Professional teeth whitening treatments are exactly what you need if you are interested in improving the color of your teeth. Each whitening session takes anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes, and many patients are able to reach their desired shade of white after a single session.
Professional teeth whitening treatments involve using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide to lift stains caused by smoking, aging or the foods/beverages that a person consumes. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry states that a single whitening treatment can improve the color of a person's teeth by up to eight shades. The products used for these treatments are significantly stronger than anything that one can find over the counter.
Professional teeth whitening treatments often start with the dentist evaluating the patient's teeth and gums. The powerful bleaching agents used for these treatments are effective on some types of stains, but they do not do much when it comes to other types of stains, like those caused by tetracycline antibiotics, tooth decay or being overexposed to fluoride. Such stains typically cannot be removed with whitening treatments, but they can be covered up with restorations like crowns, veneers or composite resin.
The dentist will also evaluate the patient's teeth and gums to determine if they are healthy enough for teeth whitening treatments. The bleaching agents used temporarily weaken teeth enamel, which can lead to severe pain or permanent damage to teeth if the patient has existing issues. These chemicals can also irritate gum tissues that are weakened by gum disease, leading to pain and discomfort.
Once the patient has been cleared for teeth whitening treatments, the dentist might proceed to take an impression of their mouth so a customized mouth tray can be made. This tray is used to evenly apply the bleaching agent and prevent it from getting into the gums. The mouth tray is made in a dental lab that the dentist sends the impression to. It takes roughly two weeks for the finished mouth tray to get back to the dentist.
Dentists often recommend teeth cleaning before teeth whitening for the best results. Tartar can get in the way of the bleaching agent, leading to uneven whitening. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing. A dentist takes it off with a tool called a scaler during teeth cleaning.
The dentist starts the whitening treatment by dispensing the whitening gel on the mouth tray. A lip retractor might be used to help keep the patient's lips away from the tray during the treatment. Gauze might be strategically placed in the patient's mouth to keep the area dry. The patient bites down on the mouth tray that has been filled with the whitening product and keeps it in place for about 60 to 90 minutes.
Think the color of your teeth could use improvement? Give us a call or drop by our Sunnyvale clinic to get the process started.
Request an appointment here: https://stonecanyondental.com or call Stone Canyon Dental at (972) 996-3191 for an appointment in our Sunnyvale office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Professional Teeth Whitening in Sunnyvale, TX.
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