Teeth Whitening - Fast and Effective Way to Brighten Teeth and Boost Your Confidence

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a fast and effective way to brighten teeth and boost your confidence. Most adult teeth erupt white but over time they can become darkened from foods, drinks, tobacco use and natural aging.

Our Louisville cosmetic dentists offer reliable professional teeth whitening louisville that lightens discoloration of the enamel and dentin. Unlike over-the-counter strips and gel, a dentist’s bleaching solution is safe and effective.

Professional In-Office Whitening

Discolored and yellow teeth are a common problem caused by certain foods, drinks, tobacco use, medications or the natural aging process. Whitening treatments provide a quick and easy way to improve the appearance of your smile. The results are dramatic, and a whiter smile can boost confidence and may even enhance career success.

During a professional whitening session (also known as chairside bleaching), a dentist applies a whitening gel to the surfaces of your teeth that contain a high concentration of peroxide. The whitening agent is activated by a special light or laser. In-office whitening can be performed in one or more 1-hour sessions. To protect your gum tissues from the whitening agent, a rubber shield or protective gel may be placed over your teeth prior to treatment.

The professional in-office whitening method provides fast and dramatic results with the assurance of expert supervision. At-home kits offer convenience and affordability, but they require consistent use over a period of time to achieve similar results.

Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays

Unlike whitening strips that only whiten the front of your teeth, tray bleaching lightens all of your natural teeth. The process involves wearing custom-fitted trays filled with peroxide-based whitening gel. This enables the peroxide to penetrate the surface of your teeth whitening louisville and break down stains, producing hydroxyradicals that lighten tooth enamel. The trays are worn for two to four hours each day for one or two weeks, during which time you will notice significant whiteness. The trays are then kept for periodic touch-ups as needed.

The trays used in this type of professional whitening typically contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which are proven bleaching agents. Depending on the strength of the solution and your compliance with treatment, results can last up to a few months. Dr. Shorten is also proud to offer the acclaimed ZOOM! in-office whitening, which can make your smile multiple shades whiter in just over an hour.

Home Whitening Kits

Whitening kits are convenient and cost-effective, providing you with a brighter smile without the expense of a visit to your dentist. These at-home whitening treatments generally consist of trays or strips that contain a peroxide-based whitening gel. The gel may be applied directly to the teeth or placed into a custom-fitted tray that's worn for 30-60 minutes on a daily basis.

The whitening solution typically contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which penetrates the enamel and reverses tooth discoloration. The kit may also include a desensitizing gel to help prevent teeth sensitivity during treatment.

When using a home whitening kit, follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Whitening products should be used sparingly because too much whitening can damage the enamel, says Dr. Messina. For best results, you should do a spot-check to see if your teeth are whiter after using the kit.

Zoom!® Whitening

Using professional-grade bleaching technology, Zoom whitens teeth by up to 8 shades in just one short in-office treatment session. The procedure begins with the dentist covering your gums and lips before applying a hydrogen peroxide-based whitening gel to the teeth. The specialized Zoom LED light is then used to activate the whitening agent and break down stains that are embedded in the enamel.

Once the teeth are brighter, the whitening agent is rinsed off and the dentist applies a fluoride gel to protect the tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity. You will also be given a whitening kit to use at home that includes custom-fitted whitening trays and whitening toothpaste to keep your teeth white.

To maintain your whitening results, it is important to avoid foods and beverages that stain the teeth such as coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. Brushing your teeth regularly and following a regular schedule of dental checkups can also help prolong the whitening effects.