Our office has two different options for tooth whitening, Zoom! whitening or take-home trays. Bleaching can usually make your teeth 2 shades lighter, or more. Exceptions can be teeth with thin enamel or grey teeth. Please contact us for more information about whitening.
Zoom! Whitening
The process for Zoom! whitening involves an initial consultation appointment in order to take impressions and give you a fluoride desensitizing gel. You will use the gel 1 to 2 weeks before treatment to strengthen the teeth. At the day of the appointment, we will use a high intensity light to activate a strong bleaching gel. This takes about an hour and gives you immediate results. You will then use another desensitizing agent in trays to avoid sensitive teeth.
Tray Whitening
Tray whitening also involves a consultation appointment to take impressions of your mouth in order to make custom trays. These trays will then be used for 1 hour every other day to all night every night depending on your sensitivity level. We also recommend fluoride gel to keep teeth from getting sensitive during this process.
If you already have bleaching trays, here are instructions on how to use them:
The following instructions provided by the makers of Opalescence, Ultradent.
1. Load gel into your bleaching tray. Use 1/2 to 1 full syringe.
2. Brush teeth, then insert tray. Adapt tray sides to teeth.
3. Remove excess gel with soft toothbrush or clean finger. Rinse twice, do not swallow rinse.
4. Follow dentist’s instructions. If significant sensitivity occurs, stop treatment and consult dentist.
5. Clean tray with cold tap water and soft brush. Store in case provided.
-Precautions-
- Do not use household bleach to whiten teeth.
- It is recommended that pregnant or lactating women do not bleach.
- Keep gel out of heat/sunlight. Do not freeze.
- Tooth fillings and crowns do not respond to bleaching.
- Foods and juices high in acid may cause sensitivity
- If you have questions about treatment, please contact your dentist.
- Do not use tobacco products or eat while bleaching.
Please click herefor further instructions from Ultradent if you have any questions (may take extra time to download).
