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 tooth bleach kit.
To help determine which option is best for you, Chelsea will meet with you for a complimentary smile consultation.
She evaluates your current tooth shade, reviews any habits that may be affecting staining (tea, coffee, red wine), and answers any questions you have. 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 to whiten your teeth is typically completed in about an hour in the office. Chelsea, 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.
Teeth Whitening Appointments
Chelsea follows a standard routine every time she completes a chair side bleaching procedure.
The Glo whitening system uses the professional elements of gentle heat and blue LED light to provide safe and effective tooth whitening results. Using 30% hydrogen peroxide, placing 4 rounds of whitening gel, and keeping it on the tooth surface for 8 minutes each round gives you instant results!
For obvious reasons, this treatment must be monitored by a dental professional in-office! Your soft tissue is protected by placing a rubber guard over any exposed gum and the gel is washed over in between each step as the process is repeated.
How much whiter will my teeth be?
Teeth may whiten by as few as 2-3 shades or by as many as 8 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, there are two basic types of discoloration, and this actually determines whether or not they will be more or less responsive to whitening.
Part of the tooth 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 Tooth Bleaching Kit
In-home bleaching requires custom made trays and a prescription strength bleaching gel. Chelsea 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
Check out these before and after’s from patients who have undergone in-office teeth whitening (dental bleaching) treatments. 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 teeth whitening (in office or at home) would help you reach your aesthetic smile goals, contact us by phone (207) 782-5308 or by form!
Make an Appointment for Your Smile!