| Choices for Whiter Teeth
We will be happy to talk about the different options for whitening teeth. Here is a summary of two of the methods we offer.
In-office "Zoom" Whitening as seen on ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover
1. A whitening gel containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. Light energy is applied to activate the chemical process.
2. In-office whitening usually can be accomplished in one visit to our office. It usually takes approximately 75 minutes.
3. We will compliment the treatment with home whitening to enhance the effects and for periodic touch-ups.
At-home Dentist-supervised Whitening
1. You wear a custom-fitted mouth tray containing a whitening gel for a an hour each day.
2. The trays can be adjusted to lighten individual teeth.
3. Mouth trays can be worn from 1 to 5 weeks.
Dentist Supervised Treatments vs. Over-the-Counter Kits
Numerous over-the-counter tooth whitening products are now available, but dentist-supervised whitening remains the safest and most effective method of brightening your smile. Here are some key reasons why.
1. Often, over-the-counter whitening trays do not fit the patient's mouth properly. Improperly fitting trays may leak the whitening gel and can result in gum irritation and a less effective treatment. More seriously, a poorly fitted tray may hold the jaws too far apart which could cause problems in the future.
2. Tooth whitening gels may cause some level of discomfort in the patient. We adjust the strength of whitening gel to maximize your comfort, so even people with the most sensitive teeth can undergo the treatment.
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