may be a good option for you.

Today's cosmetic dental whitening products are a safe and economical way to change a smile. Many of our patients have whitened their teeth and frequently comment on how easy it is, and, that they love the results!

Teeth naturally darken as we age. Colas, dark tea, coffee, red wine and smoking can create stubborn stains that can discolor teeth over time. These types of stains respond well to professional teeth whitening products.
Early childhood use of certain antibiotics can cause intrinsic staining of permanent teeth during the development stage. This type of staining is sometimes difficult to whiten completely; we may recommend cosmetic porcelain veneers for cases of extensive tooth discoloration.

In-Office Power Whitening

Our power whitening system allows us to whiten teeth in a single visit. The process is simple, and takes about an hour:

After recording your "before" shade, we cover your gums using a special paint-on plastic material to isolate the teeth and keep them dry.
Whitening gel is applied to the front surfaces of the teeth and then activated using a special light to break through old stains and whiten tooth surfaces.
We repeat this process two to three times while you relax in the dental chair and listen to your favorite music.
Once complete, we remove the covering and check your new shade, often several shades lighter than your beginning shade.

We also offer take-home whitening in our practice. Using custom clear trays fabricated to hold whitening gel, wearing these trays for about an hour a day can usually whiten teeth in 2-3 weeks.

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products

As your dental health care provider, we do not recommend over-the-counter whitening systems; they receive very mixed reviews in dental literature regarding strength, effectiveness and ease of use. We feel teeth whitening is best performed by a dental professional who can guide you on the use of professional-strength products and monitor your results with your overall dental health in mind.

We would love to help you have a brighter smile! Contact us today and learn more about teeth whitening.