Whitening

We all want to look our best, and often, our smile makes a huge difference in how we feel about our appearance. However, even if you take good care of your teeth, they can become discolored for many reasons. Genetics can play a role in tooth color and how quickly tooth enamel discolors. Some discoloration takes place naturally with age. Trauma to the teeth, illness, medication, and exposure to certain foods, beverages and tobacco can also cause discoloration. If your teeth are discolored, tooth whitening may help!

Whitening products may be administered or dispensed by a dentist or purchased over-the-counter. The primary ways to whiten are:

1. Crest White Strips or Tres White–Can be purchased through the store or our office. “One size fits all” strips are slightly cumbersome.
2. Custom trays with whitening gel–Custom fitted tray; this is the most predictable technique. There are two strengths of bleach that require different time lengths — 35% strength takes 30 minutes, and 10% strength is left in overnight.
3. In-office whitening–takes two hours but is great if you want a dramatic change quickly. You are given the custom fitted trays and bleach to take home for maintaining your white teeth.