Teeth Whitening Today

A beautiful white smile represents health and success, so it comes as no surprise that cosmetic teeth whitening services are in high demand.

 

Mall Kiosks advertise “Professional Whitening in just Minutes!”

Online Ads read “Screaming White teeth in just 15 minutes!”

 

Whitening specials are popping up across the country. But how safe are they? And how do they compare to a professional laser whitening treatment from your dentist?

 

Most teeth whitening options will contain the same active ingredient, carbamide peroxide. But don’t be fooled, there are some major differences between Kiosk whitening and a true professional whitening from your dentist.

 

These “pop up” businesses have found a legal loophole that allows them to preform medical procedures, without any professional training.

This is how it works –

The kiosk operator never technically places the product in the client’s mouth. Instead, the client inserts the product into his or her own mouth.  Making the client liable for any damages done.

When you receive professional whitening, there are precautions put into place to insure your safety.  These measures are absolutely necessary, and neglecting to do so can result in permanent damage to the teeth and gums.

These strong carbamide peroxide solutions should not be applied to compromised or weakened enamel.

 

To protect tissues from chemical burns, a customized resin protective barrier should be applied to the gum line.

Carbamide peroxide solutions come in different strengths ranging from 10 – 40 percent concentrations. The appropriate concentration for each patient is based on factors such as type of stain, depth of stain, tooth sensitivity and shade of existing restorations.

Considerations before whitening:

You should be current with your dental cleaning before whitening. Plaque, tarter and stain will interfere with the carbamide peroxide’s effectiveness, leaving you with discoloration spots.

People with tooth decay or chipped or cracked teeth aren’t good candidates.

Any person with areas of recession or sensitive teeth may need to use a lower concentration of carbamide peroxide.

If you have crowns, veneers or bonding on front teeth, and they are bleached incorrectly, your teeth will no longer match in shade.

Not all stains can be removed through teeth whitening. Tooth stains can come from outside (extrinsic) or inside (intrinsic) sources. There are different mechanisms for removing these, and they need to be diagnosed by a dental professional.

 

Following these guidelines will help you to safely keep the white and bright smile you desire. Feel free to drop by or call our office any time with questions!