Teeth Whitening in Munster

Reclaim Your Smile With Professional Teeth Whitening

Also called power bleaching or chair-side whitening, teeth whitening is performed under controlled conditions to ensure your safety and comfort as well as reliable, intense results. During a professional bleaching session, a highly concentrated bleaching gel is used to lift stains typically caused by foods, beverages or smoking habits. Some discolorations aren’t removed by teeth whitening procedures; these include tetracycline-related stains and dark areas caused by defective fillings or tooth decay. If you have crowns, veneers or other restorations, these will remain their original color while your natural tooth surfaces become lighter. To prevent uneven or unexpected results, our dentists perform a thorough evaluation of your tooth discoloration prior to developing your treatment plan.

Teeth Whitening at Home: A Convenient Alternative

Home teeth whitening is an alternative to in-office procedures. For this option, your dentist makes impressions of your teeth so that custom teeth whitening trays can be crafted. You’ll fill the trays with a professional-grade teeth whitening gel at home and wear them for about one hour each day. Treatment generally takes about two weeks and can lighten your teeth up to six shades.

Teeth Whitening Cost: What to Expect

Your total teeth bleaching cost depends on many factors such as the type of teeth whitening system your dentist uses, the number of treatments you need and the cost of procedures to match or alter restoration materials. To learn more about the cost of teeth whitening, contact our office.

Non-Professional Teeth Whitening Products

Many do-it-yourself teeth whitening systems are available at your local drug store including dental whitening trays, strips, gels and pens. Although they may lighten tooth color slightly, these products can’t provide the same consistent, safe and dramatic results as professional teeth whitening. Trusting your dentist ensures that you won’t have gum damage or end up with uneven or multicolored results.

Understanding the Teeth Whitening Procedure

The teeth whitening procedure involves several steps that vary based on the type of whitening system your dentist uses. A typical procedure starts with a comprehensive exam and a professional cleaning to remove plaque. Your dentist may take pictures of your teeth to monitor their color during and after the whitening process. When it’s time to begin, a cheek retractor will be placed in your mouth to expose your teeth. Your dentist will paint your gums with a protective shield to prevent irritation from the bleaching gel. Several coats of gel may be required to obtain the best results. You may be asked to rinse in between applications. Some whitening systems also use a special light to enhance results. Once your treatments are finished, your dentist will evaluate the results and determine if follow-up treatment or at-home maintenance is required.

To learn more about teeth whitening in Munster, contact us today. Our skilled dentists can help you regain the confidence that comes with having a bright, beautiful smile.