Professional Teeth Whitening: Make Your Smile Dazzle in Just One Visit

People agree on few things more than the fact that they wish their smile was a little brighter. The American College of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that whiter teeth are the most common thing people wish to change about their smile. Additionally, the American Association of Orthodontists found that nearly 90% of its members had patients who wanted to add whitening to their orthodontic wish list.

With such high demand for whiter teeth, it is natural that there are a lot of whitening solutions and procedures out there: toothpastes, mouthwashes, and boxed whitening products all advertise how they’ll transform your pearly whites. However, these products can’t match the precision and care that goes into an in-office whitening treatment. Nothing else offers the personalization from a custom treatment that will perfectly match your smile.

Do you have discolored or yellow teeth that could use a little bit of TLC to get their shine back? If so, come see the team at Mark Kramer, DDS in Tustin, California. Our practice offers complete smile makeovers that will improve the look of your teeth and boost your self-confidence. In this blog, Dr. Kramer discusses how teeth become discolored, the whitening process, and what to expect during an in-office treatment.

How teeth become discolored

Tooth discoloration causes can be sorted into three main categories. Extrinsic discoloration is caused by something outside your body that your teeth come into contact with; intrinsic discoloration is caused by something inside your teeth or body. Age-related discoloration can occur later in life. Examples include:

• Extrinsic
• Foods (certain colorful fruits and vegetables)
• Beverages (coffee, tea, cola, red wine)
• Tobacco
• Intrinsic
• Certain medications
• Trauma or injury to a tooth
• Tooth decay
• Too much fluoride
• Genetics

Age-related discoloration may often be a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Why you should opt for in-office whitening

A whitening treatment done in a dental office is the quickest way to get your bright smile back. This speed comes from two factors. First, Dr. Kramer can use strong peroxide-based bleaching solutions that wouldn’t be recommended for an at-home kit – in-office treatments use 15-43% peroxide, while at-home kits range from 3 to 20% peroxide. Dentists also have access to special light and heat treatments that speed the whitening process. In-office whitening also allows for custom shading that’s personalized to your smile.

What to expect

At the start of your treatment, Dr. Kramer will note the current shade of your teeth and will discuss the shade you wish to achieve. Your teeth will then be polished with pumice to remove any plaque that would interfere with the whitening. Once this is completed, the rest of your mouth will be isolated from your teeth with gauze and barriers to both protect your mouth and keep the teeth dry. The whitening solution is then applied and will typically take 30-60 minutes to dry and work its magic before your mouth is rinsed.

Most patients will need a couple of follow-up appointments to reach their desired shade. However, you’ll notice a marked improvement after just one visit — your bright smile is on its way. Dr. Kramer’s smile makeovers, which may also include veneers, will be custom-tailored to your specific smile goals.

To learn more about in-office whitening treatments and smile makeovers, book an appointment online or over the phone with Mark Kramer, DDS today.