It’s an unfortunate fact of life that your teeth will lose their youthful brightness over the years.
However, professional teeth whitening treatments can turn back the clock and restore your bright, beautiful smile.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
As you age, microscopic holes open up in your dental enamel and attract food particles that dull your smile. At the same time, the enamel thins, making the yellowish layer of dentin beneath more noticeable. Another factor that can contribute to a dull smile is consuming foods and drinks like coffee, dark tea, red wine, dark berries, and tomato sauce that deposit stains on your teeth.
Professional teeth whitening can remove stains and brighten your smile by six to eight shades.
Many of our patients prefer whitening at home at their convenience with custom take-home kits. The kit consists of prescription-strength whitening gel and trays that are customized for you using impressions of your teeth. Alternatively, sometimes disposable trays may be recommended. You will be instructed to wear the trays daily for about two weeks, and you should see results that are about six to eight shades brighter.
In-Office vs. At-Home Whitening
While store-bought kits only treat surface stains, professional whitening uses prescription-strength peroxide gels. These gels penetrate the enamel to break down discolored molecules deep inside the tooth through oxidation. We offer both custom-fitted and disposible take-home trays for your convenience.
We do not offer in-office whitening. The main reason for this is that with whitening too quickly (in one sitting), tooth sensitivity can become extreme. Also, when teeth are whitened quickly, the stain tends to return more quickly. We prefer the slower, more cautious approach of at-home whitening over the course of multiple applications.
Dental Cleanings and Teeth Whitening in Winston-Salem
Every teeth whitening treatment should start with a professional cleaning to ensure that your teeth are as clean as they can be. This results in the most noticeable, consistent results.
If you would like to learn more about professional whitening treatments offered at our practice, please give us a call to arrange an appointment.