Teeth Whitening Options Abound at Park Dental

June is the month of weddings, graduations and the official start of summer. These events prompt some people to think of their smiles, in particular, how white and bright it is … or isn’t.

While having sparkling pearly whites may seem like a more recent trend, teeth whitening has actually been around for centuries. In fact, the ancient Egyptians started whitening their teeth more than 4,000 years ago with a mixture of ground stone and wine vinegar. Fast forward to 2017, our techniques at Park Dental are much more advanced and yield far greater results in regard to appearance and health of your teeth.

When a patient comes to my office seeking a whitening treatment, we present them with three options. First, we offer the option of making custom trays via impressions and dispensing a product called Opalescence PF gel, which can be applied to the trays at home and worn for varying periods of time, either day and night. This comfortable treatment can be repeated until the desired level of whitening is achieved.

For at-home treatments we also offer Opalescence Go, in which the patient wears a preformed tray that already contains the whitening agent. While Opalescence Go utilizes “one-size-fits-all” trays that do not fit teeth as well as the custom trays, it is less expensive, does not require impressions or lab time, and yet is very effective in whitening teeth. Both methods visibly whiten teeth for most patients in approximately 5-10 days.

For those who want dramatically brighter teeth immediately, we also offer an in-office treatment known as Opalescence Boost. While this option is more expensive, we are able to beautifully and safely whiten your teeth in less than one hour. This is a great option for anyone who needs an instantly whiter smile.

Occasionally, I have patients who voice concerns over the safety of teeth whitening. Let me assure you that our whitening treatments are indeed safe. Compared to many over-the-counter products, our formulations have potassium nitrate and fluoride, which not only reduce sensitivity, but also strengthen teeth.

While our teeth whitening works in the majority of cases, it is always important to see a dentist before using any product. For example, restorations such as crowns and fillings may have to be replaced in order to match the newly whitened teeth if they are in the esthetic zone. Some cases involving intrinsically stained or naturally aged teeth may also not effectively respond to whitening agents.

If you’d like to learn more about teeth whitening at Park Dental, visit our teeth-whitening page. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact a Park Dental office and set up an appointment. We can discuss your goals and budget, and recommend a solution that suits you. My colleagues and I can’t wait to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.