Teeth Whitening

teeth whitening coupleTeeth whitening is a process that lightens discoloration and removes stains from the enamel and dentin of your teeth. We offer two gentle and safe ways to whiten:

  • ZOOM® in-office teeth whitening takes a little over an hour and provides immediate results. The special formula ZOOM® gel interacts with the ZOOM® light to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration.
  • An alternative to ZOOM® in-office teeth whitening is custom-fitted take-home whitening trays. Worn overnight, the whitening trays are specially designed for you only and are used with a mild solution at home at your convenience to gently whiten your teeth over a number of days.

Why can only a dentist get my teeth their whitest?
The powerful whitening solutions that we use can only be prescribed by a dentist. The teeth whitening systems you can purchase over the counter do not contain the safe and effective potency of the solutions we use nor do they ensure that your gums and teeth are protected from inadvertent damage by improper application of the solutions.

Prior to beginning treatment, we will examine your teeth and gums to determine whether you have any untreated cavities, tooth decay, unhealthy teeth or any other contra-indications for teeth whitening. Then, depending on which procedure you choose, we will either take an impression of your teeth to make our custom-fitted take-home trays or begin the ZOOM® in-office procedure at your convenience.

What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes of tooth discoloration. The most common include closed corpuscles due to aging; stains caused by coffee, tea, red wines, colas, tobacco, red sauces, etc.; trauma bruising, tetracycline (antibiotic) markings; excessive fluoride usage, and nerve degeneration.

Who can benefit from teeth whitening?
Almost anyone can benefit from teeth whitening. However there are some cases where the treatment may not be effective. Tooth-whitening is most ideal for patients who have healthy, un-restored teeth and would like to have a whiter, brighter smile. People with yellow or yellow-brown teeth tend to whiten best. Multi-colored teeth, especially if stained due to tetracycline, do not whiten easily. In addition, fillings, bondings, veneers and crowns do not bleach and may need to be replaced to match the lightened teeth once the whitening is completed.

We will conduct a thorough oral examination of your teeth and gums to determine whether you are a viable candidate for either of our two teeth whitening systems. Neither whitening procedure is known to harm the teeth or gums and significant whitening can be achieved in the majority of cases.

Do I need a cleaning prior to whitening?
Yes, a professional cleaning should be done just prior to the whitening process to obtain the optimum results. We will remove extrinsic stains and calculus (tartar) deposits that could hinder you from obtaining the best results possible. Also, a professional cleaning will remove any irritants that may lead to gum sensitivity during the whitening process. After the cleaning, you can give your teeth and gums the best chance of being their healthiest by maintaining good oral hygiene daily, including flossing.

How long does whitening take?
If you choose the ZOOM® in-office procedure, it will take a little over an hour. You will also be provided with custom-fitted take-home trays so that you can do your own touch-ups as needed

If you select the custom-fitted, take-home teeth whitening process, generally 10 days of 3-4 hours a day usage is needed and then touch-ups are recommended as needed.

How white will my teeth get?
Everyone presents with different circumstances so this is a difficult question to answer. There are many factors to consider including the cause of staining, the degree of darkness, the color of the stain and your compliance with the process. Also, we should note that occasionally some teeth don’t whiten evenly. The biting edges and the sides of your teeth may whiten more quickly than the rest of your teeth because your enamel is thinner in these areas and responds better to the whitening process.