What is Teeth Whitening?
Bright tooth enamel makes a person look younger, healthier, and more attractive, so it’s no wonder that across the globe teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. With professional teeth whitening, patients avoid the expense of invasive cosmetic bonding or veneers to achieve whiter tooth enamel. Our professional teeth whitening produces amazing results in as little as one hour.
Why Teeth Whitening Works
Dentist-prescribed teeth whitening contains a higher concentration of active ingredients than store-bought products like toothpaste, gels, rinses, strips, and pens. The “magic” ingredient in whitening products is carbamide peroxide, which turns into hydrogen peroxide in the mouth. Safe and effective, hydrogen peroxide penetrates tooth enamel to remove stains, without harming the enamel itself.
Professional In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you have good oral hygiene and no gum disease, our in-office teeth whitening may be the ideal solution for brightening your smile. In-office teeth whitening offers the advantage of professional supervision, fewer sensitivity issues, and results that are faster and last for longer. Dr. Tom will explain the teeth whitening procedure and what to expect.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic dentistry, including whitening teeth, can improve not only your self-esteem but how others view you, as well. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) conducted a poll that found after cosmetic dental enhancements, participants appeared more attractive, intelligent, successful, and friendly. They were even thought to be more kind, interesting, sensitive, and wealthy, all based on alterations to their smiles.
A brighter smile has professional benefits you may not have considered, too. A study by Kelton Research found that over half of participating teeth whitening patients were offered a job and a higher salary than those who did not undergo whitening. Furthermore, after whitening, participants felt more confident, had a more positive attitude, and felt better about their appearance.
When Whitening Won’t Work
Chemical teeth whitening is not effective for bleaching bonding, fillings, crowns, veneers, or other prosthetics. Carbamide peroxide brightens natural tooth enamel only. If you have restorations or prosthetic teeth, they will require replacement if you want them brightened.
Many patients opt to undergo professional teeth whitening prior to having any restorations or prosthetics made. After your teeth are lightened, then we can shade-match new restorations and/or prosthetics to match the brightened enamel. Should your teeth discolor afterward, simply undergo another session of whitening to bring enamel back to the shade that matches your restorations and/or prosthetics.
Call Today for a Brighter Smile
Professional, dentist-prescribed teeth whitening will produce noticeable results in a few days. If you’d like to look younger, healthier, and more attractive, or if you plan to attend job interviews in the near future, schedule an appointment at our office in Des Plaines today.