What You Need to Know About Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

The start of a new year typically inspires people to think about self-improvement. While you may resolve to be a better person, improving your appearance is also likely to be on your list. If you want a bright, white smile, you’re in luck! Professional teeth whitening by your dentist provides instant gratification that will boost your confidence — and it’s much easier than breaking established bad habits! Having a sparkling smile could even provide the motivation to keep your more personally demanding resolutions!

Please note that we’ve specified professional teeth whitening, as opposed to over-the-counter (OTC) methods — such as whitening strips and gel trays. Although OTC products are inexpensive, there are risks in using them should you attempt to do-it-yourself.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

The first benefit begins even before the whitening procedure. This is the consultation with your dentist to determine the cause of your discoloration and whether tooth whitening is the appropriate treatment. Those with worn/thin enamel, exposed roots, cavities or gum disease are not good candidates — nor are pregnant or lactating women.

It’s important to know that the gradual wearing away of enamel is the primary cause of yellowish teeth in people who are middle-age-plus. As the layer of enamel thins, it exposes the dentin just beneath — which has a yellow tone. Many people in this age group believe their teeth have yellowed due to drinking coffee and/or red wine or other environmental factors. Using an OTC whitener will not only be ineffective, it will strip away the remaining enamel. Consultation with your dentist is essential to confirm that your discoloration can effectively and safely be treated with a whitening procedure.

If the cause of your teeth discoloration can’t be addressed by whitening, other options such as composite bonding, veneers or crowns may be open. Should cavities or gum disease be involved, these conditions need to be treated before any cosmetic procedure is considered.

Assuming that professional teeth whitening is right for your situation, advantages of this treatment include the following:

Safe treatment administered by a medical professional — This only applies to teeth whitening procedures performed by a licensed dentist. Avoid procedures performed by spas, as many whitening spas and kiosks don’t have a licensed dentist on site who can perform an oral examination to determine if you’re a good candidate. Moreover, only a licensed dentist with an OSHA regulated practice can ensure that proper safety and sterilization techniques are enforced in the materials and barrier methods used during your procedure.

Long-lasting results — An in-office whitening procedure can produce a result lasting up to three years with proper care — whereas OTC treatments may only last a few months. Avoid causes of staining, such as tobacco use, coffee, tea and red wine. If you drink coffee or tea daily, brush your teeth as soon as possible after each cup, or rinse your mouth with water if brushing isn’t possible.

What You Can Expect During Your Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment

As there are different types of professional in-office teeth whitening treatments, the steps in which your procedure will be performed depend upon the treatment you choose. NK Family Dental is proud to offer Zoom and Opalescence teeth whitening treatments. Each of these excellent, proven treatments is administered by different means. We will recommend the treatment best suited to your situation and aesthetic goals based upon your consultation.

Should the Zoom treatment be performed, this procedure can make teeth eight shades whiter, reversing stains from food, drink, aging and even discoloration from some types of medication. This is performed in-office, and takes about 45 minutes. Results are immediate. The steps are as follow:

  • Your mouth will be prepared for whitening; a layer of advanced whitening gel will be applied to your teeth.
  • A blue LED lamp will be used to accelerate the whitening process.
  • The first two steps are repeated three times.
  • Once your desired shade is achieved, a post-treatment gel will be applied to help protect enamel and reduce sensitivity.

The Opalescence treatment involves the application of the whitening gel in-office. The gel is chemically activated, without the need for an LED lamp. This procedure involves two or three 20-minute treatments during the same visit. As with the Zoom treatment, results are immediate. The steps are as follow:

  • You’ll be given a pair of protective eyewear to wear during the procedure.
  • A lip and cheek retractor will be placed in your mouth to keep your lips and tongue clear of the whitening gel.
  • A gel-like barrier will be placed around your gumline. This helps ensure that once placed, the whitening gel will only come into contact with your teeth.
  •  After each 20-minute treatment, the whitening gel will be suctioned off your teeth.
  • The shade change of your teeth will be evaluated after each treatment.
  • The barriers are removed after the final treatment.

Both types of treatments produce dramatic results that give you a smile to be proud of when you leave the office! Neither is better — each has advantages that may be more suitable or appealing to the individual patient.

Professional whitening treatments are also available as a take-home kit option. If this is your choice, your dentist will take impressions and fashion custom-fitted trays to ensure a perfect fit and distribution of the whitening gel. This option does not achieve the immediate results of an in-office treatment, but is ultimately just as effective and safe.

Downsides of Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products

Using OTC whitening products leaves you on your own. Without examination by a dentist during consultation, you might not know if you have gum disease or cavities — or any other underlying condition that would make teeth whitening unadvisable. Also, many people don’t always read label directions carefully, as misusing OTC products increases the risk to tooth enamel. Leaving OTC whitening strips on your teeth longer than the directions recommend won’t make your teeth whiter, faster! Your dentist will ensure that a professional whitening procedure won’t erode your enamel, and take steps to prevent damage.

In addition, OTC whitening products are a one-size-fits-all solution. A professional treatment provided by your dentist ensures that you’re receiving the right amount of whitening agent, and that it is properly applied. Whitening strips in particular can “miss” areas of your teeth, producing an uneven effect.

As Country Club Dentistry, Rancho Mirage, CA, notes, “With tooth whitening, the old saying really does ring true — you get what you pay for. That means, if you skimp on whitening strips from your local pharmacy, the whitening won’t be as bright or as lasting. Yes, your teeth will get whiter. But the level of whiteness will not have the same striking effect as they will if you get them done by a professional. For example, at-home OTC teeth whitening usually brightens your teeth 1-4 shades while your dentist can brighten your teeth 6-8 shades.”

The Take-Home Message

A bright smile can let you go out in the world with extra confidence! If you are considering teeth whitening, get the shining, healthy smile you deserve and call NK Family Dental. Our team will help address your oral health concerns and needs, and determine the best solution for you based upon your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs, and make it easy to get the new year off to a great start!

At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.

Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.

We understand that the main concern you may have is cost, which is why we accept all major PPO plans for dental insurance and also offer our in-house dental plan. Please see our financing page for more information.

We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!

Schedule your visit through ZocDoc, or contact us directly. We look forward to treating you soon!

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