Teeth Whitening
Who is teeth whitening for?
When it comes to the appearance of their teeth, probably the most common concern patients have is how white they are. Teeth can become discolored for many reasons, be it staining from diet or smoking, discoloration from medication, or just from wear and tear on the enamel, allowing more of the yellow color of the inner layers of the tooth to show through.
Tooth whitening is a non-invasive dental procedure in which a bleaching agent is used to alter the color of your tooth enamel, enhancing the look of your smile by making it a lighter shade.
It is important to note that tooth whitening will only work with natural tooth enamel, so any crowns, onlays, or composite fillings will need to be considered (and possibly replaced) when deciding on whitening your teeth.
Additionally, teeth whitening is not permanent, as beverages like coffee, tea, or wine will continue to stain your teeth, making periodic touch-ups necessary to maintain the same level of whiteness.
How does tooth whitening work?
At our office, we offer custom take-home whitening trays. The process will require two visits with us to complete.
During your first visit, Dr. Lanie will examine your teeth for any issues and verify that teeth whitening will work for you. An impression will be taken of your teeth, from which your whitening trays will be created. These trays will be made to perfectly fit your teeth, and your teeth alone.
Once the trays are ready, we will ask you to come back in for your second appointment, where the trays will be checked to ensure they have the proper fit. You will be supplied with a special whitening agent which you will use with the trays, wearing them for either 30 minutes, twice a day, or overnight for a couple of weeks, based on how much whitening you need.
Be aware that the whitening solution may cause your teeth to be more sensitive during the time you are using it, but this should go away once you’ve completed the process.
We will also provide you with the necessary care instructions for your trays, and we encourage you to continue regular visits with our office to help maintain your beautiful, whiter smile.
