Teeth Whitening

Yes. We’d love to speak with you about your whitening options. Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss a customized treatment plan for whitening.

Teeth whitening isn’t permanent, but professional whitening does give you lasting results. How long it lasts depends on what you eat and drink, how you take care of your teeth, and your lifestyle in general.

You can extend the life of whitening by:

Avoiding tobacco products
Limiting consumption of staining beverages and foods, such as coffee, black tea, red wine, berries, soy sauce, and tomatoes
Rinsing or brushing your teeth as quickly as possible after eating to remove particles before they can stain
Visiting your dentist two times a year for dental cleanings

Doing what you can to maintain and preserve the effects of the procedure can result in whitening lasting up to 10 years.

Professional bleaching is more expensive than using an over-the-counter whitening product. The results also vary a great deal, which is why people are willing to pay more for professional whitening.

The exact cost of teeth whitening is based on what system we use, the number of treatments you need to achieve your desired results, and the need for follow-up or repair.

We can provide an estimate for the cost of your treatment so you can make an informed decision about whitening.

At-home over-the-counter teeth whitening systems can be effective. You should look for a product that offers reliable results, is easy to use, and helps with stubborn stains. Products come in rinse, gel, strip, toothpaste, and tray form.

Most OTC systems are easy to use and inexpensive, but you rarely get dramatic results. Some also trigger gum irritation. Professional-grade whitening products with dental supervision tend to offer the best “bang for your buck” and provide the best whitening results.

The teeth whitening procedure varies a bit from person to person and based on the system they choose. In general, the steps include:

Examination and cleaning of your teeth
Photographing teeth to establish a baseline tooth color and evaluating results of whitening
Exposure of affected teeth with a cheek retractor
Application of protective liquid to gums
Application of bleaching gel (there is usually several applications)
UV lamp activation, if needed based on the whitening system used
Examination after completion of treatment to determine if additional rounds of whitening are needed

Some patients prefer at-home whitening treatment. We offer professional-grade at-home whitening kits that are custom-made for patients. These kits include custom-fitted whitening trays and professional-strength gel.

We’ll provide you with instructions for at-home whitening that ensure you can do the process safely and effectively.

Most procedures require the whitening trays be worn for an hour a day and provide a six-shade improvement. Give us a call if you’d like to learn more about at-home whitening.

Our whitening systems are effective for most people. They work on enamel stains caused by food, drink, and tobacco.

Whitening doesn’t work on some types of discolorations. This includes stains caused by problems with a tooth’s structure or the medication tetracycline.

Bleaching also doesn’t work on fillings, crowns, and veneers. If you are interested in the whitening of a dental restoration, we can discuss your options and determine if repairs are needed to help them better blend with the color of your natural teeth before or after whitening.

We offer both power bleaching and chairside whitening procedures. Both are suitable for most patients.

We use a highly concentrated bleaching gel that provides dramatic results instantly.

During the process, your dentist monitors each stage of the whitening procedure to ensure it is painless, safe, and effective.