For people with discolored teeth, professional tooth whitening can make a dramatic difference in their appearance. There are several different methods of whitening teeth that involve various procedures and time constraints. The best news about tooth whitening is that 96 percent of patients experience a noticeable lightening effect that improves their smile.
In-office tooth bleaching is usually done in one to three visits. In some instances, the whitening is done with the traditional hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent and accelerated with a light or heat source. Other whitening systems are taken home by the patient and use a custom fitted dental dam and the bleaching agent to gradually whiten teeth over a period of a few weeks. The time its takes to whiten teeth professionally at home varies, depending upon the extent of discoloration and the results desired by the patient.
Once your teeth have been whitened, the lightening effect usually lasts for anywhere from one to three years. However, each person is different so the time the whitening procedure lasts varies depending on genetics and the amount of staining food and drink that crosses the teeth. Consuming a great deal of coffee, cola, red wine and other staining foods can cause your teeth to become discolored more quickly.
Consider the benefits of having a more beautiful smile and contact your dentist today to discuss the advantages of professional tooth whitening.
