In-office whitening significantly changes the color of your teeth within a short time.
Dr.Cirstea or Dr.Pistol will use a hydrogen peroxide gel of the proper and safe concentration, while protecting your gums at the same time. The whitening procedure takes place typically in 15-20 minute intervals with a maximum of four intervals per session.
Patients with more persistent stains may return for another session after two weeks. The entire whitening procedure is completed within one hour-one hour and a half.
Preparation for treatment will require the isolation of the teeth, ensuring that the gums and lips are covered to prevent contact with the bleaching solution.
Some patients may experience sensitivity to touch or temperature, other patients may have slight shooting pain. The sensitivity is most likely to occur in patients who have gum recession. Typically the sensitivity lasts only a few days but some patients may experience it for a prolonged period of time, up to a month.
In these cases, Dr.Cirstea or Dr.Pistol will often recommend using sensitive toothpaste.
Bonding restorations, veneers, crowns remain unaffected by whitening, while the color of the natural teeth will change. Prior to whitening, Dr.Cirstea or Dr.Pistol will have to perform a complete dental exam to ensure that your gums and teeth are healthy.
Patients considering dental veneers or composite bonding will likely be advised to undergo whitening before, in order to achieve the best match between restorations and the natural teeth.
The full results of the whitening can be seen after about two weeks after treatment. In addition any restorations previously performed, will likely need replacement as they will not whiten. Whitening it is not a permanent solution to tooth discoloration and will not prevent new stains from forming.
Only proper oral hygiene can keep stains and discoloration away.