Teeth Whitening
Mesa, AZ
You may brush and floss as frequently as the dental professionals advise, however, you may still not be totally satisfied with the whiteness of your teeth.
The reason is that even if you are diligent at brushing your teeth twice a day as recommended, your teeth will stain.
Certain nutritional habits, as well as genetic conditions, make it difficult to maintain a bright smile via traditional tooth cleaning practices.
If you would like to enhance the way your smile looks, consider a teeth whitening treatment at Timothy H. Kindt, DDS. We offer teeth whitening solutions for our patients in and around Mesa, AZ. This is one of the most cost-effective cosmetic dentistry treatments - you can transform your smile in just an hour.
We offer in-office whitening and at-home whitening kits that you can rely on to do the job gently as well as safely.
Before the teeth whitening procedure, we will likely spend some time discussing possible risks and side effects with you. We will also ask about your medical history and give your mouth an examination to ensure that it is healthy enough for the procedure.
What is Teeth Whitening?
In-Office Whitening
Although the details of the whitening procedure may vary from one office to another, there are fairly standard steps that a dentist has to take. Whitening treatments are not painful, and will not not bring about any discomfort.
A dental exam is first carried out to check for decay, gum infection, cavities,and cracks. The presence of these oral problems necessitates pre-whitening procedures to resolve or correct them.
Our dentist will then prepare the tooth for whitening. Prophylactic cleaning is done to remove debris and bacterial plaque collecting on teeth and gums.
Our dentist will then take pictures of your teeth and measure the color on a shade guide. The color measurement aids in comparing the results to assess the progress. It forms the benchmark for the review of the whitening procedure.
Next, the dentist will place cheek retractors to expose the teeth that require whitening. A hardening resin or liquid rubber dam is painted onto your gums, offering protection against the active ingredient of the whitening gel.
Ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, in higher concentrations, can irritate the sensitive gum tissue, if they happen to get in contact with them.
We then apply the bleaching solution or gel to the teeth, letting it rest for roughly 15 minutes. The bleaching solution works on the stains to whiten the teeth.
Our dentist may use an intense light focused on the teeth to help enhance the bleaching action.
We will check how white the teeth have become after each bleaching. After each application, we will cleanse the teeth. We will then apply another bleaching solution until we obtain the shade you want.
Take-Home Whitening Trays
For patients who need to conduct teeth whitening at home at their own pace, we suggest using whitening trays.
Although a bit slower than in-office whitening, which gives instant results, the take-home whitening kits still deliver desirable results. They typically take a week or more to get the desired results.
We custom-make the trays after recording a mold of the teeth. We use the mold to get a model that helps us construct your whitening trays.
The kits come with a whitening gel to apply to the trays. At-home whitening kits should come with detailed instructions for use.
After a week, you should be able to see your teeth look whiter and brighter!
Avoid Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
Although you can use over-the-counter whitening products, you may not be able to get the desired results. They may contain chemicals that can put your teeth at risk.
Also, they may not be able to get you immediate results or even match the results you can get from professional whitening.
The over-the-counter whitening kits are considered one-size-fits-all products. Therefore, they may not do well in your specific whitening needs.
Tips to Follow for Excellent Whitening Results
One of the worries you might experience while using teeth whitening products is the results and the timespan. You must follow the instructions very closely.
If we send you with at-home whitening trays, be careful not to let the gel touch your lips or gums, as this can cause sensitivity and sore gums.
Be sure to follow the proper time frame for wearing the whitening trays. Over-exposure can also cause tooth and gum sensitivity.
Always consult our dentist if you experience any troubles and we will give you advice and guidance.
Am I Suitable for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening may be a cosmetic procedure, but it should be treated with caution.
If you have active gum disease or tooth decay, whitening procedures can cause irritation and even permanent harm.
If you have ever had tooth sensitivity you will know this is something you will not want to live with forever, which is why it is always essential to see a dental health professional about whitening treatments before you start them.
When is Teeth Whitening not Advisable?
During pregnancy, when the enamel is worn out, in the event of exposed roots, having cavities, undergoing dental restoration procedures, or being younger than 16 years of age are all reasons not to undergo a teeth whitening procedure.
If you have to perform the teeth whitening procedure, ensure it is a recommendation from the dentist.
Schedule Teeth Whitening at your Mesa, AZ Dentist today!
If you want a brighter smile and to increase your self-confidence, contact us at Timothy H. Kindt, DDS to find out which professional teeth whitening solution would work best for you. Call (480) 939-5818 today to book your appointment.
