Teeth whitening in Florida

In-Office Teeth Whitening Overview

This simple cosmetic dentistry treatment, or professional teeth whitening treatment, has the ability to enhance the beauty of your smile by removing stains from your teeth. The whitening gel our dentists use is powerful and entirely safe. It works by lightening the appearance of yellowing, discoloration, and stains on your tooth enamel.

If you have tooth stains and discoloration caused by tobacco use or consumption of certain drinks, including coffee, tea, soda, and red wine, you’re likely a good candidate for teeth whitening treatments. While professional whitening works very well to remove most types of stains and discoloration, there are some types of stains that don’t respond well to treatment. These types of stains include overexposure to fluoride, long-term use of tetracycline, and advanced tooth decay. Most noteworthy, dental restorations, such as fillings, bridges, crowns, and veneers, aren’t vulnerable to bleaching gel and can’t be whitened.

It’s important to know that teeth whitening isn’t permanent, so our dentists recommend touch-up treatments as needed. A follow-up treatment in our office or an at-home treatment may be all that you need to maintain your results. To determine the underlying cause of your tooth discoloration, our dentists will perform a thorough examination of your mouth and suggest the appropriate treatment. Schedule your appointment today.

What Is Teeth Whitening at Home?

If you’d like to achieve professional whitening results in the comfort of your own home, you may be interested in our take-home teeth whitening kits. If you choose this option, we’ll take an impression of your mouth to design a whitening tray that’s custom-made for the unique shape of your mouth. The trays look very similar to a mouth guard and are made of a clear plastic that fits securely over your teeth. You’ll place a small amount of our professional-grade bleaching gel into the whitening trays and wear them for about an hour every day. When worn daily for two weeks, you can achieve a whiter smile that’s up to six shades lighter.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

Your teeth whitening costs can vary depending on the whitening treatment you receive. For example, an in-office whitening treatment typically costs more than a take-home whitening kit. There are also other factors that can affect how much you pay for teeth whitening, such as the severity of your tooth discoloration, how many treatments you need to achieve your desired level of whitening, and if you need any follow-up visits.

Professional whitening treatments are considered a cosmetic procedure and are usually not covered by insurance. To learn more about your teeth bleaching cost, we encourage you to call our office and make an appointment. During your examination, your dentist can provide a cost estimate.

What Is the Difference Between Professional vs. DIY Teeth Whitening?

Many people think that over-the-counter teeth whitening products offer the same results as a professional treatment, but you might be surprised to learn that in-office treatments have some big advantages. While you might see a small improvement from a rinse, toothpaste, or whitening strip purchased over-the-counter, they don’t have the same strength and consistency that a professional treatment can provide. There’s also the risk of gum irritation or tooth sensitivity when used incorrectly. Receiving treatment from a teeth bleaching dentist eliminates these types of problems since professional whitening gel is much stronger, more reliable, and performed under supervised conditions.

The Teeth Whitening Procedure

The exact steps for an in-office teeth whitening procedure can vary based on the formulation used by your dentist. Most in-office whitening treatments take about an hour. Take a look at the steps for a typical teeth whitening treatment:

1. You will have your teeth examined. They will also be prepared for treatment with a professional cleaning.
2. Photos of your current shade of tooth color are taken. This will help your dentist to assess your progress following treatment.
3. A small device, commonly referred to as a cheek retractor, is placed in your mouth to pull back your mouth and expose all of your teeth.
4. To prevent burning or irritating your gums, a protective liquid is used to serve as a barrier from the bleaching gel.
5. The bleaching gel is brushed on the teeth, left for a set time, and then removed. The process may be repeated a number of times.
6.  Occasionally, the dentist will use a light to enhance the effects of the gel
7. After each coat of bleaching gel, your dentist will be sure to evaluate your progress. He or she will decide if more gel should be applied or if your teeth are already significantly whiter.
8. When you are finished. The dentist will rinse your teeth and gums, and carefully remove the cheek extractor. At this point you will have another picture taken and you will be able to see the results.

With our teeth whitening in Tampa treatments, it’s possible to have the dazzling white smile you’ve always wanted. Call us today to schedule your appointment.