Mechanicsville dentist, Dentist in Mechanicsville, VA

Whitening/Bleaching

Bringing Out Your Very Best Smile

If you'd like to smile more confidently, knowing your teeth are their whitest and brightest, you might want to consider dentist-supervised tooth whitening. Teeth whitening is a safe, effective, and lasting way to lighten your smile. Whitening treatments are most successful in removing yellow, brown, or orange tinges resulting from age, coffee, tea, or smoking. However, dark gray tones from fluorosis or tetracycline use often will not whiten as dramatically and take much longer to lighten. Artificial materials such as composite resins or porcelains in your mouth do not whiten at all. Finally, sensitive teeth, teeth with periodontal disease, and teeth with worn enamel typically do not respond well to whitening.

There are two primary methods of whitening: in-office whitening and supervised at-home whitening. In-office bleaching works by applying a very strong whitening material while protecting your gums. The process can be completed in less than 2 hours and can give dramatic immediate results. The main disadvantages are increased sensitivity (which will go away), the whitening does not last as long, is difficult to "touch up" and added cost. The less expensive supervised at-home methods produce great, long lasting results by daily applications over one or more weeks of wearing a customized gel-filled tray appliance, and will result in extraordinary improvement. Also, you have the means to periodically and simply "touch up" and brighten your smile on a regular basis.

Procedure

The first step in the at-home whitening process is to make custom impressions of your upper and lower teeth. On these models we will make custom bleaching trays that will fit onto your teeth perfectly to help protect your gums from irritation.
Next, we'll show you how to place the bleaching solution in the trays and wear them for a few hours a day. Within 7-10 days, you will see a significant improvement in the color of your teeth. Your smile will look brighter and younger. We will take before and after photos so that you will be able to compare the amazing transformation.

Bleaching only works on natural teeth and may not be effective in all cases. We will inform you as to the potential whitening for your specific situation.