Teeth Whitening – Aurora, IL
Eliminating Stains, Brightening Smiles
Teeth whitening from our Buda, TX cosmetic dentist , also called teeth bleaching, is the process of lightening the enamel using a gel designed to penetrate the outer surface to get to deeper stains and discoloration. These professional systems can be applied through in-office treatments and custom-fit take-home trays. The result is often a whiter, brighter smile that can be trusted to last for several months.
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Ridding your smile of stains and discoloration caused by drinking dark-colored beverages, smoking, or taking certain medications requires the help of a trusted professional. While store-bought options may remove some surface stains, the products used by licensed dentists are much more reliable.
To be considered a candidate for professional teeth whitening, you must have visible extrinsic or intrinsic stains. A complete examination of your teeth will be conducted during your consultation; however, we will also recommend additional treatment if we find signs of dental decay or gum disease. Treating these issues first is necessary to avoid problems in the future.
Whether we require further treatment before moving forward with teeth whitening or not, you can expect that we’ll also offer a cost estimate for treatment, complete with information about any special deals we may be offering.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Each dentist’s office is different with regard to the types of professional teeth whitening offered. At Grand Dental – Aurora, we offer take-home whitening kits; however, in this section, we can explain how both in-office and take-home solutions work.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Our Opalescence take-home whitening kits consist of custom-made trays that are built using impressions taken of your teeth. When combined with high-grade bleaching gel, you will be required to wear your trays for a certain amount of time each day. With regular application, you can expect to see a whiter smile in two weeks.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Dentists who provide in-office teeth whitening often apply bleaching agents directly to the tooth enamel, and some use ultraviolet light to activate the solution that targets stains and discoloration. In most cases, these procedures are completed in about one hour.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Keeping your teeth looking their best requires staying on top of your maintenance routine. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, so you will need to take steps to avoid further staining in the future. You can do this by:
- Limiting your exposure to dark-colored foods and beverages
- Giving up smoking or the use of tobacco products
- Minimizing your alcohol consumption
- Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine
- Keeping your six-month checkups and teeth cleanings
- Not using your teeth as tools, as damage can cause discoloration of the dentin layer to show through