Teeth Whitening
Professional Teeth Whitening
If you are unhappy with the shade of your teeth, you might have thought about getting your teeth whitened. You may have even tried some of the myriad over-the-counter teeth whitening toothpastes or whitening strips only to be disappointed by the lack of results. Professional teeth whitening — under the supervision of your dentist — may be able to provide more dramatic, noticeable results.
Teeth Whitening Services
At West Coast Dental, we offer at-home teeth whitening, as well as in-office professional teeth whitening. Dental whitening treatment can mean better results in less time. Our teeth whitening services can boost your self-confidence — and it can even make you look years younger.
In-office Dental Whitening
Dental whitening is safer and more effective than over-the-counter kits and toothpastes. With professional teeth whitening, you don’t have to worry about safety. Most of our patients report feeling none of the sensitivity after whitening that often occurs after over-the-counter teeth whitening. When you opt for dental whitening under the supervision of a dental professional, your gums and soft tissues are protected for safer, more comfortable results.
Teeth Whitening At-Home
Unlike over-the-counter whitening kits, our dental whitening at-home kits come with custom-fitted dental whitening trays. This ensures that more of the whitening agent comes into contact with the surfaces of your teeth rather than your gums. The end result is more effective whitening and less sensitivity from the gel touching soft tissues.
Benefits Of In-Office Dental Whitening
In-office cosmetic teeth whitening offers the following benefits:
- Quicker results. You can leave the dentist’s office with teeth that are several shades lighter than when you walked in.
- Customized treatment. Over-the-counter whitening kits provide one-size-fits-all results. With in-office cosmetic teeth whitening, you and your dentist can talk about what whitening results you are seeking for a customized treatment.
- Comfort. In many cases, people use over-the-counter teeth whitening kits incorrectly, and the resulting sensitivity can be uncomfortable. Your dentist will take steps to ensure that gums and soft tissues are protected from coming into contact with the whitening gel so you’ll have less sensitivity after the procedure.
Dental Whitening Procedure
There are several steps involved with the professional dental whitening procedure:
- Cleaning. Before having your teeth professionally whitened, we recommend that you have your teeth cleaned to remove surface stains and built-up tartar and plaque. This will help ensure better whitening results.
- Pre-whitening. Your dentist will record the current shade of your teeth, talk to you about your desired results and decide on the amount of whitening solution and bleaching agent to use.
- Drying out the mouth. To keep saliva from interfering with the dental whitening process, your dentist will use retractors and gauze pads to keep your cheeks and tongue away from your teeth and the whitening gel.
- Coating and activation. The gel will be applied to the front of your teeth and left to sit there for a certain period of time. Your dentist may use a bleaching light or laser to activate the whitening solution.
How to Care for Your Teeth After Whitening
After going through the teeth whitening process, most people wish to protect their results for as long as possible. The first 24 hours after the procedure are particularly important. So, it’s crucial that you avoid food and beverages that can cause staining and avoid smoking or using tobacco products. If you don’t, you’ll notice the whiteness of your teeth start to dull after just a few months.
Standard Oral Care
Follow proper oral care after having your dental whitening treatment. This includes brushing immediately after eating or drinking anything that might stain your teeth. Follow proper oral care by brushing your teeth in the morning and evening, and be sure to floss at least once per day (preferably at night). You can also rinse with mouthwash every morning and night.
The Following Should Be Consumed in Moderation After Whitening
- Dark Sodas
- Coffee
- Red Wines
- Teas
- Tobacco Products
- Deeply-Colored Sauces
- Berries
Teeth Whitening Before and After
As shown in the before and after shot, professional teeth whitening can provide patients with impressive results. Your dentist can talk to you about what kind of results you can expect.
Getting Your Teeth Whitening Treatment at West Coast Dental
You can trust the team of board-certified specialists at West Coast Dental to provide you with experienced, comfortable care. Find out about same-day appointments. We also accept most insurance companies.
Team of Board-Certified Specialists
Our team of board-certified specialists includes general dentists, as well as oral surgeons, periodontists, pedodontists, endodontists and orthodontists. We are proud to have their knowledge and skills available at our West Coast Dental offices.
Same-day Appointments Available
Call us at 888-329-8111 to request an appointment for professional teeth whitening or for any other dental service. We offer same-day appointments for emergencies, as well.
Most Insurances Accepted
West Coast Dental is happy to accept most insurance plans to make it easy for you to get the dental care you need. Let us answer your insurance coverage questions and payment options.
FAQ
Can dental whitening truly remove stains off of my teeth?
Professional teeth whitening penetrates the microcracks in your teeth to remove deep stains from the layer below your enamel. This layer is also known as dentin.
What is the difference between teeth whitening treatment and teeth bleaching services?
Although many people use these terms interchangeably, there is a technical difference. Teeth whitening refers to restoring your teeth back to their natural color, whereas teeth bleaching services refers to the process of making your teeth whiter than their natural color.
Does insurance cover cosmetic teeth whitening?
Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance generally covers routine preventive care. Some policies offer a discount on services such as cosmetic teeth whitening. So, it’s best to contact your insurance company to find out the specifics of your plan.
How long does professional teeth whitening procedure take?
When you come to us for the professional teeth whitening procedure, expect to spend an hour to an hour-and-a-half with us. We will need time to prepare your teeth for the whitening process. Then, we’ll need time for the teeth bleaching process itself.
Can you whiten teeth with braces?
If you have traditional braces with wires and brackets, we highly recommend that you wait until after your braces have been removed before undergoing the teeth whitening process. Teeth whitening while wearing braces can result in uneven whitening. However, if you have removable or lingual braces, teeth whitening can be quite effective.
Who’s a candidate for professional teeth whitening?
The best way to find out for sure who is a good candidate for cosmetic teeth whitening is to talk to your dentist. At West Coast Dental, we find that most of our patients with healthy teeth and gums can expect good results from the dental whitening treatment.
Does whitening work on all teeth?
The teeth whitening process focuses primarily on the teeth that show when you smile. It does not work on porcelain or most cosmetic bonding materials including veneers, dentures, crowns or dental implants.
What causes teeth staining?
Most teeth staining is caused by lifestyle choices such as eating foods that cause staining, drinking beverages such as red wine, coffee and tea and smoking or chewing tobacco products. The aging process can also cause teeth to yellow over time.
When is the best time to whiten teeth?
The best time to whiten teeth is after you’ve had a professional teeth cleaning. Removing plaque and tartar buildup will help ensure you get the best results.
Are at-home teeth whitening kit better than dental whitening?
Most people are disappointed with the results after they try at-home teeth whitening kits. Often these whitening kits are used incorrectly or are not used often or long enough for there to be any noticeable result. Professional whitening services conducted by your dentist involves a gel that has a higher concentration of bleaching agent which can produce more dramatic results.
Do you offer custom take home whitening treatments?
We offer custom take home whitening treatments that include dental whitening trays that are made after we take a mold of your teeth. A custom-made whitening tray ensures that more of the whitening agent comes into contact with your teeth which provides patients with good results.
What types of teeth whitening services do you offer?
At West Coast Dental, we offer in-office dental whitening and at-home professional whitening kits. For patients who would like a quicker result, we recommend they come in for in-office dental whitening treatment. Patients will leave their appointment with whiter teeth than when they came in. Our at-home kits offer similar results, but patients will need to use their dental whitening trays over a period of days.
How does teeth whitening work?
Stains on teeth are classified as either extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are those on the surface of your teeth, and this style of stain can often be removed with a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse. Intrinsic stains are those that live deep in the tiny cracks of your enamel and deep within the layer below the enamel (dentin). With professional teeth whitening treatment, the whitening agent penetrates the tooth enamel to remove both types of stains.
Will cosmetic teeth whitening cause any sensitivity?
Most of our patients do not report any sensitivity because we take steps to protect the soft tissues from coming into contact with the whitening agent. Over-the-counter whitening kits are well-known for causing sensitivity, and this is usually because they are not used properly.