Teeth Whitening – Lakewood, CO
Creating a Brighter, More Confident Smile
How can you make a dull or stained smile more dazzling? Picking up an over-the-counter whitening kit at the nearest store may seem like a quick fix, but it likely won’t deliver the results you want. Luckily, Dr. Emanuel has the reliable cosmetic dentistry solution you’ve been looking for. The in-office and take-home whitening options that we offer can often leave your teeth looking several shades whiter! To learn more about professional whitening, call us today.
Why Choose Carole Emanuel, DDS for Teeth Whitening?
- Reliable In-Office Whitening Options
- Professional-Grade Take-Home Whitening Kits
- Dentist with Decades of Experience
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
As long as your mouth is currently healthy, there’s a good chance that you can have professional teeth whitening performed. The treatment works on a variety of extrinsic stains (which are located on the surface of the enamel) and intrinsic stains (which occur below the enamel). However, to be completely sure that you’re a viable candidate for teeth whitening, we’ll need to closely examine your mouth and ask about your goals for the procedure.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
The specifics of the teeth whitening process depend on whether you decide to undergo an in-office whitening treatment or get a take-home whitening kit. When you visit our office, we can help you explore the available whitening options and help you pick the one that best fits your needs. We can also explain the benefits of the specific brands of whitening we use, which include Opalescence™ Boost™ and BIOLASE® laser whitening.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home whitening kits can deliver dazzling results in about two weeks. The secret to their success lies in the professional-grade whitening gel they come with. Every day, you’ll wear special trays filled with said gel over your teeth. Over time, the ingredients in the gel will gradually break up the molecules that make up your dental stains.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
An in-office Opalescence™ Boost™ whitening treatment can dramatically brighten your smile in about an hour thanks to a chemically activated whitening gel. Alternatively, we also offer BIOLASE® laser whitening, which speeds up the whitening process by activating the bleaching gel with a laser.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
To help the results of teeth whitening last longer, it’s recommended that you make a few changes to your diet. Of note, you should make an effort to minimize your exposure to beverages that are notorious for staining teeth, such as coffee and red wine. Additionally, it can also help to keep your teeth as clean as possible via regular brushing and flossing. Finally, don’t forget to visit our office at least twice a year for routine cleanings, and be sure to ask about having touchups performed to keep your smile looking bright.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Thankfully, teeth whitening treatment doesn’t harm healthy enamel. Its bleaching gel shouldn’t weaken an already-strong smile.
Indeed, “pro” teeth whitening uses vetted materials. Dentists only rely on whiteners proven to be safe, ensuring you get truly effective treatment results. They also tailor the amount of bleaching gel you receive to prevent adverse reactions.
The only exception to this rule is an unhealthy smile. When teeth are affected by decay or gum disease, applying bleaching gel to them could lead to pain, tooth sensitivity, and so on. Dentists thus perform a thorough oral exam before treatment to see if your grin can handle it.
Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Almost anyone can get teeth whitening, as long as they have a decently healthy smile. (Patients with pre-existing oral issues should get other treatments first.) That said, some people are better candidates for it than others.
The ideal whitening candidate is someone with a moderately discolored grin. In particular, they’ll suffer from extrinsic tooth stains – marks left by foods, drinks, and other outside sources. Treatment uses a bleaching gel that can remove this discoloration from enamel.
Of course, the best way to confirm your candidacy is to consult Dr. Emanuel. She can check your teeth to see if they’d benefit from the whitening process.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Sadly, teeth whitening doesn’t “work” on dental crowns. The caps have a design that keeps them from being whitened like natural tooth enamel.
You see, modern teeth whitening relies on bleaching gel. This material seeps into your enamel’s pores to remove its stains, resulting in a smile that’s six to eight shades brighter. A dental crown lacks such pores, so a bleaching gel wouldn’t affect its color; treatment would just whiten the surrounding teeth.
With all that said, there are workarounds for this situation. You can keep crowns from staining in the first place with good oral habits (i.e., not smoking, limiting dark-colored drinks, etc.). There’s also the option of getting teeth whitening before crown treatment, so your final cap will match your smile.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Worth the Cost?
Without a doubt, professional teeth whitening is well worth its cost. Patients who’ve had their smiles’ stains treated can attest to that fact!
Note that “pro” teeth whitening comes with many practical benefits. Compared to store-bought methods, it’s safer, less invasive, and unlikely to cause tooth sensitivity. Professional treatment also provides better results, as DIY whitening kits don’t work well and damage your smile.
At the same time, “pro” teeth whitening comes with priceless perks. The brightened smile it offers should give you a boost of confidence, helping you feel more self-assured. Treatment results will also make you seem young and vibrant, leading to better first impressions.