Teeth Whitening Information

Over-the Counter
Bonding
Veneers
Professional bleaching

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Welcome

Teeth Whitening

One of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry today is teeth whitening. The pervasivness of products such as Crest's Whitestrips, and the growing popularity of reality-type makeover shows have made the process very much a mainstream issue among all parts of society.

Before undertaking any procedure or buying any product to change the appearance of your teeth, you should always consult with your dental professional to discuss your options.

Some of the more popular ways to whiten your teeth are:

Over-the-Counter

Crest Whitestrips
Oral-B Whitening Strips
At-home bleaching kits

In-the-Office

Bonding
Porcelain veneers
Professional bleaching

How effective are whitening systems?

In-office bleaching is effective in causing most stains to lighten. These include stains caused by tobacco, coffee/tea, and age. Clinical studies have shown that well over 90% of patients will experience some degree of whitening.

If you have tooth staining that is related to the use of certain medications on the overuse of fluoride, those stains will respond less to bleaching efforts.

It is important to note that if you have tooth-colored fillings, the fillings will stay their original color. They do not respond or change color when any type of whitener is applied to them.

What are the side effects?

Some studies have shown that patients can have uncomfortable side effects that are usually short-term in nature.

Hydrogen peroxide can often increase the tooth's sensitivity to temperature. Overdoing the treatments can also wear away at the enamel of teeth as well.