Tooth Whitening
If you have ever caught yourself admiring someone’s smile and wondering why their teeth look so great, or if you find yourself trying to hide your own smile due to embarrassment over the color of your teeth, tooth whitening may be just the thing for you.
What is it?
Tooth whitening is a non-invasive procedure that we at Prins Dental can perform relatively quickly and easily. The results are usually apparent in a very short amount of time, and the procedure is much more cost-effective than other approaches such as veneers.
Tooth whitening typically requires two visits to our office. On the first visit, we will take an impression of your teeth. This will allow us to use a dental laboratory to craft a custom-designed tray for you to use during your whitening treatments.
When you come back for your second visit we will have you try the tray on to ensure that it fits comfortably in your mouth. You will be spending a significant amount of time wearing it, and we want to be sure that the fit is proper.
We will send you home with your new trays as well as with a specially-formulated whitening solution. Simply put the solution in the trays and wear them for an hour per day. After four days you will have a new, whiter smile!
What can I expect during this process?
First of all, you should notice a difference very quickly. Some patients are even able to see a difference after only one or two treatments.
Second, you may experience some sensitivity or discomfort of the teeth and/or gums during the process. This does not occur in every patient, and the degree of the sensitivity varies from person to person as well. The good news is that this is completely harmless, and the sensitivity is temporary as well. It should go away within a short time after you complete your treatment.
Also, be aware that the solution does not work on artificial dental constructs such as crowns or fillings. If you have had extensive dental work done on your smiling surfaces you may want to talk with us about other alternatives such as veneers.
Is this permanent?
This is a tricky question to answer. In one sense it is permanent because it actually changes the color of your teeth rather than temporarily coloring them. On the other hand, during the course of your daily activities, your teeth are exposed to many things leading to discoloration. Certain foods will quickly stain your teeth, as will drinking coffee, wine, or tea. Smoking will also lead to discoloration.
For this reason, we suggest that you have a touch up done on an annual basis, or whenever you notice that the color of your teeth is becoming something other than what you desire.
If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth and want to try something new, give us a call today at (541) 773-5441 or come see us and ask about tooth whitening. You’ll be happy with the results. |
