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Professional Teeth Whitening
Are your pearly whites not so pearly anymore? That can happen to any of us for any number of reasons. The good news is that you don’t have to live with a smile you’re less than happy with. Teeth whitening is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to improve your smile. Advancements in cosmetic dentistry over the last several years have made teeth whitening safer and more affordable for almost anyone wanting a brighter smile.
Professional, in-office teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that is painless and performed without any anesthesia in our Greenville, SC practice. Our dentists, Dr. Phillip D. Gould, DMD, and Dr. Terry A. Willis DMD, use highly effective teeth whitening products and techniques to brighten your teeth by several shades in less than two hours.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). These bleaches break stains into smaller pieces, which make the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter. Unlike at-home whitening products, an in-office dental whitening takes place under dentist-monitored conditions, which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel – yielding results that are visible immediately.
During your teeth whitening appointment, our dentist places a dental whitening gel containing between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide on your teeth. We then aim a special heating lamp at your teeth for three 10-20-minute intervals- depending on the shade of white you are trying to achieve, with reapplication of the gel between intervals. Overall, the teeth whitening process lasts about an hour. If you have some severe staining, we may ask you to return for a second appointment to complete the procedure and ensure you go home with a shiny white smile.
Why Would I Need Teeth Whitening?
You might have the healthiest teeth and the straightest smile, but you’re not immune to the damage that everyone faces from everyday food and drink. Foods, coffee, tea, red wine, and soda stain our teeth over time. Our teeth may also become discolored from smoking, trauma, aging, and taking medications such as certain antihistamines or high blood pressure medications. Benefits of whitening your teeth at Trail West include:
- Enhanced smile
- Improved appearance
- Eliminates discoloration
- Reverses the effects of aging
How to Care for Teeth after Professional Whitening
How you care for your teeth after a cosmetic teeth whitening procedure can dramatically extend the lifetime of your bright white smile. The first 48 hours are the most crucial because your teeth are more prone to blemishes at this time. You must avoid eating deep-colored foods and drinks that could stain your teeth. This includes wine, tea, coffee, cherries, chocolate, beets, all kinds of berries, and dark sauces. You should also avoid smoking and chewing tobacco products, as these can also leave marks and stains on your teeth.
Avoid acidic foods and drinks that weaken your enamel and make your teeth prone to stains and decay, such as lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits. Drink water regularly to keep your mouth flushed, and practice proper oral hygiene to prevent your teeth from yellowing.
How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
Tooth whitening treatments are designed to reduce stains, not repel them. But with proper dental care, professional teeth whitening treatment can last for 2-3 years
Cost of Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
A cosmetic tooth whitening treatment at a dentist’s office typically costs $300 to $400, but you may not have to pay out of pocket since some dental insurance providers cover the treatment cost. To get more information on your coverage details, we recommend contacting your insurance provider.
ICON Treatment for White Spots on Teeth
In addition to traditional teeth whitening, Trail West Family Dentistry also offers ICON treatment. ICON treatment is for correcting white spots on teeth. This common discoloration can be caused by:
- Fluorosis: A condition caused by overexposure to fluoride as a young child
- Demineralization: This is a natural process that occurs when your enamel begins to lose some of its mineral content.
- Orthodontic Treatment: Since braces make it difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and keep plaque at bay, many people are left with white spots after their orthodontic treatment.
ICON Treatment targets these white spots using a resin material to even out the color of your teeth. Here’s what you can expect from the process:
- First, the dentist roughens the surface of your tooth so that the resin can properly soak into the tooth.
- Next, the resin is applied and forms a bond with the tooth structure.
- After the extra is removed, the resin is hardened with a special light.
- Your teeth are then polished to complete the treatment.
ICON treatment only takes about an hour and does not cause any pain which means it does not require anesthesia. This treatment is beneficial to those with teeth stains that would not respond to traditional tooth whitening methods and is much cheaper than alternatives like porcelain veneers.
Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Appointment Today!
If you’re looking to spruce up your smile, dental whitening at Trail West Dentistry is a safe, affordable, and highly effective way to achieve the bright, white smile you want. Contact us today to schedule your next dental appointment!