Teeth Whitening in Pacific Palisades, CA
Bright, white teeth are one of the most noticeable signs of a beautiful smile.
Frequently drinking beverages like coffee, sodas, and wine or smoking can cause yellowing and discoloration of the tooth over time and leave you with a lackluster smile. Actually, most food and drink we consume contribute to a culminating staining effect on our teeth. Along with a healthy oral hygiene routine, in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatments can help to brighten and whiten the teeth.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening will work best on patients with mild to moderate tooth discoloration. A dental exam will be needed to ensure you are the right candidate.
Teeth whitening treatments are used to treat discoloration; they cannot restore the health of the teeth. If the stain is coming from a health condition within the tooth/teeth, additional dental procedures may be needed to provide long-lasting results.
Teeth whitening methods do not affect tooth-colored crowns and fillings.
Candidates for teeth whitening:
- Have good overall dental health
- Have no allergies to teeth whitening agents, such as peroxide
- Are at least 16 years of age
- Do not have significant tooth sensitivity
How Can I Get My Teeth Whitened?
The Palisades Dentists offer a variety of in-office and at-home teeth whitening options.
Opalescence™
Opalescence™ uses a specially made whitening gel to treat tooth discoloration. The gel is placed into a tray and left on the teeth. The gel slowly releases peroxide, allowing it the time to penetrate the enamel and whiten teeth. Opalescence™ can be used at home, or within an in-office visit.
KoR®
KoR® uses a unique Dual-Activated™, Tri-Barrel Hydremide® Peroxide formula and delivery system to whiten teeth. There are several strengths and methods available for KoR® teeth whitening; however, every method involves the use of trays, either alone, or in combination with in-office whitening treatments.
Philips Zoom! Teeth Whitening
Philips Zoom! uses LED light-accelerated technology to whiten the teeth. This advanced method is more aggressive and can whiten the teeth up to eight shades in a single treatment. Philips Zoom! offers a combination of at-home bleaching gel treatments and in-office advanced light treatments.
"...all in all a great experience in their office, both during and after any procedure."
What Is My Recovery Like After Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a painless, non-invasive treatment. There is no downtime associated with this procedure unless there are any complications or allergies to the lightening gel formula. Some sensitivity is common but can be alleviated with topical products that your dentist and hygienist recommend.
When Will I See My Results?
Results from teeth whitening start to become visible immediately after the treatment for mild to moderate cases. If there is severe discoloration, whitening procedures may need to be repeated—and maintained at home—over time to achieve optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
How long will a teeth whitening appointment take?
On average, teeth whitening takes about 45 minutes. However, you can expect your dentist to brief you on what the procedure entails beforehand. You can take the opportunity to also ask any question about teeth whitening. This session will take about 15 minutes.
Therefore, you can expect the entire appointment to last one hour or so.
Can teeth whitening damage my teeth?
Not at The Palisades Dentists! Of course, there are many teeth whitening products on the market. Some are safe, while others can potentially damage your teeth.
However, if you choose to get your teeth whitened at The Palisades Dentists, you can rest assured you will get a brighter smile without putting your teeth in danger. This is because we use teeth whitening products and methods that have been proven safe in the short and long run.
Will scaling be necessary before teeth whitening?
We are going to remove stains and plaque during a teeth whitening treatment. However, it is worth noting that teeth whitening cannot be done as a substitute for routine scaling. Therefore, if there is visible tartar on the surface of your teeth, then you might need to go for scaling and even polishing before teeth whitening can be done.
How effective is teeth whitening?
The effectiveness of teeth whitening depends on a number of factors, including the extent of staining and the whitening methods used. Therefore, it is hard to tell exactly how your teeth will look after the whitening treatment. However, you can expect them to be roughly eight shades whiter than they currently look. Therefore, although we may not know exactly how your teeth will look after the procedure, you can expect them to become significantly whiter and brighter.
Are teeth whitening treatments painful?
Of course, you can expect some discomfort during the procedure. The level of sensitivity may also increase temporarily after teeth whitening. However, the process is generally painless, and the mild discomfort you might experience will go away after a short while.
When should I consider teeth whitening treatments?
Teeth whitening treatments can be chosen at any time to restore a bright smile. However, many patients choose to invest in cosmetic teeth whitening after other general or cosmetic dental treatments, including porcelain veneers, dental implants or other tooth restorations, and laser dentistry treatments. This ensures a complete smile makeover and an even-colored bite.
Want to Learn More?
If you are interested in teeth whitening and would like to learn more about your options in Pacific Palisades, California, please feel free to contact the Palisades Dentists at (310) 459-2303 or fill out this form to schedule an appointment.