Teeth whitening can remedy a lack of confidence due to tooth discoloration, and make it easier to smile comfortably
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A beautiful, white smile can light up your face and improve your appearance. And, with white, healthy teeth, you often feel better about yourself, too. Most people want a bright smile – just look at the different over-the-counter whitening products. However, to get the best, healthiest white smile, it's best to trust your dentist.
A gleaming grin is more than just white teeth – it means that your mouth is healthy, too! Professional teeth whitening and cleaning by a great dentist can make you look and feel better, plus boost your self-esteem!
Professional teeth whitening is one of Dental Excellence's most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. It's a non-invasive procedure that can easily be completed in our office with few side effects, and it dramatically boosts your appearance in just one treatment.
There are two types of teeth whitening, depending on if it's being applied to a living tooth or a cap or crown.
This is for teeth with living nerves. First, your dentist will apply a protective substance to the gums. Then, they'll apply the whitening substance, usually a hygienic gel, directly to the tooth's surface. It sits for 30-90 minutes, depending on how stained the teeth are.
If you have severe discolorations or stains, we may take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and create a custom mouthpiece, which allows you to complete follow-up whitening at home. This is under our supervision, and we'll help you repeat the process until we've achieved your desired results.
This is the procedure for "dead teeth," or ones without a living root inside. This can include teeth that have had a root canal, where the root is replaced. In these cases, the discoloration often comes from the inside and not necessarily stains on the outside. Normal whitening gel won't have an effect on these teeth, so your dentist applies a whitening gel inside the tooth and then creates a temporary filling over it. The gel stays inside the tooth for a few days, and then we'll check the whiteness to see how successful it was.
Over time, your teeth naturally lose their whiteness. While this happens to everyone, there are a few habits that people have that accelerate the discoloration process:
Depending on how stained your teeth are and how strong the enamel is, you may need just one appointment or several. If the enamel is thinner, the dentist may opt to leave the gel on for a shorter time. Or, if you have significant staining on your teeth, you may need multiple visits to get the shade you desire.
Each patient of ours is different, so we offer custom consults for each whitening procedure.
There are no side effects to teeth whitening for most people, and even for those that experience them, they're mild. The main effect of the procedure is temporary tooth sensitivity for people who have thinner enamel or naturally more sensitive teeth that may make it uncomfortable to eat or drink things that are very hot or very cold.
If this happens to you, there are a few things you can do to alleviate it:
Many dentists may offer an at-home whitening procedure, using the custom-made mold of your teeth and a special gel. However, when you're considering products in stores, it's better to talk to your dentist first. Some of them may be too strong and damage the enamel of your teeth, leading to problems down the line.
Beyond the potential damage to your teeth, many of these products may not work or may need many applications even to notice a difference.
There are other risks, too. If your teeth aren't healthy, over-the-counter teeth whitening kits can pose great risks to your oral health. Cavities have to be treated before starting the process, and only a dentist can discover and treat a cavity. You may also damage your gums, leaving them more susceptible to gingivitis and gum disease or receding gums.
When it comes to safe, effective tooth whitening, choose Dental Excellence. Our team is professionally trained to complete teeth whitening in an office environment. We have impeccable standards, and we carefully treat each patient according to their own unique needs. When you have your teeth whitened by a professional, you can trust that there will be beautiful results and minimal discomfort.
At Dental Excellence, we're committed to giving our patients the best dental care possible, from cosmetic procedures and routine check-ups to more complicated procedures. We're professionally trained to whiten teeth and treat any underlying conditions that may affect your smile. Give us a call today to schedule your personalized appointment, or visit us online to learn more about our services. We can't wait to see you smile!
