An amazing smile and a strong handshake are keys to a successful first impression. Teeth whitening is an easy way to improve your smile.
Stained and darker teeth may be a result of habits, excessive fluoride, or aging. Smoking, drinking colored beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine may stain your teeth. As we get older, teeth tend to get darker due to the fact that your teeth have more secondary dentin compared to a younger individual. Some dental stains are caused due to high fluoride content in the water, a condition called fluorosis. Stained and discolored teeth have an effect on your appearance.
Teeth Whitening is a dental procedure that helps eliminate stains and discolorations on teeth. Teeth whitening is an affordable and non-invasive way to improve your smile. Teeth whitening is a process to lighten and brighten your teeth by multiple shades using a whitening gel, ozone or a dental laser.
Are over the counter treatments the same as if I went to the dentist?
There are many options for teeth whitening:
- Over the counter whitening products that you can get in grocery stores and pharmacies.
- Teeth whitening gels that you can get from a dentist and whiten at home.
- Teeth whitening procedure that can be done in the dental office.
- A combination of take home with one or two sessions of whitening at your dentist’s office.
To choose the option that is best for you there are you must consider these topics:
- How white will my teeth get?
- How expensive is it?
- How long does it take?
- How long does my teeth whitening last?
- How much does Teeth Whitening cost?
The cost of the whitening depends on the technique, the amount of whitening that needs to be accomplished, and the permanency of the whitening achieved.
The least expensive option for teeth whitening is over the counter whitening gels and strips. These results may not be as effective as the ones given by the dentist as the gel is weaker. The over the counter option may require more frequent whitening to keep up the desired shade of your teeth. This may ultimately end up being more expensive to you if frequent touch ups are needed.
If you are interested in take-home whitening material, your dentist makes molds of your teeth and gives you custom whitening trays and whitening gel. An initial shade of your teeth is documented to monitor the progress.
You will need to use the gel to whiten your teeth for 2-4 weeks. At a follow up appointment, your general dentist will determine if an in-office whitening session is required based on the improvement in the shade of your teeth.
What is laser dental whitening?
Laser dental whitening is a procedure where you teeth are whitened by using a dental laser. Your family dentist may recommend laser dental whitening to you. If you are a candidate for it, a whitening gel is applied to your teeth and it is activated by a dental laser. This achieves whitening faster and gives great results.
What is Ozone Dental Whitening?
Ozone dental whitening may be considered the safest way to whiten your teeth. The whitening gel is applied to your teeth by your dentist and the gel is then agitated using Ozone. It is advantageous to use ozone during whitening as it may have desensitizing properties.
Will my insurance cover Teeth Whitening?
Most commercial dental insurances do not cover teeth whitening as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. At Carrollton Smiles we offer our Dental Advantage Program as an option for financing. As a part of this program, patients at Carrollton Smiles receive a 15% discount on all major dental services.
How does teeth whitening work?
The outer layer of your teeth is made of enamel. The enamel has many microscopic openings. The colored foods we eat cloud these openings causing stains. Teeth whitening gel is made of carbamide peroxide when applied to the teeth it breaks down and releases oxygen molecules which lift the stains from the tiny openings. If you are interested in teeth whitening, ask your dentist and they can help you determine if you are a candidate for it. If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, your family dentist will determine which procedure that will give you best results.
How long does it last once I have received a Whitening Treatment?
The longevity of your teeth whitening treatment depends on your lifestyle. If you are a smoker or drink coffee, tea or other colored beverages like berry juice or red wine, you may need frequent whitening boost compared to someone who doesn’t.
The success of your whitening treatment is largely dependent on your habits and the technique used to whiten your teeth. The whitening products used from the grocery stores are not as effective as the ones performed by your cosmetic dentist.
Also, Laser and ozone whitening tend to yield better results than the other products.
How long is the procedure to get my Teeth Whitened?
The length of the whitening is directly related to the technique and the amount of whitening desired.
In-office whitening provided by your dentist may require a 40-90 minute session.
Sometimes you may be required to whiten at home for 2-4 weeks and need another appointment for whitening procedure at your dentist’s office.
Ask your family dentist which option is right for you.
Are there different types of Teeth Whitening treatments?
There are numerous teeth whitening procedures available to you:
- Whitening toothpastes
- Whitening gels available in stores
- Whitening strips
- Preloaded whitening trays that you can get at the dentist
- Take home whitening gel dispensed by your dentist with custom fabricated trays or you
- In-office whitening procedure done at your dentist office
- A combination of take-home and in-office dental whitening
- Laser dental whitening done by your dentist
It may get overwhelming to choose the right option for you. Ask your dentist at your dental cleaning appointment to choose the option that is right for you.
Will there be a noticeable difference right away after my Teeth have been whitened?
You will definitely be able to notice immediate difference in the shade of your teeth if the whitening treatment is done at your dental office. However the results may be gradual if you do the dental whitening at home. So it is important to measure the shade of your teeth before starting the procedure so that the progress can be monitored.
Can I Whiten my Teeth if I have Cavities?
I would strongly discourage whitening your teeth when you have cavities. The whitening agent used is either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. If this gel gets into your dental cavities it may cause pain and swelling.
Is Teeth Whitening safe for children or pregnant women?
I do not recommend teeth whitening procedure for pregnant women. Even though there are a lot of dental whitening materials that are considered safe during pregnancy.
Do I need to avoid certain foods / drinks once I have my teeth whitened?
The rule of thumb is, anything that stains a white shirt may stain the teeth. It is strongly recommended to avoid staining foods when the whitening treatment is in progress.
To keep your teeth lighter at the desired shade for a longer period of time, I recommend rinsing your mouth after eating or drinking dark colored foods. In addition to that instead of sipping the colored beverage throughout the day exposing your teeth to the staining agent continuously, finish the drink and rinse your mouth.
Will I have sensitivity to my teeth after receiving Teeth Whitening treatments?
Some people have sensitive teeth. So if your teeth are naturally sensitive, your dentist or hygienist may recommend desensitizing treatment before starting the teeth whitening procedure. Your dentist may recommend pronamel toothpaste prior to whitening to decrease the sensitivity. If your teeth sensitivity is moderate, your dentist may recommend ozone desensitization. For severe cases of sensitivity MI paste either in the form of toothpaste or desensitizing gel may be prescribed to you.
What kinds of teeth whitening procedures are offered at Carrollton Smiles?
At Carrollton Smiles, Dr. Bhandaru offers laser teeth whitening, ozone teeth whitening, take home teeth whitening and state of the art KoR whitening too!! If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhandaru call us at (972) 245-3455 or send us as message.
Dr. Sirisha Bhandaru graduated cum laude from University of Pennsylvania with DMD. She is a graduate of Gulbarga university and was awarded Bachelors in Dental Surgery. She is a member of AGD. She is trained to offer Orthodontic Treatment and Invisalign. Dr. Bhandaru offers ozone dental treatment in her office. She is also trained in adult and pediatric dental sleep medicine.
