Teeth become increasingly stained and yellow naturally over time. This discoloration can occur due to aging, illness, or certain medications. However, yellowing occurs more commonly as a result of the tooth enamel being repeatedly exposed to highly pigmented foods and drinks and/or tobacco products. Thankfully, most cases of tooth discoloration can be successfully solved with teeth whitening treatments designed to dissolve stains and lift discoloration from the surfaces of the teeth to return them to a brilliant, evenly toned, pearly-white hue.
Teeth whitening products whiten the teeth using mechanical and/or chemical approaches. The mechanical teeth whitening method uses abrasive materials that physically scrub stains and discoloration from the surfaces of the teeth. The chemical teeth whitening method uses chemical compounds like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals use oxygen molecules that weaken the molecular structures of stains and discolorations to dissolve them from the teeth.
Several do-it-yourself teeth whitening products are available to purchase over the counter. These DIY products include a variety of options such as whitening strips, tooth whitening gel, pens, trays, rinses, and classic whitening toothpaste. While these products can be effective, they have some drawbacks compared to professional teeth whitening treatments. Some of the disadvantages of over-the-counter teeth whitening products include:
For safe, reliable, and effective teeth whitening, professional whitening treatments deliver the best, highly reliable results. If you do decide to use over-the-counter whitening products, we strongly encourage you to ask one of our dental care professionals for product recommendations. To further ensure your safety, only use products that have been approved by the American Dental Association and closely follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
Professional teeth whitening refers to teeth whitening services and treatments provided by dental care professionals. These treatments provide patients with a better experience and superior whitening results.
With professional whitening treatments, a dentist works individually with a patient, using a shade swatch to document the patient's starting shade and help them determine a naturally beautiful whitening goal. We then customize the patient's whitening treatments to help them achieve their desired results by creating a naturally attractive, bright-white, dazzling smile that complements their surrounding features and complexion.
Patients with porcelain or composite resin dental restorations should only seek whitening treatments at the dentist's office. Neither abrasive nor chemically-based whitening products work on porcelain or composite resin dental materials. As a result, trying to whiten your teeth with over-the-counter products could result in mismatched dental restorations. So, if you have dental bonding, tooth-colored dental fillings, dental crowns, a dental bridge, or dentures, remember that over-the-counter products will not work on these restorative dental treatments, giving your smile an uneven appearance.
While over-the-counter whitening products provide one-size-fits-all solutions and whitening accessories, professional whitening treatments use custom-designed and manufactured whitening trays. These trays are designed using three-dimensional, digital impressions of a patient's teeth to ensure a comfortable and precise fit that enables an even application of whitening agents and a pleasant experience during treatments.
Professional teeth whitening treatments are administered by highly trained, experienced, and educated dental professionals, using medical-grade materials and whitening agents. So, patients can rest assured that the integrity of their tooth enamel and the health of their soft tissues are adequately protected during treatment.
Professional whitening treatments deliver fast and effective results. When over-the-counter products can take months to achieve noticeable results, professional treatments often deliver the results patients want in a single, in-office whitening session.
Whitening the teeth (either with abrasives or chemicals) can result in some temporary tooth sensitivity. With professional treatments, dental care providers offer solutions to prevent and reduce this fairly common side effect of whitening. We apply special protective agents to the gums and lips in addition to professional fluoride applications to the tooth enamel. This helps to remineralize and strengthen the enamel, protecting it from tooth decay and sensitivity.
Teeth whitening is one of the simplest cosmetic dental treatments, but it delivers some of the most impactful results. A whiter, brighter smile can take years off of a person's appearance, boost confidence, and greatly improve a person's appearance in just about an hour of treatment time.
Dental offices typically offer two basic types of professional teeth whitening, in-office or at-home treatments. Which of these types of professional teeth whitening treatments is best depends on the patient's preferences and treatment desires.
At-home treatments are self-administered under professional guidance. These treatments use custom-designed mouth trays and professional-grade whitening gel of slightly lower strength and concentration than the gel used with in-office treatments. As a result, patients experience impactful results but must undergo more treatment sessions.
In-office treatments work more quickly and are administered in the dental office by a dental care professional because they use the highest available concentration of whitening agents to dissolve and lift stains.
Every professional teeth whitening procedure begins with a consultation during which we talk with our patient about expectations and desired treatment results. At this time, we'll also evaluate your teeth and review any additional factors that could impact your treatment results.
We then apply a special protective solution to the patient's lips and gums before applying a professional-grade whitening solution to the visible surfaces of the patient's teeth on both the upper and lower jaws, allowing enough time for the concentrated solution’s oxidization process to dissolve and lifts stains.
In total, whitening treatment appointments only require about an hour and a half with roughly 45 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of treatment (broken up into three, 15-minute sessions). Many patients achieve their desired results after a single in-office whitening session.
Professional teeth whitening treatments require no recovery time, so patients can resume their normal daily activities and schedules immediately after their appointments.
Our professional treatments also include a custom, professional teeth-whitening tray that patients can use at home to maintain their bright-white smiles between office visits.
On average, professional teeth whitening costs about $650. Factors such as overall oral health, desired shade, and products used will impact the total cost of treatment. Dr. Somaiya will discuss your options and tailor a plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Professional teeth whitening treatments last for about six months to three years, depending on the patient's lifestyle.
To get the most out of your professional teeth whitening treatments, we recommend:
At Seva Dental, we're proud to provide our patients with premium in-office teeth whitening treatments and services that deliver exceptional results and a highly comfortable treatment experience. If your teeth have become yellowed or stained over time, and you would like to revitalize your appearance, we strongly encourage you to consider professional teeth whitening services with our dentist in Bellbrook. To learn more about teeth whitening or to request an appointment, we welcome you to contact our office today.
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