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For many years people have secretly wished for a brighter, whiter smile. Now you can have it! Our dentists can prescribe a carefully monitored tooth whitening system especially for you. It's fast, easy and painless.
What is Tooth Whitening?
It's actually a bleaching process that reverses discolorations of enamel (the outside layer of tooth structure).
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are many causes. Some people are born with teeth that are less white than others. Other common causes include aging, consumption of staining substances, trauma (injury), tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, nerve degeneration, old fillings or restorations.
 Who May Benefit From Tooth Whitening?
Many people may benefit from tooth whitening although the process may not be suitable for everyone. This can only be determined after an examination and diagnosis at our office. The tooth lightening system is ideal for patients who have healthy natural teeth that are slightly yellow in color and would like to have a brighter, whiter smile. In some cases where patients have existing bonding, crowns or tooth colored fillings, they may elect to have these replaced following completion of the whitening procedure.
How is Tooth Whitening Done?
Tooth whitening can be done by two different methods:
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The home whitening system, prepared in our office and completed by you at home.
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An in-office whitening system which is completed in one visit.
How is Home Whitening Done?
It takes only a few simple steps:
1. During your diagnostic visit, impressions are taken of your teeth. From these, your dentist makes a custom appliance that slips over your teeth that holds the whitening gel. You could have either upper or lower teeth whitened or both!
2. At your second visit you are fitted with the appliance. You will also be given the tubes of tooth whitening gel. For best results, it may be necessary to have your teeth cleaned prior to starting the tooth whitening process. You will be given specific instructions on how to administer the solution and how often to wear the appliance (generally three to six hours per day or while you sleep at night).
3. You will return to the office at least once to monitor your esthetic result. As always, you should use diligent home care of brushing and flossing during this time. If any gum or tooth sensitivity occurs, you should stop the whitening process and make an appointment with your dentist.
How Do I Get The Best Results?
For maximum results in the least amount of time, you should wear your tooth whitening appliance the prescribed number of hours each day, replenishing the gel as recommended by your dentist. Do not wear the appliance more than the recommended amount of time. Make sure to remove the appliance when eating.
If you have existing medical conditions, take medications, or have other concerns about using tooth whitening products, please tell us. Communication, understanding and cooperation are the keys to the success of your tooth whitening program.
How is In-Office Tooth Whitening Done?
The in-office tooth whitening system uses a whitening solution that is stronger than the home whitening solution. The teeth to be whitened are isolated and kept dry. The whitening solution is applied to the teeth and is activated by shining a high intensity light source on each tooth. This procedure is repeated three times, and in about one hour the teeth are noticeably whiter. Patients are cautioned against the use of any foods or substances (red wine, coffee, tea, tobacco products, blueberries, etc.) that may cause staining for 48 hours after in-office whitening.
A Final Note of Assurance
Tooth whitening is a relatively new process in cosmetic dentistry. It employs a solution of peroxide that has been used for quite some time in the treatment of gums and other oral soft tissues.
The whitening process is most effective for mildly discolored or yellow teeth. Darker stains, such as those caused by some antibiotics, take longer to respond to treatment. The degree of whiteness will vary from patient to patient and depends on how long the system is used and how faithfully the instructions are followed.
To stay whiter and brighter your teeth may require periodic "touchups". All you have to do is wear your appliance with the whitening solution for several days to a week. Additional tooth whitening solution is available from our office.
We're here to help you maximize your smile. If you have any further questions, please give us a call. The whiter, brighter smile you've always dreamed of can be yours in just a few weeks!
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