If a person wants a youthful appearance and a better smile, professional tooth whitening can do the job. Today’s whitening procedures are effective, safe and affordable, and they can make a person look younger while increasing self confidence. Professional Teeth Whitening in Alexandria VA can remove the signs of:
1. Red wine, coffee, tea and soda stains
2. Naturally yellowed teeth
3. Aging-related tooth darkness
4. Tobacco stains
A dentist will give an oral exam to assess the health of a patient’s mouth, and he or she will discuss various tooth whitening techniques. During the exam, the dentist will diagnose any problems that could potentially discolor a patient’s teeth.
Whitening Programs
Tooth whitening in a dentist’s office is more effective and safer than at-home treatments. A dentist will put together a treatment program that’s tailored to the patient’s needs, and may include:
1. Custom-fitted mouth trays. Over-the-counter trays don’t usually fit correctly, and can even cause jaw problems. Poorly fitted trays can leak, causing substandard results and gum irritation.
2. Gum monitoring. A dentist can change the concentration of the whitening solution to avoid discomfort.
3. Creation of a program that whitens teeth uniformly. Teeth with veneers, old fillings and crowns cannot be whitened with bleach, and a dentist will observe results with a goal of uniformity.
In-office whitening has become more popular over the past few years, and it’s becoming a routine procedure. Two dentist-sanctioned whitening methods are available: at-home or in-office treatment.
In-Office Bleaching
A whitening gel rich in hydrogen peroxide is applied, and light energy is used to initiate the whitening process. Bleaching can be completed in up to five visits, with each treatment lasting 45 minutes or longer. At-home treatments may be prescribed to accelerate results.
Professional, At-Home Whitening
Patients wear custom-made mouth trays with added whitening gel every day for several hours, or during the night. The trays’ fit can be modified to treat individual teeth, and the treatment program can last up to five weeks. Before treatment starts, up to five office visits are required to properly fit the trays.
The tooth whitening treatment a patient gets will depend on his or her lifestyle and budget. At-home professional bleaching is cheaper than in-office Teeth Whitening in Alexandria VA, and results can last up to five years. Costs vary widely by treatment type, location and the dentist’s fee schedule. Patients can click here to find out more about their options.