Your Smithers Invisalign® Provider
Do you envy other people's bright, white smiles? Are you wondering if teeth whitening procedures are right for you? Our Smithers dentists give some advice about what to expect from the procedure.
What is teeth whitening?
As we age, our teeth will inevitably become discoloured. This gradual change in colour can be attributed to the food and drinks we consume, like tea, coffee, or alcohol, certain medications, smoking, and general overuse over the years.
Professional teeth whitening treatments use peroxide-based bleaching agents to lighten the colourr of your teeth and reduce the appearance of surface stains. As the peroxide breaks down, oxygen acts on tooth enamel and creates the whitening effect.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Our Office
Professional teeth whitening in the dental office is a popular treatment for many patients, as we can usually complete the full process in one or two sessions.
During your in-office whitening treatment, the dentist will start by placing a rubber shield over your gums to protect them from the whitening solution.
Next, they will apply the bleaching solution to your teeth with a small brush-like applicator. The solution will be left to work on your teeth for 15 minutes under a low-heat lamp. Your hygienist will then clear the solution and repeat the application process.
This process usually takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. For some patients, one session may be enough, but depending on the extent of the stains on your teeth, you may require more treatments to achieve the whitening effect you had in mind.
Professional Teeth Whitening At Home
If you look up “how to whiten teeth” online, you will find a vast array of at-home teeth whitening options. These are perfectly valid alternatives, however, they are not as powerful or effective as the teeth whitening kits we provide at our Smithers dental office.
The teeth whitening solutions we offer come with custom whitening trays and specific instructions about how to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home. Plus, you’ll have your dentist to supervise the process, and your teeth whitening cost may be somewhat less than with the in-office solution.
To begin, you’ll first need to visit the dentist so an impression of your teeth can be taken in order to create the custom whitening trays to fit your smile. You’ll use these trays at home to apply the whitening solution yourself.
Once your trays are ready, you will return to the dentist’s office to confirm they are a good fit. Next, you’ll be sent home with the trays, the whitening solution, and clear instructions from your dentist.
At home, you’ll wear the trays for about 30 minutes every day for approximately 2 weeks, until you achieve the desired level of whiteness. Then, you can use the whitening solution to touch up your smile every 6 months or so.