Nothing exudes confidence like a set of pearly whites. If you’re unhappy with yellow, discolored teeth or noticeable stains, Dr. Mia Fitzgerald can help. The talented cosmetic dentist offers in-office teeth whitening for instantly lighter teeth.
Not only are whiter teeth more attractive, they also appear healthier. Following your in-office whitening treatment, your smile will be noticeably more radiant and youthful. Let our experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Fitzgerald help you enjoy the confidence that comes with lighter, whiter teeth.
In-Office Teeth Whitening vs. OTC Whitening Products
Anyone who is bothered by yellow or dull teeth has likely considered purchasing one of the many whitening or bleaching products available over the counter. Although there are many options to choose from, including whitening toothpastes, gel strips and trays, they all have limitations. For instance, OTC whitening trays are generic and not suited to everyone’s teeth. This means they can shift and leak solution, which in turn can irritate the gums. What’s more, the bleaching agents used in OTC whitening products are not as powerful as those used in in-office teeth whitening or take-home whitening kits dispensed by a dentist. For this reason, results with OTC whitening products take longer to materialize and are not as dramatic.
In-office teeth whitening treatment offers a number of benefits. First, the bleaching agents used in-office teeth whitening can lighten deep stains that cannot be lightened with OTC products. In-office treatment also offers immediate results. Depending on the specific whitening system used, in-office whitening can lighten stains up to eight shades in as little as an hour! Because treatment is supervised at all times by a professionally trained and experienced member of our team, you can expect treatment to be safe and pain-free. In addition, Dr. Fitzgerald offers take-home whitening kits that consist of custom-made trays so you can touch up your in-office whitening results from time to time.
What Can In-Office Teeth Whitening Improve?
In-office teeth whitening can lighten stains and discoloration caused by any of the following:
- Consumption of tea, coffee or red wine
- Tooth decay
- Usage of tobacco products
- Tooth trauma
- Genetic factors
- Certain medications
- The natural effects of aging
Candidacy for teeth whitening is determined on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Fitzgerald can meet with you personally to evaluate your dental needs. If she determines that you have stains that cannot be effectively lightened with teeth whitening, she will recommend an alternative option such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns. Dental restorations such as fillings, veneers and crowns will not change color with teeth whitening. Dental problems such as cavities and decay will need to be addressed prior to teeth whitening.
Treatment Details
There are several in-office whitening systems available and our team can determine which one is right for your needs and goals. Most whitening systems involve applying a bleaching gel over the teeth that works to break up stains and discoloration into smaller pieces. The gel is removed and re-applied several times over the course of an hour until the desired results are achieved.
Good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining your new, lighter smile. We also recommend you limit eating or drinking foods and beverages that could stain your teeth. Occasional touch-up treatments are recommended to maintain your whitening results.
To learn more about the teeth whitening options offered at the practice of Dr. Mia Fitzgerald, please schedule an appointment today.
