Your Quesnel Invisalign® Provider
You may have seen movie stars and your friends achieve great results with teeth whitening - but how does this procedure actually work? Our dentists in Quesnel offer some insight into how the teeth whitening process can brighten your smile.
What is teeth whitening?
It's common for people to notice their teeth getting darker as they age, often as a side effect of taking certain medications, smoking, drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, or alcohol, and general wear and tear from years of use.
That's why many patients ask us about exploring professional teeth whitening treatments. These use peroxide-based bleaching agents to reduce the appearance of surface stains and lighten the colour of your teeth. As the peroxide breaks down, oxygen works on the tooth enamel and produces the whitening effect.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Our Office
This is a popular treatment option for many patients, since we can usually complete the full process in one or two sessions.
If you come in for in-office whitening treatment, your dentist will begin by placing a rubber shield over your gums to protect them from the whitening solution.
Next a small brush-like applicator will be used to apply a bleaching solution to your teeth. This solution will be left on your teeth for about 15 minutes under a low-heat lamp. the hygienist will then remove the solution and repeat the application process, which usually takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. For some patients, one session may be sufficient, but you may require more treatments depending on your specific case so we can achieve the whitening effect you desire.
Professional Teeth Whitening At Home
Look up “how to whiten teeth” online and you’ll soon find a wide range of at-home teeth whitening options. While these present one alternative, they are not quite as strong or as effective as the teeth whitening kits at our Quesnel dental office.
The teeth whitening solutions we offer come with custom whitening trays and specific instructions about how to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home. Plus, you’ll have your dentist to supervise the process, and your teeth whitening cost may be somewhat less than with the in-office solution.
To begin, you’ll first need to visit the dentist so an impression of your teeth can be taken in order to create the custom whitening trays to fit your smile. You’ll use these trays at home to apply the whitening solution yourself.
Once your trays are ready, you will return to the dentist’s office to confirm they are a good fit. Next, you’ll be sent home with the trays, the whitening solution, and clear instructions from your dentist.
At home, you’ll wear the trays for about 30 minutes every day for approximately 2 weeks, until you achieve the desired level of whiteness. Then, you can use the whitening solution to touch up your smile every 6 months or so.