You only get one chance to make a first impression, and one of the first things people notice is your smile. Many smiles can be enhanced simply by bleaching your teeth. However, over the counter tooth whitening products may fall short of providing the level of whitening that is needed.

How is professional tooth whitening better than using over the counter tooth whitening products?
Over the counter, at-home tooth whitening products contain ingredients that will whiten your teeth to make them brighter and whiter. While many of these kits do work, they will only work to a certain degree and can often take some time to see results. For some people, this method can be difficult to apply to the teeth. At Towler & Youngs Family Dentistry, we take impressions and fabricate a custom tray with a built-in reservoir to deliver the whitening product more efficiently. We DO NOT use laser type bleaching due to the onset of increased sensitivity at the time of application. We have found our method provides better results and less sensitivity over time.

Is tooth whitening safe?
Yes, modern tooth whitening procedures are extremely safe and cause no damage to your teeth when performed by a properly trained professional.

Can I get a tooth whitening procedure if I’ve had dental work done previously?
For the most part, tooth whitening will not affect any previous dental work that you have had done including crowns, veneers and other procedures. When going for your whitening procedure, you should always make the dentist aware of any previous work you have had completed.

Will the professional tooth whitening procedure be painful?
No. The procedures used in our office offer a non-invasive technique. You may however, experience some sensitivity to your gums, or tooth sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods, immediately following the procedure, however this is generally mild and fades away after some time. Using an over the counter fluoride rinse will help decrease the sensitivity, almost immediately.

Will professional tooth whitening provide me with permanent results?
No. You will be able to achieve dramatic results from professional tooth whitening, however they will not last forever. After your tooth whitening procedure, you will need to practice good oral hygiene to keep your teeth clean, and possibly use an at home product for regular touch ups.