East Amherst Teeth Whitening | The Ivory Dental Co.

Benefits Of Teeth Whitening

Having whiter teeth increases self-confidence and gives people more opportunities. Studies have shown that there is a halo effect for people with whiter teeth. A person with a beautiful smile and bright white teeth is seen as more attractive and people are even more likely to believe they are a good person.
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The ramifications of this effect are that people with whiter teeth are more likely to get a job interview or a promotion at work and likely to have more success socially and romantically. Teeth whitening is a simple, minimally-invasive way to brighten your smile.
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It's one of the cheapest cosmetic dental treatments you can get that makes a big difference. Having a bright smile can detract attention away from wrinkles and make others feel more drawn to you.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Take-home whitening allows you to whiten your teeth from home after coming in for a single short dental appointment to take impressions of your teeth. While this option produces much more gradual results, it is just as effective as in-office whitening. You do not have to sit for a whitening appointment in the dental chair and have UV light pointed at your teeth. This is a good option for patients with sensitive teeth.

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In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office whitening produces dramatic instant results, perfect for special occasions or when the need for whiter teeth is time-sensitive. A single hour-long whitening appointment can lighten the shade of your teeth by up to 10 shades. We take precautions to protect your gums and other soft tissue inside of your mouth.

The Teeth Whitening Process

The teeth whitening process is different between in-office and take-home teeth whitening. While in-office whitening involves direct application of the whitening agent which is activated by a UV light, take-home whitening involves wearing custom whitening trays that are made from impressions of your teeth.

consultation

If you are interested in having whiter teeth, you’ll first come in for a consultation with Dr. Sweeney. She will examine your teeth to determine the severity of discoloration and make recommendations as to which whitening treatment would be best for you.

impressions (take-home only)

The take-home whitening process begins with one dental appointment where we will take impressions of your teeth. These impressions are sent to a dental lab that creates custom-fit whitening trays for you to wear for 2 weeks.

cleaning & soft tissue protection (in-office only)

At your in-office whitening appointment, we will first clean your teeth. Then, we will protect the soft tissue in your mouth from coming in contact with the whitening agent. A cheek retractor will be placed to keep your mouth open and a protective gel is applied to your gums.

Whitening

For take-home whitening, you will whiten your teeth gradually by wearing your whitening trays every day for 2 weeks. Once your trays are ready, you will pick them up from the office. The whitening gel is applied into the trays and the trays are placed over your teeth.

You will be given instructions regarding how to use the whitening gel and trays and how long to keep them in. The custom-fit trays ensure that the whitening gel doesn’t run over into your gums.

At your in-office whitening appointment, we apply the whitening gel to each of your teeth and activate it with UV light. This process takes about an hour and may require multiple treatments if you have severe discoloration. At the end of the appointment, the whitening agent will be rinsed out and you’ll be left with much whiter teeth.

Does Teeth Whitening Have Side Effects?

A common side effect of teeth whitening is temporary tooth sensitivity which is caused by demineralization. The whitening agent contains peroxide which breaks down the bonds of molecules that hold stains on your teeth. However, it also removes minerals from your enamel in this process, which causes increased porosity and exposes the dentinal tubules.

The dentin layer of your teeth contains nerve endings responsible for sensation so your teeth will feel more sensitive in the first few days after a whitening treatment until the teeth remineralize. The use of desensitizing gel and brushing your teeth with sensitive toothpaste will reduce sensitivity.

professional teeth whitening in East Amherst

How To Keep Your Teeth Bright

A professional whitening treatment lasts for 6 months to 3 years depending on how you care for your teeth. To keep teeth bright and white, avoid staining foods/drinks and smoking. Practice proper oral hygiene by brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Get regular dental cleanings every 6 months to remove plaque buildup and surface stains.

Teeth Whitening in East Amherst, NY