Teeth Whitening: Is It Really Possible to Have a Brighter Smile?

If you have tried to brighten your teeth with store-bought toothpastes or strips and saw insignificant results, you might think that removing permanent stains is not possible. Fortunately, professional teeth whitening services provide dramatic results in about an hour’s time, that boosts patients’ confidence and improves appearance. Dr. Gardner is proud to offer Zoom! in-office whitening to patients in our area.

Why are over the counter products ineffective?

Store-bought products are ineffective because they do not contain a high enough concentration of whitening agents to remove stains that have developed below the enamel surface of teeth. Instead, over the counter whitening toothpastes, rinses, and strips lighten surface stains with abrasives and mild bleaching ingredients.

How is professional teeth whitening different?

Since professional teeth whitening occurs in a clinical setting, North Shore Restorative & Implant Dentistry can safely utilize ingredients that are more potent without harming teeth or gums. In-office whitening involves applying protective gauze and liquid dam to the soft tissues in the mouth such as the inside of cheeks and along the gums. Then a prescription-strength bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. Once this is complete, the special dental laser that emits a concentration of light will be placed over the teeth. This laser will deepen and accelerate the whitening process. The procedure takes about 45-60 minutes and during treatment, patients relax in our comfortable chairs.

What type of results can I expect?

Our team will measure the effectiveness of in-office whitening with shade indicators before and after treatment so that patients have a visual aid to see how well their treatment worked. While every patient’s situation is unique, most patients enjoy a smile that is about eight shades brighter after professional teeth whitening treatments.

I’m interested in teeth whitening, what should I do next?

If you are interested in whitening your smile, we welcome you to discuss this with our team at your next cleaning or examination. You can also call North Shore Restorative & Implant Dentistry for a one-on-one consultation with our dentist, Dr. Gardner.