Before	After

We offer two types of bleaching for our patients:

• In-Office Bleaching. The teeth are cleaned, isolated and we apply a protective gel to your gums to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching gel is then applied to the teeth, usually 3 eight minute applications. The total procedure usually is completed in 1 - 1.5 hours. Results with this method are fast and often dramatic. However, they may require touch-up bleaching sooner for some people, compared with tray bleaching. For this reason we recommend tray fabrication as well to maintain your whiter smile.

• At- Home Tray Bleaching. We take impressions to make a mold of your teeth. Very thin and comfortable trays are custom fabricated for your mouth. The bleaching gel is placed in these trays and worn for 1 -2 hours per day. They may also be worn over night. Results are usually seen in within 1 week but may require 2-3 weeks or longer for full results, depending on the initial shade of the tooth. The advantage of this method is that the bleaching can be touched–up periodically to maintain the bleaching results as long as you have your trays. The best time to touch-up is after a regularly scheduled hygiene appointment. Usually 1 or 2 applications are sufficient to touch-up and maintain your results.

Both are safe, effective and performed using proven materials from companies with the finest reputations.

For both methods, results are permanent but the same factors that caused the teeth to darken in the first place are still present so over time the teeth will continue to darken so touch-ups will be required to maintain the lighter shade. Also, crowns and fillings will not bleach although some composite restorations may appear somewhat lighter due to the bleaching of the tooth structure beneath them.

The most common side effect is sensitivity for some people, which is temporary and usually can be managed most commonly by altering the bleaching regiment or with desensitizing agents.

	Before		After

What should you ask your dentist?

You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow-ish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not effect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

What is in-office bleaching?

If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist may suggest a procedure that can be done in his or her office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.

During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.

A number of in-office bleaching agents have the ADA Seal of Acceptance, your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.

Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent. No whitening products using lasers currently are on the ADA list of Accepted products.

What are at-home procedures and products?

There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter.

Bleaching solutions . These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%).

Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely. Currently, only dentist-dispensed home-use 10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels carry the ADA Seal.

You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation—either from a tray that doesn't fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist.