Questions and Answers about Teeth Whitening

Many patients come to Lakeline Ranch Dental interested in whitening their teeth and brightening their smile.  To help understand the process and procedure of teeth whitening, we spoke with our dentists who perform them on a regular basis.  In the the following  Q and A, we expore the answers to some of the most common questions people have about the process and effects of whitening your teeth.   If you have additional questions, feel free to send us an email, or give our office a call.

Click here to: Schedule A Dental Appointment Today!

• What is the difference between Zoom whitening and Tray or Gel whitening?

The main difference is that Zoom whitening is done in the dental office and allows you to achieve  a whiter smile much faster, about 6 weeks faster for most folks.  Take home trays and Zoom are both effective ways of whitening you teeth, one just lets you do it much faster. The draw back to Zoom is that it is more expensive than take home trays.  However, we routinely run specials that make it much more affordable.  Ask about our $299 and $399 Zoom Specials.

• Which one yields better results?

Both systems bleach teeth very well as long as they are done properly.  Teeth that do not whiten much with Zoom, would have also not whitened very much with take home trays, and conversely, teeth that bleach well with Zoom will also do well with take home trays, it would just take longer to achieve the same level of whiteness

• Is it safe?

Teeth Whitening is safe as long as the products are used as recommended.  If sensitivity occurs, bleaching should be stopped until the teeth are no longer sensitive, once the teeth are no longer sensitive, bleaching can resume.  For people with sensitive teeth, a desensitizing protocol can be commenced prior to attempting whitening in order to achieve the best results possible.

• Will it make my teeth sensitive?

Not all teeth will be sensitive to bleaching.  Those that experience sensitivity usually get relief with a fluoride treatment and over the counter pain medicine such as ibuprofen.  For extreme cases of sensitivity and anesthetic block can be administered to numb the area causing the discomfort.  This type of severe sensitivity is rare and does not tend to last more than 24hrs.  Sensitivity that occurs with bleaching is temporary and reversible in nature.

• How long does the whitening last?

Once the desired shade is achieved whether with Zoom or take home trays, most people do a touch up with take home trays every six months to a year.  Everyone is different and your eating and drinking habits will contribute to how fast the color relapses.  Common culprits of teeth staining are: Green Tea, Coffee, Red wine, some Protein drinks

• What if I have crowns or fillings, will the bleaching still work?

Whitening with bleaching gels will not change the color of existing crowns or fillings.

Click here to: Make a Dental Appointing Today!

Here is a summary of the different treatments and expected results comparing a variety of different teeth whitening options