What to Look for in a Professional Teeth Whitening Dentist?
To achieve whiter teeth, many have resorted to professional teeth whitening treatments. Did you know that in the US alone, an estimate of 45 million Americans1 have undergone Professional Teeth Whitening? These staggering numbers prove that many recognize the importance of a beautifully radiant smile.
Professional teeth whitening can be through dentist-prescribed take home teeth whitening kits with customized trays or In-Office dentist supervised treatment. So how do you choose between these tooth whitening treatments? It all starts with a good professional teeth whitening dentist.
Read along to find out what to look for in a professional teeth whitening dentist along with anything and everything you should know about Teeth Whitening─ including the process and its cost!
The Professional Teeth Whitening Advantage
For the perfect white smiles, around 37 million Americans2 have tried over-the-counter teeth bleaching products. However, many of these do not work on heavy stains. Also for maximum efficiency, they will need to be done multiple times. And even at that, the effects wear off in a few weeks.
So if you want a more potent treatment with lasting results, opt for dentist prescribed take home teeth whitening kits or dentist supervised in office teeth whitening.
Ultimately, these are the best ways to have your teeth whitened. And there are many reasons why, such as:
Bespoke, dentist-recommended teeth whitening solutions
Before the treatment itself, you will first have a consultation with your dentist, and then they will recommend a treatment plan tailored to you that will help maximize the bleaching effects. To address your individual needs, a personalized plan will be created by your dentist. Such that some patients will need teeth cleaning or mouth rehabilitation prior to teeth whitening.
Safe and comfortable whitening experience
Professional teeth whitening uses carbamide or hydrogen peroxide at high concentrations of 35%. This is quite strong and can be harmful if not handled correctly. This is where a professional teeth whitening dentist comes in. Their experience and knowledge will help keep the procedure safe and your overall experience pleasant.
Stronger and more thorough teeth bleaching
The high concentration of whitening gel guarantees impressive results which you cannot achieve with over-the-counter whiteners. This is especially with in-office teeth whitening (such as: zoom teeth whitening) that use heat and light to intensify the treatment, achieving up to 8 shades of whiter smile.
Fast and long-lasting results
Immediate and efficient. This is the professional teeth whitening treatment guarantee. With results in just an hour for in-office teeth whitening, there is no better and faster way to brighten your smile than with your professional dentist!
Boost in confidence
A smile has the power to completely change the way you look and improve your confidence. With teeth whitening done by your dentist, there is no reason to be afraid to smile or speak!
Improves the general health and quality of life
Research shows there is a synergistic relationship between oral health and overall wellness3. So with healthy teeth and mouth, you can expect your body to remain healthy as well.
But of course, you can only achieve these positive effects of professional teeth whitening with the right dentist. So how do you look for the best teeth whitening dentist for you?
What to Look for in a Professional Teeth Whitening Dentist?
- Commendable patient and peer feedback - an excellent measure of patient approach and if a desirable outcome is always achieved
- Comprehensive in-clinic treatments - so they can provide you with holistic dental care that addresses your dental needs and improves your oral health and smile
- Recognized certification - for validation of expertise in dentistry and teeth whitening which assures you of a safe and effective treatment
- Treatment proofs - usually available in most professional teeth whitening dentist websites, this should display before and after procedures to help you get an idea of what to expect
- Availability of whitening options - there are many pros and cons to at home professional whitening and in office whitening. With a dentist that knows and offers both, you can explore your choices to determine which best suits your lifestyle and budget
Not all tooth discoloration and stain can be completely removed by professional teeth whitening. Also note, if you have dental implants, dental crowns, fillings, or any other dental work, whitening only works on natural teeth. This is why it is best to go to a professional and have a consultation, so you can know beforehand if the treatment will work for you. Otherwise, you would have spent valuable time and money on an inefficient treatment.
The right dentist for teeth whitening will go above and beyond your expectations for your life changing smile. With our handy guide, make extensive research about teeth whitening dentists near you to guarantee that you are in the best hands.
What To Do Before Teeth Whitening
Because your dentist will facilitate the teeth whitening procedure, they will be able to explain the necessary steps that will guarantee the success of the treatment.
- Visit your dentist for a dental check-up
If you haven't been to your dentist in 6 months or more, then make sure to schedule a dental check-up and clean before getting your teeth whitened. They need to check for any decay, fillings, and other dental issues that will need to be addressed before any tooth whitening treatment.
- Undergo professional teeth cleaning
This will remove all plaque, tartar, and surface stains to help the bleaching gel stick on the teeth for maximum teeth whitening effect.
- Practice good oral hygiene
Good oral health prevents the build-up of plaque which can affect the results of the teeth whitening procedure.
- Use teeth whitening sensitivity therapies
Some patients have sensitive teeth which can be aggravated with teeth whitening treatments. If this is your case, consult with your dentist for a desensitizing toothpaste or have your dentist apply fluoride varnish on your teeth to remineralize enamel4 and prevent tooth sensitivity
- Eat before the procedure
Several dietary restrictions are in place immediately after teeth whitening and this is to avoid the staining of the teeth. You can return to a normal diet after 48 hours5.
At Home Professional Teeth Whitening
An at home teeth whitening treatment is basically a whitening kit that includes a potent bleaching gel and customized teeth trays that are made by your dentist. How it starts is your dentist will take your dental impression so they can make a tooth mold to create your custom whitening trays.
Then, you go home, dispense some bleaching gel on the tray, and then slot it in your teeth for about an hour. You are to do this every night for 2 weeks or until you reach your desired results. Easy, right?
After 2 weeks, you are to return to your dentist for a progress check.
Pros, Cons, and Cost of At Home Whitening
We know the process sounds like your basic over-the-counter bleaching treatments, but this one is more effective, efficient, and the trays are customized to fit your teeth perfectly so it feels more comfortable in your mouth. And because of the dentist prescription, this is definitely safer than regular whiteners.
Many patients enjoy this treatment because everything is done in the convenience of their home. It also offers a slow, steady, and natural process of whitening which patients can easily control. Also, they come at a steal price with all the goodness it offers. The average teeth whitening cost for at home teeth whiteners is $100 - $400.
Meanwhile, some of the disadvantages of take home teeth whitening are:
- Slow process - if you want immediate results, this isn't for you. Some patients will even need top ups after the regular 2 week period to further whiten their teeth
- Not as efficient with heavy stains - retreatment may be needed to completely remove stubborn stains, and this will come at an additional cost
- High maintenance - future redos are necessary to maintain the smile because the effects do not last too long
In-Office Teeth Whitening
As the name implies, this teeth whitening treatment is done in the dental clinic. At the initial consultation, your dentist will understand your goals of treatment where they will show you a shade guide to determine how white you want your teeth to be.
Then, a whitening agent will be applied on your gums and lips to avoid irritation. The process will use heat and light and this, coupled with acidic 35% hydrogen peroxide6 bleaching gel, may cause harm to the soft tissues if not protected.
Afterwards, the whitening agent will be painted on the teeth in small increments. It will be directly exposed in laser light to intensify the results and quicken the treatment. And in just an hour, your treatment is done and your radiant smile is ready for flaunting!
This is power whitening at its best and is performed safely by a professional teeth whitening dentist.
Pros, Cons, and Cost of In-Office Teeth Whitening
As the gold standard for teeth whitening, nothing comes close to the fast and dramatic results that in-office teeth whitening can offer. It is completed in just an hour so you can enter the dental clinic, take an hour off your day, and come out with dreamy pearly whites.
And with the use of heat and light, the results are as magnetic as can be. Some in office teeth whiteners even guarantee up to 8 shades lighter teeth! So those stubborn and heavy stains, they are all no match for this highly effective treatment.
On the other side of the coin, patients shy away from in office teeth whitening because of a few things such as:
- Cost - most expensive teeth whitening option with an average cost of $450 - $600
- Teeth Sensitivity - a usual problem for this treatment; consult with your dentist for sensitivity therapies before your treatment
- Unnatural Look - because of the striking change of your teeth before and after whitening, some people find that it looks less natural
How Can I Maintain White Teeth?
At most, in office teeth whitening can last a few months up to 3 years7 depending on how you take care of it. To prolong the results of your teeth whitening, it is best to do in office teeth whitening first to really achieve whitening to its fullest potential. Then, combine it with take home teeth whitening8 to further the lifespan and maintain the beauty of your smile.
Of course, partaking in staining food and drinks and smoking will affect your smile and this can greatly reduce the whitening effect. So it is best to avoid these to take advantage of the cosmetic benefits of professional teeth whitening.
It is also good to practice healthy oral hygiene routines to prevent yellowish plaque build-up.
The Bottomline: The Best Dentist for Professional Teeth Whitening
Most patients believe that professional teeth whitening is just that─ to achieve whiter teeth. What they do not know is there is so much more to it.
A professional teeth whitening dentist would know how to begin the treatment to optimize the results. They will conduct a proper dental check-up to identify and treat decay, cavities, infection, and faulty fillings. After all, teeth whitening will not give predictable results if you have untreated dental problems. Only when your oral health is in tiptop condition will your dentist proceed to take it up a notch and enhance the beauty of your smile.
Then, after understanding your goals, they will recommend the best teeth whitening option for you. Keep in mind that some stains are only removed with a specific type of teeth whitening. And, with a step-by-step, guided procedure, you are guaranteed of a safe process with an end result that meets your expectations.
Visit the right dentist for teeth whitening today and enjoy the professional teeth whitening advantage!
References:
1https://www.raconteur.net/healthcare/dental-health/lure-of-the-all-american-white-smile/
2https://www.statista.com/statistics/287384/usage-of-tooth-whiteners-in-the-us-trend/
3https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6290526/
4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15724762/
7https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15202756/
8https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15202756/
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