We offer two types of tooth whitening, or dental bleaching, to our patients. For an immediate result, chairside bleaching is completed in the office. We also offer a do-it-yourself solution, using a take home bleach kit.
To help determine which option is best for you, our Esthetic Coordinator, Kayla will meet with you for a complimentary consultation. She evaluates your current shade, reviews any habits that may be affecting staining (tea, coffee, red wine), and answers any questions. This information will help to identify what will be best suited to help you achieve your smile goals.
Other Preventive Services
Chairside Bleaching
Chairside bleaching is typically completed in about an hour in the office. Kayla, the tooth whitening guru, will work her magic by using an efficient and painless prescription strength solution that enables her to brighten your smile by up to five shades. One of the most appealing things about the product that we work with is that it does not create the sensitivity associated with other brands.
Tooth Whitening Appointments
A fairly standard routine is followed when Kayla completes a chair side bleaching procedure. The gels used contain a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, anywhere from 15 to 25 per cent, which is why it must be monitored by a dental professional ‘in-office’.
Your soft tissue is protected by placing a rubber guard over any exposed gum which prevents irritation. This is left to sit for 15-30 minutes, and a light is used to activate the chemicals. The bleach is then washed off and the process is repeated.
Teeth may whiten by as few as two to three shades or by as many as eight shades, but it will take a couple of days for your teeth to ‘settle into’ their new, natural color. There are a number of reasons why teeth become stained, and this actually determines whether or not they will be more or less responsive to whitening. There are two basic types of discoloration, to learn more see this blog post.
Part of the whitening effect is due to dehydration during the bleaching process, which makes teeth look whiter than their true new color. Much like the hairdresser, in-office bleaching is not a permanent solution, and teeth will eventually begin accumulating stains that will warrant either a ‘touch up’ visit, or maintenance at home.
Take-Home Bleach Kit
In-home bleaching requires custom made trays and a prescription strength bleaching gel. Kayla will take impressions and pour up your models in order to make the trays. These will be available to pick up the following day, along with 4 syringes of whitening gel. These can then be used as needed depending on personal preference. We recommend trays to be worn for up to an hour a day, from between one to two weeks.
Unfortunately, dental bleaching will not work on crowns, veneers or bonding. Depending on the the particulars of your teeth and your lifestyle habits, whitening results can last between one and three years.
Before & After Dental Bleaching Slideshow
Check out these before and after’s from patients who have undergone in-office dental bleaching. A big thanks to those patients who have allowed us to use photos of their teeth.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment to discuss whether chairside whitening would help you reach your aesthetic smile goals, contact us by phone (207) 782-5308 or by form!
Make an Appointment for Your Smile!