What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
As time goes by, our teeth tend to darken and become stained, both internally and externally. Depending on your lifestyle and diet, your teeth may be one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Several key factors can contribute to the discoloration of teeth, including:
- Foods and beverages like berries and coffee
- Smoking habits
- Inadequate dental and oral hygiene
- Accidents or trauma
While we can't turn back time or take back that last sip of coffee, professional teeth whitening can be a safe and effective way to help whiten and brighten your smile.
Opalescence Teeth Whitening
Our dental office proudly offers the Opalescence teeth whitening system to power your aesthetic transformation.
Opalescence whitening gels use powerful stain-fighting agents, specifically carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These peroxide gels work by breaking down into water, oxygen, and reactive oxygen molecules.
As the peroxide breaks down, the reactive oxygen molecules penetrate the tooth enamel and specifically target discoloured stain molecules. Through a process called oxidation, these molecules break the bonds of the stains, effectively altering their composition and resulting in a visibly lighter appearance of your teeth.
Request a consultation with our dentist to discuss how we can help brighten your smile with our professional teeth-whitening treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Downtown Chilliwack Dental.
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How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
It's important to note that whitening is not permanent. Beverages such as coffee and wine and certain foods, such as those with berries, can stain the teeth. Depending on diet, the effects of whitening may last longer for some people than others.
If you minimize your intake of food and beverages that stain and maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine and regular professional hygiene visits, you may desire a touch-up after one year or so.
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Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of teeth whitening, but each policy is different.
For more information, review your policy or contact the company that manages your dental insurance. Our dental receptionists are happy to discuss your financial options with you and can send estimates to your insurance company for a streamlined process.
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Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
While uncommon, tooth and gum sensitivity can occur briefly after treatment.
Using toothpaste specially designed for sensitivity for a couple of weeks after treatment can help improve your symptoms.
To help protect the gums from sensitivity or blanching during the whitening process, a light-cured liquid rubber dam is applied to the upper and lower gums at the front of the mouth. This helps to provide a barrier to protect your soft tissues while using the gel. Usually, any sensitivity that does occur will be from bleaching gel oozing out of the tray. Rinsing with water after the session will remove this from the mouth.
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Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
Typically, brown, and yellow-coloured stains respond best to teeth whitening treatments. Some stains tend not to respond to whitening treatments at all.
If having a whiter smile is important to you but your teeth have non-responsive stains, your dentist may recommend other cosmetic treatments, such as dental veneers, that may be a better fit for you.
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Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth and will not work on existing dental restorations, such as fillings, crowns or veneers. If dental crowns or veneers are part of your treatment plan, teeth whitening should take place before you receive your dental restorations.
That said, dental restorations can stain over time depending on a patient's habits, such as smoking, eating, and drinking. If the porcelain crowns or veneers have been stained, the bleaching process may help remove the accumulated stains.
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Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
When used under the supervision of a qualified dentist, teeth whitening is very unlikely to damage your dental enamel. Always consult with your dentist to ensure you are using teeth whitening products safely. If you experience any pain, sensitivity, or discomfort anywhere in your mouth, let your dentist know right away. Even if it’s not related to whitening, they will be able to help.
We generally use a gel at a pH of 6.5, which is virtually neutral. In addition, Xylitol is added to increase saliva flow and mineralize the enamel during the whitening process, which can help reduce sensitivity. Potassium nitrate is also added to help reduce potential sensitivity and is an additional oxidizing agent.
