Tooth whitening is a procedure that can lighten the shade of your teeth and remove staining or discoloration caused by aging, medications, or diet and lifestyle factors such as drinking coffee, tea, wine, or using tobacco products. Tooth whitening will not last forever, so the procedure will have to be repeated on a regular basis to maintain the desired colouration.
Tooth whitening can be done at home or in the dental office. Our dentists will often take a photo of your existing tooth colour to monitor your progress and compare the new lighter shade of your teeth throughout treatment.
In-office treatment can brighten your teeth by six to ten shades. Using a special, light-activated whitening gel (usually containing hydrogen peroxide), this procedure is a quick and convenient way to achieve a smile you’ll love to show off. In-office whitening often takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete and usually requires a few visits to the dentist's office to achieve the desired colour.
For in-home whitening, our dentists will take an impression of your teeth and then make custom mouthpieces (trays) to fit your teeth. The dentist will give you a supply of bleaching gel (usually containing hydrogen peroxide) that is applied to the tray and then you will be instructed to wear the tray for a certain amount of time. Care should be taken to use only the prescribed amount of whitening gel as any excess of the product can contact your gums and cause irritation.
Both in-home and in-office tooth-whitening procedures can cause increased tooth sensitivity in some people. this is a normal side effect and usually subsides a few days after the whitening treatments have been completed. Whitening procedures should be avoided if you are pregnant.
Teeth whitening procedures at Park Dental Wellness Centre in Sherwood Park are easy and painless; call to schedule your appointment today at (780) 467-2444.
