What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening refers to the methods your cosmetic dentist uses to remove stains and discoloration from your smile. Unlike retail whitening products, your professional whitening treatment will be crafted with your specific needs and smile goals in mind.
At-home whitening uses custom-made trays in combination with prescribed whitening gel. The trays fit over the teeth and allow patients to whiten their smiles at their convenience.
ZOOM! teeth whitening is a professional system developed by Phillips. This revolutionary system utilizes a powerful 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening gel and LED rays. The gel is activated by the lamp, causing a chemical reaction that works stains out of your smile. Using the gel in combination with the specially designed LED lamp allows it to penetrate the enamel and lift the toughest stains.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
- Safety — Professional teeth whitening is only performed after a thorough initial consultation to determine if the recipient can safely undergo the procedure. Your West Chester cosmetic dentist will perform or design the treatment himself, which greatly minimizes the dangers of misuse.
- Speed — ZOOM! can whiten your smile in less than one hour! At-home whitening can remove stains in three weeks or less.
- Effectiveness — Professional teeth whitening can remove years of stains from your smile, brightening your teeth up to eight shades.
- Reduced Post-Whitening Sensitivity — Your West Chester cosmetic dentist knows exactly how long to leave the gel on, which helps prevent excessive post-whitening sensitivity. Your whitening trays will come with specific instructions to help you reduce your chances of excess sensitivity as well.
- Prevents Gum Irritation — We use protective measures such as plastic barriers to protect your gums, tongue, and other soft oral tissues. Your custom-made whitening trays will be made to fit your unique dental profile, to prevent your gum tissue from coming into contact with the gel when you whiten at home.
The ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Process
Initial Consultation
Before approving you for ZOOM! teeth whitening, Dr. Briglia will thoroughly examine your mouth to make sure you’re an excellent candidate. Patients with dental restorations such as dental bonding and porcelain veneers aren’t qualified for teeth whitening, as those restorations are resistant to whitening agents. Your West Chester cosmetic dentist may also need to treat problems like extensive tooth decay and gum disease before you can safely undergo treatment.
Preparation
Once you’re approved for ZOOM! teeth whitening, Dr. Briglia will clean your teeth to give the gel a surface to easily adhere to. To protect your soft tissues from the gel, he’ll insert plastic dams into your mouth that will comfortably block them off.
ZOOM! Whitening
Your cosmetic dentist will apply the gel to your teeth and turn on the LED lamp. They’ll expose the gel to LED rays for fifteen minutes at a time. We’ll remove and reapply the gel up to three more times in fifteen-minute intervals, checking with you to see when we achieve your desired shade. Once we achieve the shade you want, we’ll rinse the gel off to reveal your new smile.
The At-Home Teeth Whitening Process
Designing Your Whitening Trays
If Dr. Briglia has approved you for at-home teeth whitening, he’ll design your custom whitening trays by taking images and impressions of your teeth. These will be used to make your custom-made whitening trays, allowing you to whiten your smile at home. Dr. Briglia will give you specific instructions on how to use your trays.
Using Your Take-Home Whitening Trays
Using your whitening trays at home is a simple process that should work over two to three weeks. Simply clean your teeth beforehand, express a line of whitening gel into the bottom of the tray, and press the trays onto the proper arches of teeth. Wear the trays for the prescribed amount of time, usually one hour.
You can do other things while wearing your trays, but do not eat or drink anything. Remove your trays and rinse your teeth to reveal a brighter smile. Be sure to also rinse the trays and store them away for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is professional whitening safe?
Professional whitening treatment is one of the safest ways to whiten your smile. In-office whitening with ZOOM! treatment is directed by your dental professional. If you choose at-home whitening trays, your cosmetic dentist will give you specific instructions on how to use them and care for your smile to produce the best results afterward.
How long does teeth whitening last?
The results of your whitening treatment can last for up to but keeping your results looking fresh will require a few additional steps:
- Avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth
- Don’t use tobacco products
- Touch up your results with your whitening trays
- Visit your dentist every six months to a year for retreatments
Which is the best teeth whitening method — ZOOM! whitening or at-home whitening?
The best whitening method depends on the individual patient. If you prefer to take care of your smile from the convenience of your own home, then at-home whitening may be right for you. If you’d rather get your treatment done quickly, then we recommend ZOOM! in-office whitening treatment.
How much does professional teeth whitening cost?
The exact cost of your professional teeth whitening will depend on numerous factors including which type of whitening treatment you undergo, the level of discoloration, and your insurance coverage. Your cosmetic dentist will give you a more accurate breakdown of your costs during your initial consultation. If you need help covering the cost of your whitening treatment, talk to any member of our dental staff and we’ll help you work something out.
Does professional teeth whitening hurt?
Professional teeth whitening is a virtually painless procedure, although you may experience some mild post-whitening sensitivity. This can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication and using methods such as vitamin E oil and toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Schedule A Whitening Consultation With Our West Chester Dentist
Whether you’re interested in getting a quick in-office whitening treatment, or whitening at home, Dr. Briglia offers treatment to meet everyone’s goals. Briglia Dental Group offers in-office ZOOM! whitening and at-home whitening trays to patients from West Chester and surrounding areas such as Chester Springs, Exton, Broomall, and Chadds Ford, PA.
Learn more about our teeth whitening options by dialing (610) 890-7921. You can also click the button below to contact us and schedule a consultation. One of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly.
