Teeth Whitening

With help from a teeth-bleaching dentist, you can regain that beautiful smile and start showing it off again. Professional teeth whitening is very popular, and it’s a fast, effective, affordable, and simple procedure. If you’ve lost your desire to smile because you have dull and discolored teeth, then call our Bloomington dentists and schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and give you back your beautiful smile, so don’t delay in calling us.

Why Is a Professional Teeth Whitening Better Than an Over-the-Counter Kit?

The professional teeth-whitening products used in your dentist’s office are much stronger and more effective than those available in over-the-counter teeth-whitening products. Also called power bleaching, a professional teeth whitening yields more impressive results in a shorter time than at-home products. Although over-the-counter kits may lighten your teeth a few shades, it will take longer and you may experience unevenly colored teeth.

If you’ve had restorative dentistry, such as crowns and veneers, then the materials used in them will not accept the teeth-whitening substance in the same manner that your natural teeth do, so the results will likely not be satisfactory. If discoloration is due to decay or defective fillings, you achieve unacceptable results with an at-home teeth-whitening product. If your discoloration is caused by medication, teeth whitening at home may be ineffective.

When you have your teeth-whitening procedure done in a dentist’s office, the entire process is carefully monitored from start to finish. During your initial consultation, your dentist will examine your teeth to determine the best course of treatment for you. Based on the findings, your dentist will recommend the best option to give you the beautiful smile you want. If you want to schedule an appointment or have more questions about the teeth-whitening procedure, call our Bloomington dentists and let us help you.

Does Home Whitening Really Work?

An in-office teeth whitening treatment is the most effective and it’s what we recommend, but we also realize that it isn’t always an option for our patients. If you’re interested in at-home teeth whitening, we can provide a high-quality home-whitening kit that will be customized to your unique needs and situation.

We need to see you in our office so that we can determine the best teeth-whitening product for you, and to make your whitening trays. Most of our patients report that their teeth are up to six shades lighter when they use our in-home trays for an hour each day for two weeks. Call our dentists in Bloomington today to schedule your consultation and let’s get started on your beautiful, whiter teeth.

Will a Professional Teeth Whitening Be Expensive?

Your teeth-bleaching cost will be determined by the type of product you select, the number of treatments and follow-up visits you’ll require, and any additional dental work that you may need. During your initial consultation, your dentist will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the cost for your teeth-whitening procedure. For more information specific to your needs, call our office and we’ll be happy to help you.

Is There a Difference Between In-Office and At-Home Teeth-Whitening Treatments?

Professional-grade tooth whitening products are significantly stronger and more effective than those products you use at home. The over-the-counter products such as gels, rinses, strips, trays, and various types of toothpaste may yield some improvement in your tooth color, but it will take longer and won’t be as dramatic as the results you’ll receive from your dentist. If you use these products incorrectly at home, you may irritate your gums and your teeth may become unevenly colored, particularly if you’ve had restoration dentistry. A teeth whitening procedure in your dentist’s office will be carefully monitored to ensure that you receive optimal results and you’re happy with the outcome. Call our Bloomington office for more information or to schedule a consultation.

What Type of Procedure Should I Expect with a Professional Teeth Whitening?

Although specific procedures will vary according to the type of teeth whitening you receive, in general, you can expect the following steps when you have a teeth-whitening procedure in your dentist’s office.

• Your bleaching dentist will examine your teeth after they’ve been cleaned.
• We typically take photos as a before-and-after reference, and to monitor the whitening procedure.
• Your dentist will put a cheek retractor in your mouth so that the inside of your cheeks are protected and your teeth have maximum exposure.
• We’ll apply a protective liquid to your gums so that they’re not subjected to the bleaching substance.
• We’ll begin application of the whitening substance, one layer at a time. Each layer will be left on for a certain amount of time and then removed.
• We may use a special light that will enhance the effect of the whitening gel.
• After the final layer has been applied and removed, your teeth-bleaching dentist will evaluate your progress.
• You may need additional follow-up visits in our office or at-home treatment, so your dentist will advise you of this.

If you want to have a brighter, whiter smile, then be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions, so call us today and let’s get started on your sparkling teeth whitening in Bloomington.