As time goes by, your once-bright smile might lose its luster due to things like stain-causing foods, smoking, and thinning enamel. If you’re feeling less confident about your teeth, your dentist can guide you toward the ideal whitening treatment to rejuvenate your smile.
Home remedies can be a budget-friendly way to lessen surface stains on your teeth. While they cost less than professional whitening, they may not be as potent, so results take longer, typically requiring daily use over several weeks.
Whitening toothpastes and rinses contain gentle scrubbing particles and bleaching agents, usually peroxides, to combat surface stains from foods, drinks, and smoking. They’re also excellent for maintaining the results of professional whitening. While they may not change tooth color or tackle deep stains, they can gradually improve surface stains with regular use over a few weeks.
These flexible plastic strips come in two sizes, to fit both upper and lower teeth, and are coated on one side with a thin film of peroxide-based gel. The gel-side of each strip is positioned on the front of the teeth and gently pressed into place. The strip needs to adhere to each tooth completely to ensure even whitening, and shouldn’t touch sensitive gum tissue to avoid irritation. The strips are usually recommended for use twice a day, for 30 minutes each time. Total treatment time can vary from several days to several weeks.
Gel tray whitening involves a mouthguard-like device filled with whitening gel and worn over your teeth. These trays can come pre-filled with gel or with separate gel applications in syringes. Keep in mind that stock trays might not offer a perfect fit, so be cautious to prevent the gel from touching your gums and other sensitive mouth tissues. The duration of use can differ between manufacturers.
While various whitening methods can enhance your smile, there are situations where professional whitening stands out as the top choice. Professional whitening products pack a more potent punch and can effectively eliminate stubborn stains that over-the-counter (OTC) options struggle with. If you have deep or dark staining, or you desire immediate results, in-office whitening is your ideal solution.
Opting for in-office whitening means you’ll enjoy a quicker, more powerful, and more enduring whitening experience. Dentists use gels with higher peroxide concentrations than those available over the counter. Your dentist will assess your oral health, safeguard your gums, and keep a close eye on the procedure. In-office whitening usually wraps up in just 30-90 minutes.
Certain office whitening procedures incorporate halogen, LED, or UV lighting as a component of the process. It’s important to note that light doesn’t directly whiten teeth. Instead, it works with the whitening gel, kickstarting the molecules in the gel and accelerating the chemical reaction that removes stains.
For those seeking at-home whitening, custom trays made by your dentist are an excellent choice. These trays are expertly crafted to fit your teeth precisely, ensuring accurate application of the peroxide gel that comes with them. Using custom trays may take around two weeks to achieve maximum whitening.
Not all teeth respond well to standard at-home or in-office whitening methods. If you have stubborn discoloration due to factors like trauma or medication taken during tooth development, or if you have dental work like bonding, veneers, crowns, or bridges that are darker than your natural enamel, it’s essential to consult with your dentist. They can help determine the most suitable whitening treatment or cosmetic procedure to attain your brightest smile.
Find quick answers to common questions about our dental services, procedures, and patient care in our FAQ section.
A dentist-performed treatment using high-concentration peroxide gels to remove deep and stubborn stains — faster and more effective than any over-the-counter product.
Yes, professional teeth whitening can effectively remove many surface stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, smoking, and certain foods. However, some deep internal stains may require alternative cosmetic treatments for optimal results.
Excel Dental offers two main approaches:
A process where halogen, LED, or UV light is used alongside the whitening gel. The light activates the gel’s molecules — accelerating the stain-removal reaction for faster, stronger results.
Most patients can safely undergo professional teeth whitening every 6 to 12 months, depending on their oral health and lifestyle habits. Your dentist can recommend the ideal frequency based on your individual needs.
Yes, Excel Dental is in-network with the majority of dental PPO insurance plans and accepts MassHealth (Medicaid)
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Don’t have insurance? Excel Dental’s team can also discuss flexible payment options to make your care affordable. Visit ourexceldental.com/patients for more information.
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