Teeth are not naturally white. Plus, everyday activities, such as coffee and red wine consumption, can cause the enamel to become discolored over time. It is no surprise, then, that many individuals are dissatisfied due to the yellow or dull appearance of their teeth. Are you one of them? If you are, our Abington cosmetic dentistry team is ready to give your smile a new glow. Our professional teeth whitening services may be able to get rid of dental stains and boost your confidence in a very short period of time.
You may be a good candidate for teeth whitening if:
During your cosmetic consultation, our team will make sure that teeth whitening is right for you. Your teeth should be healthy, and the type of dental discoloration that you have should be one that tends to respond well to whitening formulas.
Teeth whitening works by using specialized bleaching formulas that penetrate the tooth enamel in order to break up pigment molecules. As a result, the teeth can become significantly brighter and whiter. We adapt whitening treatments to the needs of each unique patient. After we learn about you and your goals, we might recommend that you undergo an in-office whitening treatment, or we may send you home with a custom professional whitening kit.
Our take-home whitening kits let you achieve your whitening goals in the comfort of your own home. Simply follow the kit’s instructions, and you should see significant results within a week or two. Take-home whitening is often best for people with sensitive teeth or those who may find it uncomfortable to sit through an in-office whitening session.
Our in-office whitening procedure takes about one hour. You will simply relax in the treatment chair while we apply a powerful bleaching formula to your teeth. After it sits on your teeth for a while, we will thoroughly rinse it off, and you will be able to admire your freshly whitened smile.
The results of teeth whitening may last for months or a few years — it really depends on how you care for your teeth. Here are some tips to help your smile stay as bright as possible for as long as possible:
Some patients experience a temporary increase in dental sensitivity after whitening their teeth. That can happen because whitening formulas open the tiny pores on your teeth, which makes it easier for outside stimuli to irritate the teeth’s sensitive inner layers. The increased sensitivity may last for a few days.
One nice feature of professional whitening is that it can be customized to reduce the risk of sensitivity. If you are concerned about this issue, let us know so we can adjust your treatment accordingly.
Both types of treatment can help to reduce dental discoloration, but there are some key differences between them:
In-office teeth whitening is very fast. In a single appointment (which may last an hour or so), your teeth may become several shades brighter!
At-home teeth whitening is more gradual. Usually, it takes two weeks to achieve optimum results. However, you might start to notice a difference after the first few days.
If you want your treatment to be completed before a certain date, such as a special event, we recommend that you schedule your appointment right away so you can secure a slot that works with your schedule.
No, teeth whitening is not permanent. The formulas we use do not change the fact that teeth are porous and can absorb pigments over time. Therefore, you can expect the results of your treatment to wear off eventually (within a few months to a few years, depending on how you care for your smile).
Of course, you may be able to prolong your results by doing simple things like minimizing your consumption of highly pigmented foods, sticking to a good oral care routine, and attending routine dental cleanings. It would also be wise to periodically perform touch-up whitening treatments.