Do you have tooth stains? Have your teeth become discolored over time? The dental team at Brookwood Dental Associates provides patients with teeth whitening in Lansdale, PA. Whitening treatment is a cosmetic dentistry solution that brightens the smile. Teeth whitening treatment overseen by a professional can erase years of stains from the tooth enamel.
There are a variety of causes of tooth stains, including foods and beverages, nicotine, and dental injuries. Foods and drinks like coffee, tea, wine, berries, and tomatoes can stain the tooth enamel over time.
The same can be said for tobacco products. These products contain nicotine, which turns teeth yellow. Patients who have sustained a dental injury may notice that their teeth have become discolored. This is due to intrinsic staining, which comes from within the tooth. Chips and cracks can also expose dentin, the dark underlayer beneath the tooth enamel.
Teeth Whitening Options
At our office, we provide both in-office and take-home whitening options. In-office solutions are ideal when you need a quick solution. If you have an event like a wedding coming up, an in-office option can make your smile up to eight times whiter.
Our options include convenient take-home or in-office whitening:
Laser Whitening
Whitening with dental lasers offers a safe and quick way to see results. We provide in-office treatment with EPIC Laser Whitening.
To prepare for this treatment, we clean the teeth then isolate the gums to minimize sensitivity. Then, we apply a bleaching gel to cover each tooth. Heat and light activate the hydrogen peroxide in the whitening gel. We use the laser pen to whiten the teeth in quadrants for a total treatment time of eight minutes.
Take-Home Whitening
We offer take-home whitening for patients who want to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their homes. In our office, we will take impressions of your teeth to custom-make bleaching trays to fit your mouth. The trays seal off saliva and prevent it from interfering with your treatment. The customized fit also helps prevent the bleaching agent from getting on the gums and other soft tissues, causing sensitivity.
When the trays have been made, we’ll send you home with your whitening kit. You’ll wear them for a certain amount each night for a select number of days. This process is more gradual but also more customizable. We’ll come up with the perfect amount of time for treatment to get you the results you want.
Alternatives to Teeth Whitening
Veneers and bonding are great options for patients with deep tooth stains that cannot be easily removed with regular cleanings or whitening treatments. These two procedures can help improve the appearance of the teeth and give patients a brighter, more confident smile.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells custom-made to fit over the front surface of the teeth. Veneers are typically made out of porcelain composite resin and designed to match the color and shape of the natural teeth. They’re also resistant to staining, so they can help maintain a whiter smile over time. We can apply a single veneer or cover all the teeth in your smile zone with veneers.
Tooth bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the surface of the teeth and then shaping and curing it into place. This procedure can also effectively cover up deep stains to give a more even and attractive look. We often recommend bonding for single teeth or for patients who don’t want to commit to veneers.
Professional vs. Store-Bought Whitening
Our professional teeth whitening in Lansdale, PA has many benefits over store-bought varieties. Getting your teeth whitened by a dentist is better than using store-bought products. Dentists use a strong whitening gel that is made to be safe for your teeth and gums. If you need take-home whitening, we provide customized trays to make sure all your teeth get whitened evenly for a natural look.
Store-bought whitening treatments might not be as effective because they have weaker ingredients and can take longer to work. They can also make your teeth sensitive and might not give you even results. See us for professional whitening to get the best and safest results for your smile.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to common questions patients have about whitening treatment to learn more about this cosmetic option:
Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
At Brookwood Dental Associates, we help minimize tooth and gum sensitivity. During your first consultation with one of our dentists, please let us know if you have a history of tooth sensitivity.
We can minimize gum sensitivity with in-office treatment by using a gum barrier. This barrier helps us deliver the whitening solution to the teeth. If you choose take-home whitening, we will review your bleaching gel options.
Are there other cosmetic dental options to whiten teeth?
Patients with intrinsic stains will not respond to professional whitening treatments. This is because their teeth are discolored due to dentin, the layer beneath the tooth enamel. For deep stains, we recommend porcelain veneers, tooth bonding, or dental crowns. These treatments may be used to brighten the smile and protect injured teeth.
Are professional teeth whitening or store-bought options best for sensitivity?
Store-bought whitening toothpaste, pens, gels, and strips often do not deliver results. In addition, some patients may develop sensitivity due to using store-bought whitening treatments. When provided by a dental professional, teeth whitening treatment delivers brilliant results with minimal sensitivity.
How long do I wait to eat or drink after teeth whitening?
You can eat or drink right after the process. However, we recommend that you wait 48 hours before you consume anything likely to stain. Whitening opens up the pores of your teeth, and they stay open for a while afterward. If you need to drink coffee or other staining beverages during this time, drink through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
The results can last anywhere from six months to two years. Various factors make it different for everyone. Genetics may increase your chance of yellow teeth, and your lifestyle habits also come into play. If you smoke or frequently drink coffee and black tea, your teeth will discolor faster than those who don’t.
Am I a good candidate for teeth whitening?
Most patients are good candidates for teeth whitening. However, we don’t recommend it for patients under 16, because their teeth are still growing and developing.
We also want to find the root cause of stains before we treat them. If you have tooth stains from medication or trauma, it won’t respond to traditional whitening techniques. We’ll recommend other options, like porcelain veneers, instead.
Brighten Your Smile Today
Do you want a younger-looking, whiter smile? Schedule a dental appointment on our website or call Brookwood Dental at 267-651-7247 today for teeth whitening treatment in Lansdale, PA.
If you have questions about your options, let us know at your next visit. We’ll be glad to help.