Just about everyone wants a nice white, shining smile. For people that have severely stained teeth however, over the counter tooth whitening products may fall short of providing the level of whitening that is needed. Fortunately, there are a number of professional tooth whitening procedures that you can receive at our office that can help to improve your smile. Find out the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about these procedures, and whether they may be the right choice for you.
How is professional tooth whitening better than using over the counter tooth whitening products?
Over the counter, at-home tooth whitening products contain ingredients that will bleach your teeth to make them brighter and whiter. While many of these kits do work, they will only work to a certain degree and can often take some time to see results. Professional tooth whitening procedures that are performed at our office will often use a variety of methods that are much more effective but not available at home, such as laser whitening, and will provide results quicker.
Is tooth whitening safe?
Yes. Though primitive methods of tooth whitening that were used could cause damage to the enamel of the teeth, modern tooth whitening procedures are extremely safe and cause no damage to your teeth when performed by a properly trained professional.
Can I get a tooth whitening procedure if I’ve had dental work done previously?
For the most part, tooth whitening will not affect any previous dental work that you have had done including crowns, veneers and other procedures. When going for your whitening procedure however, you should always make the dentist aware of any previous work you have had completed.
Will the professional tooth whitening procedure be painful?
No. The procedure itself is a non-invasive procedure that does not cause pain. You may however, experience some sensitivity to your gums, or tooth sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods, immediately following the procedure, however this is generally mild and fades away after some time.
What types of professional tooth whitening procedures are available?
There are a number of different professional methods that are available to whiten your teeth. Some procedures use a peroxide base similar to that which is offered in at home products, while there are also other more effective procedures such as laser whitening which will provide faster results.
Will professional tooth whitening provide me with permanent results?
No. You will be able to achieve dramatic results from professional tooth whitening, however they will not last forever. After your tooth whitening procedure, you will need to practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth clean, and possibly use an at home product for regular touch ups.