Teeth Whitening in Alvarado

Why Should You Get Professional Teeth Whitening?

Chair-side teeth whitening, or power bleaching, relies on a professional dentist’s experience to give you the best possible results. While DIY whitening has benefits, it’s best to start with in-office treatments that are carefully monitored to make sure the bleaching solution doesn’t cause pain or damage.

Our patients also love how our professional bleaching gel is highly concentrated to provide dramatic results that you can see immediately. We’ll usually recommend using professional treatments for teeth whitening to remove stains that come from long-term consumption of specific foods and beverages. Teeth whitening is also great for lifting tobacco stains from smoking, and many patients use the procedure to jumpstart their efforts to end the habit.

It is important to note, however, that some stains are resistant to teeth whitening procedures. Tetracycline stains and other types that occur deep within your tooth’s structure won’t lift with bleaching solutions. Restoration materials for crowns, fillings and veneers are also less responsive to teeth whitening solutions compared to natural tooth enamel.

When you have teeth restorations or suspect the stains are more than just from enjoying coffee or tea, then it’s important to seek a professional’s advice on teeth whitening. Our dentist will do an examination and identify the cause of the staining to prevent unwanted results. If whitening isn’t your best option, then veneers might be a solution for covering up stains.

Can a Dentist Suggest Options for Teeth Whitening at Home?

We understand that being able to whiten your teeth at home provides more convenience, and lots of patients use a combination of professional and at-home treatments for maintenance. We can take impressions in our office to make custom teeth whitening trays that you can use at home with a professional-grade gel.

Dentist-guided at-home whitening can often lighten teeth by up to six shades when our patients wear their trays for one hour a day for a two-week period. Let us know if you’re interested in this option for convenient whitening in the comfort of your home.

What’s the General Teeth Bleaching Cost?

The kind of teeth whitening system we use, the total number of treatments needed, and whether or not you need restorative tooth care all play a role in how much you’ll need to pay. The best way to find out your actual cost is to call us to set up an initial consultation. We’ll evaluate your needs and provide you with a clear estimate for improving your smile.

Which Is Better: Professional or DIY Teeth Whitening Products?

A quick glance at the grocery store shelf of over-the-counter teeth whitening options will reveal an array of different rinses, trays, strips, and gels that can provide some results. However, these still lack the strength that our professional whitening gels provide.

Plus, DIY products can sometimes result in uneven whitening when you have fillings or other restorations in the visible part of your smile. In a worst-case scenario, incorrect use of over-the-counter products can cause gum irritation and other issues. Asking our dentist to recommend and oversee at-home whitening helps to eliminate the risk of user errors impacting your smile.

What Steps Will a Teeth Bleaching Dentist Use for the Procedure?

The procedure our dentist uses for in-office teeth whitening depends on the type of system they select for your needs. This is a general description of what you can expect during a typical whitening session.

1. Our dentist will do an exam and teeth cleaning.
2. We may take photos to identify the current tooth shade and monitor your progress.
3. We’ll place a cheek retractor in your mouth to gain better access to your teeth.
4. Your dentist will apply a protective liquid to help shield your gums.
5. A series of individual coatings of the bleaching gel will be applied. Usually, each coating is left in place for a specific amount of time and removed before the next one.
6. Certain whitening systems use specialized light to improve the results.
7. Following the final gel application, our dentist will assess the color changes and make suggestions on any follow-up or at-home treatments you might need.

Are you ready to see a beautiful, gleaming, white smile? If so, then we are ready to help you achieve your goal. Contact us today to ask about cosmetic teeth whitening in Alvarado that uses a personalized approach to make smiles brighter.