All About Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth may start to look yellow as we get older or become stained by the dark-colored foods and drinks we enjoy. If discolored or stained teeth are spoiling your smile, there are basically two options to whiten your teeth.
Some people try storebought teeth whitening merchandise. Others go to a dentist. Why? Teeth whitening by a dental professional is safer, faster, and more effective than over-the-counter teeth bleaching kits. Here, you can find out all about professional teeth whitening, and how Irving dentist Dental Concepts uses an advanced whitening system to produce dramatic results.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Many adults get the embarrassing problem of stained or discolored teeth. It can happen even if you brush your teeth twice a day as recommended. Because of this, teeth whitening has become one of the most common procedures in cosmetic dentistry. Dentists whiten teeth with a gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The bleach penetrates the teeth and triggers a chemical reaction called oxidation. This breaks down stains and lifts them out.
Teeth whitening by dental professionals works on both the outer, enamel layer of teeth and the underlying dentin. So, it removes both extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic dental staining is caused by external factors that discolor tooth enamel – smoking, and drinking red wine, coffee, or tea, for instance. Intrinsic staining occurs as we get older and makes teeth look yellow. As dental enamel gets thinner, it reveals more of the dentin layer, which darkens as part of the aging process.
Chairside Whitening and Professional Take-Home Whitening Trays
There are two ways your Irving dentist can whiten your teeth: in the dental chair or by prescribing whitening trays for use at home.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening in the dental office – chairside whitening – generally takes about 90 minutes, including professional teeth cleaning first. After the cleaning, a peroxide gel is applied to the teeth and hardened with a special light. This process is repeated several times. Another light may be used to finish the procedure by accelerating chemical reactions and the whitening process.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Home
If you opt for at-home professional teeth whitening, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth so that whitening trays can be made. Back home, you fill the trays with a whitening gel provided by your dentist and wear them several hours a day. The precise, customized fit of professional whitening trays ensures the bleaching gel remains in close contact with your teeth.
Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment
Professional teeth whitening is tailored to your specific needs. It gives you the exact level of brightness you’re looking for, in the areas you want it most. While peroxide-based bleaches whiten teeth, they can also potentially damage them and other areas of the mouth.
Professional teeth whitening is closely monitored to ensure safety. So dentists can use stronger concentrations of bleaching agent. This achieves better results than over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. Getting your teeth whitened at the dental office – particularly with the Zoom method – is the most effective whitening process, with longer-lasting results than at-home whitening.
Professional teeth whitening trays for use at home are also safer and more effective than teeth bleaching kits from stores. And many people find them more convenient than a chairside whitening appointment. A further advantage of professional whitening trays is that your dentist will give you expert guidance on how to use them to get the best results safely.
Oral Health Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening Services
Whether you choose in-office teeth whitening or professional teeth whitening trays, your dentist will first make sure your teeth are healthy. Your stained teeth could be down to decay or a defective filling, for instance, or you may have other oral health issues. If your dentist finds signs of cavities or gum disease, they’ll advise you on procedures to treat these problems first.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
You can also get professional teeth cleaning ahead of teeth whitening treatment. Besides improving your dental health, this can be crucial to achieve the best whitening results, especially if tartar has built up on your teeth. Tartar – hardened plaque with a yellow appearance – can only be removed by a dental professional, and tartar removal makes whitening more effective.
How Long Does Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
No form of teeth whitening is permanent, and professional teeth whitening is no exception. Results of professional teeth whitening varies from one individual to another, and can last from a few months to up to three years. The whitening effect won’t last as long if you smoke, or you drink a lot of tea, coffee, or red wine, which can all stain your teeth.
Zoom Teeth Whitening Treatment at Irving Dentist Dental Concepts
Dental Concepts offers Zoom Advanced Power teeth whitening, which has been acclaimed as one of the best teeth whitening systems in the world. The proprietary technology behind Zoom – developed by the Philips multinational tech conglomerate – gets teeth five to 10 shades whiter in 45 minutes as you relax in our Irving dental office.
After a dental exam and professional teeth cleaning, the Zoom chairside procedure entails:
- Covering your gums and lips to protect them from the bleaching agent. This ensures optimal comfort with minimal sensitivity during the whitening procedure.
- Application of hydroxide peroxide gel to the front and back of your teeth. A blue LED Zoom light then speeds up whitening.
- This process, which takes 15 minutes, is repeated two more times, with a new gel.
Benefits of Zoom Teeth Whitening Services
Zoom chairside teeth whitening is simple and highly effective. It’s ideal for anyone with sensitive teeth or who wants fast results. And it costs less than laser whitening. A further benefit of Zoom is that you can also whiten your teeth at home. Zoom home whitening kits from Dental Concepts provide a safe, convenient way to get your smile noticeable whiter in one or two weeks, with affordable, professional results. Contact us to find out more about the benefits of Zoom Advanced Power teeth whitening.
Contact your Irving dentist online or call (972) 869-2273.
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Contributed by DentalROI
DentalROI provides relevant dental content to help providers educate patients. The statements, services, and products referenced in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and they are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dental provider with any questions or issues you may have. Specific recommendations may vary in different circumstances, so individual consultation is important.
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