How Long is the Teeth Whitening Process? 

Most people desire to have a brighter, stain-free smile. Dentist-supervised treatments provide greater tooth whitening results faster than store-bought kits. Should you choose in-office or at-home treatments? How long does it take? How permanent are the results? Keep reading to learn about how you can boost your confidence and get a smile you’re proud of with Stonebrook Family Dental. 

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a way to brighten up your smile and decrease the amount of staining that is currently present on your teeth. Oral hygiene, medications, and what foods and drinks you consume all affect the color of your smile. 

Teeth Whitening Options

At Stonebrook Family Dental, we offer patients both in-office teeth whitening services and at-home systems that provide whitening power for a slightly longer period of time. No matter the option you choose, you will experience benefits. If desired, you can also choose to practice a combination approach of both at-home and in-office whitening treatments. Dr. Varley and our staff at Stonebrook Family Dental will go over the pros and cons of each treatment during your teeth whitening evaluation. 

In-Office Teeth Whitening 

Professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world today. It is used to help with tooth discolorations that result from aging and what we consume to eat and drink. Unlike the at-home option, your in-office treatment will take place under carefully monitored conditions with Dr. Varley. This will help make sure the amount of bleaching gel you are given is safe, controlled, and doesn’t cause you pain. Thicker peroxide gels and the use of desensitizers, like potassium nitrate and fluoride, work to prevent gum and tooth sensitivity during your teeth whitening treatment. 

In-office treatments produce quick results. Depending on which treatment you choose, you can expect to see a smile that is up to 10 shades brighter in as little as an hour. For instance, we offer:

• LED whitening. This is recommended to be used every six months at your regular dental exam visit and is considered a maintenance procedure that will whiten your teeth up to 3 shades in 20 minutes. An LED accelerated light is used to help achieve a whiter smile in a short time. 
• Boost System by Ultradent. If you want a drastic shade change within one hour, we offer Boost System by Ultradent. This is a chemically activated whitening gel that provides brighter, whiter teeth after just an hour at the dentist. The powerful 40% hydrogen peroxide gel is chemically activated and doesn’t require light to work. Using the unique double-string configuration, our whitening team activates the 40% hydrogen peroxide formula right before application and will ensure that every dose is fresh and effective. 

At-Home Teeth Whitening 

If you want to get whiter teeth from the comfort of your own home, try your custom trays with whitening gel. The take-home system is preferred for many patients because it’s custom made and can be done at any time. With this option, patients often see whiter teeth in 2-6 weeks. 

Does Teeth Whitening Always Remove Stains?

Results vary patient-to-patient. Some stains are easier to remove than others depending on the category of the stain. Dental professionals have identified three main categories of tooth discoloration:

• Extrinsic teeth stains, which is a stain on the surface of the tooth. It happens when particles, like residue from pigmented food or drinks, build up in the firm of the protein that covers the tooth enamel. These stains typically respond well to regular dental cleaning and whitening treatments.
• Intrinsic teeth stains, which are stains that are below the surface of the tooth. This occurs when stain-causing particles work through the exterior of the tooth and accumulate within the tooth enamel. These stains are tougher to remove, but it can be done with professional treatments at the dentist. 
• Age-related stains, which combines extrinsic and intrinsic stains. To explain, the core tissue of your teeth, the dentin, naturally turns more yellow as you age. As we get older, the enamel that covers the tooth becomes thinner, and allows the dentin to show through.

Retaining a Brighter Smile

After your whitening appointment, your efforts to proactively retain it can help it last longer. To do this, practice good oral hygiene and avoid food and drink that have dark pigments, like red wine and coffee. 

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental

If you’re interested in brightening your smile, contact our team at Stonebrook Family Dental to learn more about in-office and at-home whitening treatments.