Professional teeth whitening is a safe, efficient, and effective choice for brightening your smile. But there are many things to consider, including your lifestyle choices, cost, and whether an in-office or take-home treatment is better for you. In this blog post, our team at Charles Martin DDS tells you all you need to know about professional teeth whitening in South Tampa.
Professional Teeth Whitening Methods
There are two main products used for teeth whitening: carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. The difference between professional teeth whitening methods and over-the-counter whitening products is the chemical concentration. At our dental office, our dentist near you uses a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide because they have the ability to isolate the teeth and protect the gums from damage.
There are two main kinds of professional teeth whitening; in-office professional teeth whitening is a more expensive but faster way to brighten your smile. Custom take-home trays are another option, and they fall somewhere between over-the-counter and in-office products when it comes to treatment time and cost.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office professional whitening treatments are most often completed in several short visits, but this can vary depending on your unique needs. The whitening agent is applied to your teeth and left on for 15 to 30-minute increments, and the entire process should take no longer than an hour and a half. There are two main types of in-office whitening treatments:
● Hydrogen peroxide combined with a high-intensity light
● A highly-concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel applied using a syringe
When you visit our team at Charles Martin DDS for in-office teeth whitening near you, you can expect to go through the following steps:
● Our dentist will use a shade chart to determine the current shade of your teeth and discuss how many shades lighter you would like your smile to be after treatment.
● Next, they will use a tool to polish and remove any debris or plaque from your teeth.
● Our dentist will apply a dental dam to your mouth to ensure that your teeth are isolated and your gums and lips are protected.
● They will then apply the whitening agent and leave it on your teeth for up to one hour.
After your treatment, our dentist will tell you what to do to ensure that your teeth remain bright and white following your treatment. This will include avoiding darkly colored foods and beverages and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
If you opt for a professional take-home whitening tray, our dentist in South Tampa will take an impression of your teeth to create your custom-designed tray. Since this tray will perfectly fit the inside of your mouth, it will give you smoother whitening results than over-the-counter trays. You will need to wear these trays as directed by our dentist for your desired results.
Deciding if Teeth Whitening is Right for You
If you are wondering if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, then the first step to take is to speak with a dentist. At Charles Martin DDS, our dedicated team of dental professionals will provide you with a comprehensive oral examination and discuss your smile goals with you to ensure that we help you find the best option for your needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us and book a consultation today.