Teeth whitening in Racine

Why Should I Use Professional Teeth Whitening Services?

Professional whitening is much safer than do-it-yourself whitening. During your professional whitening appointments, your care team will examine your teeth to give you the safest and most effective treatment. You’ll be closely monitored to ensure that your teeth whitening experience is painless and comfortable.

Dental professionals use bleaching gels that are much more concentrated than the gels in over-the-counter kits, so you’ll get the immediate and dramatic results you want. Professional whitening is most effective for patients who have stained enamel from smoking or long-term consumption of coffee, tea, berries, tomatoes, and other acidic foods and beverages.

If you have certain types of tooth discoloration, professional whitening won’t be beneficial for you. For example, professional whitening can’t remove tetracycline stains. It doesn’t work for tooth decay or defective restorations, and it won’t fix discoloration that’s located in the deeper layers of the tooth. In addition, it only works on natural tooth surfaces, so it won’t change the color of fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations.

Before you begin your teeth whitening treatments, our dental team will perform a thorough assessment to identify the underlying cause of your tooth discoloration. This step helps us prevent unwanted side effects. From your initial consultation to your final teeth whitening treatment, we’re here to ensure your complete satisfaction.

What Should I Know About Teeth Whitening at Home?

In addition to our in-office whitening options, we’re happy to provide take-home whitening kits for our patients. Each kit includes professional-strength whitening gels and customized whitening trays.

To create your kit, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to make sure your whitening trays are perfect for you. Our dentists will pack your kit with the whitening gels that are best for your oral health needs and treatment goals.

We recommend that you wear your trays one hour per day for two weeks. By following this treatment plan, you can expect to lighten your teeth by up to six shades.

How Much Will My Professional Whitening Treatments Cost?

To determine the total cost of your professional whitening treatments, your care team will consider the type of teeth whitening system you select and the number of treatments you need.

If you end up needing follow-up treatments or repairs to fix the color of dental restorations, your teeth bleaching cost will increase. We’ll be happy to provide an estimate during your initial consultation.

What Are the Differences Between Professional and Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products?

Professional whitening products are much more powerful than over-the-counter options. While over-the-counter products could provide some visible improvements, they won’t provide the consistent results you can expect with professional treatments.

Many over-the-counter products can cause painful side effects, including gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. If you use over-the-counter products incorrectly, you may notice uneven streaks of white discoloration on your teeth. Additionally, your enamel might take on a bluish tinge.

If the chemicals in over-the-counter products reach an untreated crack or cavity, this could result in serious damage to the inner layers of your tooth. You may end up needing a root canal. With professional whitening, you won’t have to worry about these risks. Your dentist will supervise the entire process to ensure your safety.

What Can I Expect During My Teeth Whitening Procedure?

There are many types of in-office whitening systems, and each system has unique steps. The list below provides general guidance on what you can expect during a typical teeth whitening procedure at your dentist’s office.

1. Your session will start with a thorough examination and cleaning.
2. Your care team will take photos of your teeth. These will be used to determine your current tooth shade and monitor your progress.
3. Your provider will put a cheek retractor in your mouth. This makes it easier to see all of your teeth.
4. A special liquid will be applied to protect your gums during the whitening process. 
5. Several coatings of teeth whitening gel will be applied to your teeth. Your provider will leave each coating in place for a fixed amount of time. When the time is up, the coating will be removed.
6. With certain teeth whitening systems, an intense light will be placed on your teeth to optimize your results.
7. Your visit will conclude with an evaluation of the color changes in your teeth. Your teeth bleaching dentist will let you know if you need to attend follow-up appointments. Depending on your results, you may be offered a take-home whitening kit.

If you’re interested in improving your smile with teeth whitening, we’re here to help. Reach out to our team members today to explore your options for cosmetic teeth whitening in Racine.