Teeth whitening in Bradenton

What Are the Advantages of In-Office Teeth Whitening?

Professional teeth whitening treatments are a popular cosmetic treatment that can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth. Our safe and effective bleaching gel is highly concentrated and works by removing discoloration, stains, and yellowing from your tooth enamel, revealing whiter, brighter teeth.

If your teeth have discoloration or stains from smoking or long-term consumption of certain drinks (soda, red wine, tea, coffee), you're considered a prime candidate for professional whitening. Although most people are candidates for professional whitening, there are some types of discoloration that are more resistant to whitening treatment. This includes stains caused by overexposure to fluoride, advanced tooth decay, and long-term consumption of tetracycline. In addition, most types of dental restorations will not respond to professional whitening treatment, including dental bridges, fillings, veneers, and crowns.

After performing a thorough examination of your mouth, our dentists will work with you to develop a custom teeth whitening plan that best meets your needs and helps you achieve the brighter smile you've always wanted. Call us today to make your appointment.

How to Do Teeth Whitening at Home

If you want to whiten your smile but can't fit an in-office whitening treatment into your busy schedule, you might be interested in our at-home teeth whitening kits. If you choose this option, we'll take impressions of your teeth to fabricate custom-fit whitening trays that fit perfectly over each tooth. The trays are clear and made of plastic that's very similar to a mouth guard. You'll add our professional-strength whitening gel to the tray and wear it for about an hour every day. Within two weeks of beginning treatment, it's possible to lighten your teeth up to six shades.

What Is the Price of Teeth Whitening?

Choosing between an in-office whitening treatment or a take-home whitening kit is one of the main factors in determining the cost of teeth whitening. Most patients typically pay less for take-home whitening kits in comparison to an in-office treatment, but there are other factors that can influence your total cost. Examples include the number of whitening treatments needed, if any follow-up treatments are required, and the severity of tooth discoloration.

Most dental insurance companies will not offer coverage for professional whitening because it's considered a cosmetic treatment. To learn more about teeth bleaching cost, get in touch with us to schedule a consultation. When you come in for your appointment, your dentist will give you an estimate of your teeth whitening cost.

Professional vs. DIY Teeth Whitening: What's the Difference?

With so many do-it-yourself teeth whitening products available, such as toothpaste, rinses, and whitening strips, you might think that you can achieve professional-grade results just by visiting your local drugstore. While these products may provide a slight improvement in the color of your teeth, they're not as strong or as effective as professional whitening treatment. They can also cause side effects like gum irritation, damage to your tooth enamel, and uneven results. Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, in-office whitening is performed by a teeth bleaching dentist, ensuring your treatment is safe and pain-free. In addition, professional whitening gel is more powerful and provides faster, more reliable results.

What Are the Steps For Teeth Whitening?

The procedure involved for an in-office teeth whitening treatment can vary and is based on the whitening system used by your dentist. The average length of time for an in-office treatment is about an hour. Keep reading to learn more about what's involved in a standard teeth whitening treatment:

1. Before your teeth are whitened, they are examined by your dentist and cleaned by a dental hygienist.
2. To document the current shade of your teeth and help evaluate your progress after treatment, photos of your teeth may be taken.
3. Your dentist places a cheek retractor into your mouth so all visible teeth are exposed.
4. To prevent contact with the whitening gel, a protective liquid is placed on your gums.
5. The whitening gel is applied to your teeth next. Several coatings of whitening gel may be applied and left on your teeth for a predetermined amount of time.
6. To enhance your results, a special light may be used to activate the gel.
7. Between applications of the bleaching gel, your dentist will monitor your progress and determine if more gel needs to be applied to achieve your desired results.
8. Once you've received the last application of bleaching gel, your teeth are rinsed and the cheek retractor is removed. Finally, your dentist will examine the color changes in your teeth and determine if you would benefit from a follow-up visit or an at-home treatment.

We can help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile. To learn more about teeth whitening in Bradenton, get in touch with us to make an appointment.