Teeth Whitening in Houston

Why Professional Teeth Whitening Is the Best Choice

Pursuing whitening treatments done by a teeth bleaching dentist ensures that the treatment is conducted under the exact conditions necessary to get your teeth to lighten to the precise shade you want them. Teeth whitening treatments done by your dentist area is also known as chair-side whitening or power bleaching. Since the bleach gel used in the treatment process is highly concentrated, you’ll be able to achieve dramatic results in a short period of time. This type of treatment is commonly used to lighten teeth that have become discolored or stained from smoking or eating and drinking certain foods and beverages.

It's important to understand that there are some types of tooth discoloration that can’t be addressed via teeth whitening treatments. These include teeth that are stained due to structural issues caused by decay or injury, as well as teeth that are stained from tetracycline. Crowns, fillings, and veneers are also unable to be bleached, as these materials will remain the same color.

Your dentist will want to thoroughly examine your teeth, mouth and gums before prescribing any type of whitening treatment. This will allow him or her to diagnose the exact cause of any discoloration or staining that you have so that an effective treatment plan can be developed. Once your examination has taken place, you will work together with your dentist to achieve the brighter smile you’ve been dreaming of.

Whitening Your Teeth at Home

It’s possible to pursue teeth whitening at home with a professional whitening kit that you can receive from your dentist. Your dentist will need to make a mold of your teeth so that customized trays containing professional-grade whitening gel can be created. After wearing the teeth whitening trays for an hour a day for approximately two weeks, you will notice that your teeth are up to six shades lighter than they were before you began the treatment.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

The cost of teeth whitening depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors are the type of treatment you utilize, how many treatments you need to have to achieve your desired results, whether or not you need follow-up or at-home treatments, and if your dentist needs to make repairs to prior restoration work. If you’d like to know more about the overall cost of having your teeth whitened, contact our team to book a consultation. Once a teeth bleaching dentist has examined your teeth, we will be able to give you an estimate of your teeth bleaching cost.

Professional Whitening vs. DIY Teeth Whitening Products

It’s more effective to see a dentist for teeth whitening treatments than it is to purchase over-the-counter products. The treatments that your dentist uses are stronger, which means that they provide reliable results quickly. Do-it-yourself products such as strips, trays, gels, toothpastes, and rinses can provide you with a slight lightening result, but the results can be rather inconsistent. In addition to this, if they aren’t used correctly, they can cause gum irritation.

What Happens During a Teeth Whitening Procedure?

You may be wondering what happens when you see your dentist for a teeth whitening procedure. The exact process will differ depending on the treatment your dentist is using. The below steps will give you a good idea of what you can expect.

1. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth. The teeth will then be cleaned.
2. Pictures of your teeth may be taken. This allows your dentist to find the exact shade of your teeth. It also assists in monitoring your progress throughout the treatment process.
3. A cheek retractor will be placed into your mouth so that all of your teeth are exposed.
4. Your dentist will place a protective liquid onto your gums so that they aren’t affected by the whitening treatment.
5. Multiple coats of bleaching gel will be applied to the surface of your teeth. Each coat will be left in place for a specific period of time before being completely removed.
6. Some types of whitening treatments utilize intense light to enhance your overall results.
7. Once the final gel application has taken place, your dentist will determine if you need to have follow-up whitening treatments in the office or at home.

To schedule an appointment to discuss teeth whitening in Houston with one of our dentists, give us a call as soon as possible.