Posted: February 11, 2020
There are methods of teeth whitening that can increase tooth sensitivity and irritate soft oral tissue. There are some aggressive forms of teeth whitening that may even damage the enamel or increase risks for various oral health problems. However, by and large, both in-office and at-home teeth whitening are safe and effective ways to brighten your smile.
Teeth Whitening at Forestream Dental
We offer the Opalescence line of tooth whitening products to achieve optimal results with minimal risks. The bleaching agent in Opalescence is hydrogen peroxide, which works to break down stains and restore a brilliant luster to the teeth. The products we use are formulated with potassium nitrate to reduce tooth sensitivity along with fluoride to actually strengthen the enamel of the teeth. This allows our teeth whitening services to lighten teeth several shades without compromising patient comfort or safety.
Dr. Evola offers:
- Opalescence Boost. Fast, safe, and comfortable, in-office whitening with Boost requires no heat activation, making it much more comfortable than other chairside tooth whitening options. With this option, teeth can be lightened significantly in just 60 minutes.
- Opalescence Treswhite Supreme. These disposable trays make at-home whitening convenient and easy. Worn for 30 to 60 minutes a day, Treswhite Supreme can lighten your teeth several shades over the course of two to four weeks.
- Take-Home Whitening Kits. With the same professional strength solution provided with Treswhite Supreme, take-home kits with customized application trays go one step further to ensure consistent whitening of every tooth in your mouth. Your personalized application tray can be used for years, reducing waste while improving results.
Take-home kits, including Treswhite Supreme, are often used in combination with in-office whitening with Boost. This allows take-home options to serve as touch-up and maintenance, and can extend teeth whitening results for months or even years.
How Many Shades?
When anticipating teeth whitening results, it is important to remember that the natural color of teeth is off-white – similar to bone. Bleaching to extremes will produce an unnatural and overly-enhanced look. Over-bleaching can also increase sensitivity and the risks of enamel damage.
Some patients may experience a significant lightening of the teeth with topical teeth whitening – up to ten shades – but a realistic expectation is anywhere from two to six shades lighter. Bear in mind, even one to two shades can have a profound impact on the appearance of your smile.
Deeper stains and more severe discoloration may benefit from dental veneers over topical whitening. During your initial consultation, Dr. Evola can discuss this in greater detail.
To schedule your tooth whitening consultation at Forestream Dental, please call 716-656-8686 today. Located in Depew, we serve Buffalo, Orchard Park, and all surrounding areas of New York.
