Do you want to undergo teeth whitening to improve the appearance of your smile? Do you know which teeth whitening options are best for you?
The most common cosmetic dental treatment is professional, in-office teeth whitening. Compared to home-whitening kits that use less-potent bleaching agents, in-office whitening is powerful, safe and painless. Your dentist or technician will use considerably high doses of bleaching gel that produce immediately apparent results.
What teeth whitening entails
You can have teeth whitening treatment at home or in the dental office. When done in the office, the dentist will first take pictures of your teeth. Doing this will allow easy monitoring of the treatment's progress.
If you are whitening at home, the dentist will provide dental trays that fit your mouth snugly to take home. The trays contain a whitening gel that removes stains from the teeth. You will need to apply the gel daily for two or three weeks. You can also get over-the-counter teeth whitening options to use at home.
With plenty of choices available, it is easy to get confused and indecisive. Fortunately, making a decision is not tough if you consult your dentist for the most suitable solution.
Other teeth whitening options include:
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are typically used when bleaching could damage the teeth. Moreover, some stains cannot be removed by bleach. The dentist will bond the veneer to the surface of the teeth to hide any blemish. Porcelain veneers can be expensive, so be sure to ask your dentist about the cost.
Although the placement procedure is not painful, some people have complained about tooth sensitivity or pain soon after the treatment. Since the veneers are customized for each patient, the process may take up to a week. After placement, however, veneers can last up to 20 years.
Bleaching
Bleaching entails applying a gel-like mix on the teeth. The dentist will use a light or laser to activate the gel. The procedure is rarely painful, although you will have to lie still for some time. It can be uncomfortable to have a lip and tongue retractor resting in your mouth.
The procedure usually lasts about an hour, and the results are phenomenal if you maintain proper oral hygiene.
Dental strips
Dental strips contain a whitening agent that rests on your teeth. They are appropriate for people with minor stains and healthy tooth enamel. Comfort with this option depends on the size of your teeth. If the strips are too large, they can cause gum irritation.
The results depend on the potency of the whitening agent. You should wear dental strips for about 5 to 30 minutes at a time, but you may need to wait for about one or two weeks before seeing any results.
Whitening pastes
There are toothpastes with whitening accelerators, such as silica and polyphosphates, for cleaning blemishes off the teeth. The effect of the toothpaste is milder on the teeth than dental strips. Most importantly, it is not messy. You should generally start to see the results within a week if used as directed.
Request an appointment here: https://pier210dental.com or call Pier 210 Dental Group at (530) 885-5696 for an appointment in our Auburn office.
