Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is a very popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. Many patients are drawn to this treatment option because it provides dramatic results in one simple treatment.
Candidates for Teeth Whitening
The best candidates for teeth whitening have good oral health, unrestored teeth, and the type of staining that responds well to the treatment. In general, yellow stains, such as those from smoking or coffee, tend to respond best to teeth whitening treatments. Some stains, such as the gray stains that appear after taking certain medications, will not respond to teeth whitening and may be better addressed through alternative treatments, such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers.
Professional Vs. At-Home Treatments
At-home teeth whitening treatments are not as effective as professional teeth whitening treatments. Even with multiple applications over many weeks, at-home systems will not be able to achieve the same degree of whitening that professional systems produce in just one treatment. Additionally, whitening achieved with at-home treatments will not last as long as professional results. Most patients find that the increased effectiveness and convenience of professional teeth whitening treatments is worth the increased cost.
Professional Teeth Whitening Procedure
The professional teeth whitening procedure is performed at your dentist's office in about an hour. First, the dental technician will protect your lips and gums from coming in contact with the whitening gel. Then, the gel is applied to your teeth and a special light is positioned over your teeth to activate the gel. Then, you relax in the dentist's chair while the gel works to lighten your teeth. When your procedure is complete, you will see significant results - often 10 shades of improvement or more! For more information about teeth whitening, contact our Michigan cosmetic dentistry center today.