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 “whitening” procedure.
Get immediate white teeth with Venus Max and Pro Whitening System.
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 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 our next appointment.
Dental whitening can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of whitening treatments, teeth whitening 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 30 minutes 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 dental 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.
In Office Whitening Treatment Venus White Max
This system involves two appointments for the patient. On the first appointment, the patient will come to the office for dental impressions and education. A sensitive gel will be given to the patient to use prior to the day of the in-office bleaching procedure. This will help to decrease some of the sensitivity that may occur during and after the bleaching procedure.
On the day of the in-office bleaching procedure plan to be at our office for approximately 1/12 to 2 hours. The technician will isolate your teeth and gums and then apply three to four 15 minute treatments with 38% hydrogen peroxide gel. Upon leaving our office you will be given your Venus White Pro custom take-home whitening kit with your custom max whitening trays. For best results, it is important for the patient to wear the custom trays every day for the next week for 30 minutes each day until the desired shade has been obtained. Tooth sensitivity is likely to occur.
For the first 48 hours after the in-office treatment, we recommend that dark substances that could cause staining be avoided such as:
- Red wine
- Red meat
- Barbecue sauce
- Popsicles and slushies
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Beets
- Soy Sauce
- Coffee and Tea
- Smoking or Tobacco use
- Tomatoes and tomato sauces, Ketchup
- Dark soft drinks
- Berries and other dark fruits and fruit sauces/drinks
- Curry
- Foods containing dyes and artificial colorings.
It is normal for some people to experience minor tooth sensitivity for 1-3 days after the procedure. To minimize this you may want to avoid excessively hot or cold foods and beverages. If you experience discomfort, ask us about Venus Comfort Gel which contains potassium nitrate that may reduce sensitivity. If you need to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, check with your dentist first, or use a toothpaste formulated for sensitivity. If you have any severe or prolonged sensitivity, you should contact your dental professional.
All whitening procedures have some relapse. This can be affected by at-home dental hygiene routines and personal habits such as tobacco use and the consumption of foods and beverages. Therefore, we recommend using a Venus White home whitening system, as instructed by your dental professional, to maintain your whitening results.
Seek regular professional dental hygiene care to maintain oral health, keep staining to a minimum and determine the need for whitening touch-ups.
In addition, continue to practice good oral hygiene including thorough tooth brushing, flossing to remove debris from between the teeth, and tongue cleaning. Your dental professional will assist you in selecting the products to maintain not only a white smile but a healthy one as well!
At Home Tray Venus White Pro System
Some of our patients do not want to complete the process of the in-office whitening procedure. We do offer the option of the at-home tray system as an alternative. With this system, the patient will have impressions taken and custom trays fabricated just as if they were going to do the in-office procedure. The patient would apply the gel to their teeth daily at home in the tray system until they reach their desired shade. This bleaching system can achieve the same results as the in-office procedure, however, the patient has to be motivated to bleach daily during the process until the desired brightness has occurred. Tooth sensitivity may also occur with this system, but not usually as severe as the in-office procedure.
Bleach Refills
Most of our patients continue to do “touch up” bleaching after their main bleaching procedure is completed. Our office sells the touch-up kits and they can be purchased when you are in the office for your dental hygiene or filling appointments.