Tooth whitening has become very popular and is frequently requested by patients. Most commonly, we recommend the patient have bleaching trays made and do the bleaching at home. This procedure takes 2 short appointments. An impression is taken during the first appointment and it is sent to the lab. Approximately 2 weeks later, the second appointment is scheduled to have the custom lab trays tried in the mouth and receive the bleaching materials. One small drop is placed into each tooth on the tray and the patient wears the trays for 30 minutes each day for two weeks. It is important to not get the solution on the gums during this treatment. Once the trays are in the mouth, a damp toothbrush or washcloth can be used to wipe the gums so the chemical does not cause any gingival irritation. Tooth sensitivity can occur from any whitening procedure. The patient can whiten less frequently if needed. The patient can also do “touch-ups” every couple months, if needed, to brighten their smile.
We also offer in-house whitening procedure in one appointment that is approximately an hour long. During this appointment, a mouth brace is used to comfortably keep the patients mouth open. The lips and gums are coated with a protective preparation and the teeth are coated with a specifically designed whitening gel. The procedure is then repeated three times to break up the stains and discolorations on the teeth. This procedure is not recommended for patients who experience tooth sensitivity.