How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening treatments chemically brighten your smile by bleaching the intrinsic stains that are lingering in the deeper layers of the teeth. Whitening gels contain the active ingredient hydrogen or carbamide peroxide.
The oxygen molecules in this product react with the staining compounds and break down the bonds that are holding onto stains. Dental-grade whitening treatments contain higher but safer concentrations of peroxide than over-the-counter whitening products.
They are much more effective at producing whitening results and they are also ADA-approved, unlike most drugstore whitening products. Teeth whitening is a cost-effective cosmetic treatment that can boost your confidence and make you look younger.
Types Of Teeth Whitening
In-Office – An in-office whitening treatment is the most intense and accelerated whitening treatment that we offer, so it’s perfect for special events or if you’re on a time constraint. You’ll come into the office and sit in the dental chair while we prep your mouth for the treatment with a cheek protractor that holds your mouth open and then we’ll apply a protective gel to your gums.
Then, KOR whitening gel is carefully applied to each tooth and activated with UV light. After leaving this on for about an hour, the whitening agent is rinsed out and your smile will be up to 10 shades lighter after a single appointment. When staining is severe, multiple treatments may be needed to reach the desired result.
Take-Home – Wish you could get dental-grade whitening results with the convenience of over-the-counter products? Our take-home whitening treatments enable you to whiten your teeth with ADA-approved whitening agents from the comfort of your home.
We will need you to pop into our office for a quick appointment to take impressions of your mouth. These impressions will serve as the model for your custom whitening trays that are fabricated by an outside dental lab.
Once these have been created, you can pick them up from our office along with the instructions on how to use them and your whitening gel. You will apply the whitening gel to your trays and pop them over your teeth for about 15 to 20 minutes per day and you can carry on with whatever tasks you need to get done.
Since take-home whitening is a lower concentration of peroxide, you will need to repeatedly wear your whitening trays each day for about 1 to 2 weeks to get the same results. This is a great option for people with little time or who have sensitive teeth.
request an appointmentTips For Keeping Your Teeth White
MAINTAINING YOUR SMILE
The reality is that we are constantly introducing stains to our teeth daily, which can make it difficult to maintain a pearly white smile. To preserve the results of your whitening treatment for longer, you should limit your consumption of staining foods and drinks.
These include tea, coffee, red wine, dark sauces, balsamic vinegar, and berries. Avoid smoking and practice good oral hygiene. You should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to remove tooth stains and plaque buildup which can cause yellow teeth.
Dental cleanings are recommended once every 6 months to remove left-behind food particles, plaque, tartar, and other extrinsic stains. A dental cleaning can significantly whiten your teeth.
request an appointmentHow Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
WHAT TO EXPECT
Teeth whitening is super fast when you opt for our in-office treatment. It only takes one hour to transform your smile. A single session can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades. This is perfect for weddings, dances, and formal photos.
Take-home whitening takes a little longer because the concentration of peroxide is lower for home use. However, with consistent and repeated use and following the instructions, you will achieve the same results as in-office whitening in about 5 to 10 days.
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