Everybody loves a bright, white smile and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours. Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth once a day, and the regular cleanings at your dentist’s office. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options. At Bountiful Dental, we offer in-office bleaching as well as custom-made bleach trays that allow you to whiten your teeth at home.

What should you ask us?

You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow-ish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers, crowns, or dental bonding.

What is in-office bleaching?

Our procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 to 90 minutes.

During chairside bleaching, we will apply a protective gel to your gums to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth in 20-minute rounds. We usually recommend two or three rounds. After bleaching, we will take impressions for your custom bleach trays and send you home with a kit that includes a year’s supply of bleach.

While you are using your at-home bleach, you may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation from the solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist.

Call and schedule your whitening appointment today!