Teeth Whitening

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “bleaching” procedure.

What are the details of teeth whitening?

It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a day or two your custom bleach splints will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We’ll want to take “after” photos at your next appointment.

Dental bleaching can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful “brilliant” smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.

How is teeth whitening done?

An impression is taken to make a specialized “mouthguard” or “stent” to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used each night for about 3-4 hours for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or porcelain veneers may be more appropriate.

Considerations for Teeth Whitening

Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, it’s better to use products that our practice recommends.

Am I a Good Candidate For Teeth Whitening?

If you have a lot of discoloration or a buildup of stains on your teeth, then teeth whitening is a minimally invasive and affordable option to improve the appearance of your smile. As long as you are in good oral health and have healthy enamel, this is an excellent and effective treatment for you.

If you have oral health problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, or eroded enamel, then you will not be a suitable candidate for teeth whitening until you treat these problems. Patients with very sensitive teeth may also want to avoid teeth whitening or opt for our lower-concentration treatments to avoid severe tooth sensitivity following treatment.

Whitening may also not be suitable for severely stained or damaged teeth. During your whitening consultation, Dr. Chowning will examine your teeth and take x-rays to rule out any of these problems to ensure that teeth whitening is suitable for you. 

If you’re wondering if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening, contact us at Timberlake Dental to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rodney Chowning.

Teeth Whitening Options We Offer

Take-Home

A take-home treatment is an option that we offer to patients who prefer to whiten their teeth at home instead of in the dental chair. This treatment involves using a lower concentration of peroxide in the whitening gel which reduces tooth sensitivity. 

However, it also means that you must continually apply it for 1 to 2 weeks to achieve your results. After taking impressions of your teeth and sending them to a dental lab that creates your whitening trays, you will pick up the trays and your instructions and can begin your treatment. 

You won’t need to return to the office after this and the whitening gel is not light-activated. You simply apply the gel to the inside of the trays and wear them over your teeth for a specified amount of time each day.

In-Office

Dr. Chowning will apply a whitening gel directly to your teeth after taking precautions to protect your soft tissues. This gel contains a high concentration of peroxide which speeds up the reaction to produce instant results within an hour.

If you have an upcoming event or need your teeth whitened as fast as possible, then this is the best option for you. After applying the whitening agent, it will be exposed to UV light and left on for about an hour before rinsing it off. You will notice your teeth are significantly brighter after just one appointment.

How Long Does It Take For Teeth to Whiten?

This depends on the type of treatment and the severity of your discoloration. In-office whitening can lighten your teeth by up to 10 shades in a single appointment that is only one hour long. 

However, some patients who have severe discoloration will require multiple sessions to reach their desired shade. Take-home whitening takes significantly longer than in-office whitening not only in terms of actual application but also in terms of preparation. 

A dental lab needs to create custom trays based on a mold of your mouth, which can take up to a month. Then, once you receive the trays and begin using them, it can still take up to 2 weeks to reach your desired results.