Are you looking to reinvigorate your smile tainted by discolouration? Look no further; Beverly Hills cosmetic, implant, and general dentistry can help you restore the integrity of your smile in approximately 30 minutes to an hour. It is the quickest and safest way to whiten your teeth and the preferred method for individuals who want dramatic results. Although you can easily brighten your teeth using at-home whiteners, you may not get the level of whitening you desire. Here is more about professional teeth whitening.

What is tooth whitening?

It is a procedure that involves bleaching your teeth to make them several shades brighter than before. You may consider whitening your teeth if they have developed a yellow tint over time due to beverages such as coffee and tea. Teeth may also naturally become yellowish as you grow older because the enamel usually wears out, exposing the yellow colour of the dentin. It is essential to note that tooth whitening does not offer permanent results.

Who is a good candidate for tooth whitening?

The procedure is generally safe, but not everyone is eligible for tooth whitening. For this reason, you need to consult with your specialist to establish whether you are a good candidate or not. Your dentist may advise against teeth whitening if you have tooth and gum hypersensitivity since hydrogen peroxide can worsen this problem. If your teeth have become transparent with age or little enamel, you may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening. Issues such as gum disease, tooth decay, and cracks require treatment before the procedure

Some stains respond well to teeth whitening, while others resist whitening products. For example, dark stains resulting from trauma may not fade away after treatment. For this reason, specialists recommend teeth whitening for individuals with yellow colours. Other types of stains resistant to in-office whitening include those caused by tetracycline antibiotics or overexposure to fluoride.

What to expect during the procedure

The dentist will first prepare your teeth by clearing away plaque and debris on the surface and between your teeth. Your specialist may take photos of your teeth to measure their colour on a shade guide. These photos can also help you and the dentist review or track your progress. The specific details of the procedure may vary, but below is a fair standard routine that most dentists follow.

• Your dentist places a cheek retractor in your mouth to expose all the teeth that are visible when you smile.
• Your healthcare provider uses a liquid rubber dam to protect the gum tissue against the bleaching gel to avoid irritation.
• Next, the dentist applies a bleaching gel with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide to the teeth and leaves it for approximately 15 to 30 minutes. The dentist may wash off the gel and apply a fresh product for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Your dentist may use laser light to activate or enhance the bleaching process, but opinions vary as to whether laser light improved the outcomes.

Teeth whitening is painless, and the risks of complications are rare when working with a professional. If you need to brighten your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist at Sean S Pierce, DDS, for teeth whitening.