It’s always a good idea to discuss teeth whitening with your dentist prior to undergoing the procedure. First of all, you’ll need to know if you are even a good candidate for the process. Then you’ll want your dentist to examine your teeth to make sure they can be whitened, and your dentist can also clean your teeth before you go ahead with the whitening procedure.
In-office teeth whitening is the best possible whitening treatment, because your dentist will be able to apply a whitening agent which can whiten your teeth up to eight shades brighter than they were before starting the process. It’s also best to have your whitening process supervised by a dental professional so you don’t harm your teeth or gums in any way.
Almost anyone can benefit from in-office teeth whitening, but some people are better candidates for the process than others. For instance, women who are pregnant or lactating should not go through the procedure, unless your dentist approves it. Children under the age of 16 should also not go through teeth whitening, and patients who have crowns, bridges, implants, or fillings installed may not be good candidates. People who will see the most improvement will be those who have stained teeth due to dietary habits, e.g. tea and coffee drinkers, etc.
There are peroxides contained in whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide and when these molecules come in contact with your tooth enamel, they tend to break apart the chemical bonds which hold stains in place on your teeth. This in effect, causes the stains to be removed because the bonds have been broken, so they can no longer be held in place. Typically, it will cost between $650 and $1,000 to have in-office teeth whitening performed by your dentist, depending on the specific type of whitening agent used.
If you’re not happy with your smile, and you’d like it to be much whiter, we may be able to provide you with the enhancement you’re looking for. Contact us at Ammons Dental by Design, so we can arrange for an initial consultation and determine if you are a good candidate for in-office teeth whitening.