Teeth Whitening In Warrensburg And Oak Grove, MO
Brighten Your Smile At Ridgeview Family Dental
Everyone wants sparkling, bright white teeth. Unfortunately, the foods we eat, the beverages we drink, and even natural aging all conspire to make our teeth yellow and dingy. If the state of your smile is hurting your confidence and ability to socialize normally, cosmetic dental treatment can be just what you need to add the luster back to your smile. For stained teeth, our cosmetic dentists may recommend a teeth whitening treatment. Teeth whitening is a non-invasive treatment that lifts stains from teeth. We achieve this by using a specialized dental-grade bleaching agent.
At Ridgeview Family Dental, we offer both in-office and at-home options to help you achieve a dazzling white smile. Thanks to our convenient locations in Warrensburg and Oak Grove we’re proud to serve Missouri patients from Grain Valley, Odessa, Bates City, and the surrounding areas.
Candidacy For Teeth Whitening
Every person’s tooth enamel is a different shade. The porosity of enamel also varies among people, making some teeth more prone to staining. The staining that changes month to month, and responds well to teeth whitening, is staining in the enamel layer of the teeth.
Professional teeth whitening techniques can achieve some degree of improvement for most people with dull or discolored teeth. The best candidates for this treatment have good oral health free from oral injection and signs of decay. Our expert cosmetic dentists will perform a thorough examination before conducting a whitening treatment and, if necessary, treat any cavities and gum inflammation before moving on to cosmetic enhancement. The presence of tooth decay and gum disease can exacerbate the sensitivity that may occur throughout the stain-lifting process.
There can also be staining in the dentin, or the interior of the tooth. These stains can be the result of age, trauma to the teeth, or taking certain medications such as tetracycline, usually as a youth. This deeper staining cannot be addressed by whitening, as it is an internal issue. In these cases, porcelain veneers may be a better option to cover the deep staining.
Teeth Whitening Options At Ridgeview Family Dental
At Ridgeview Family Dental, we offer different types of whitening that both achieve a similar degree of whitening, however, involve a different amount of treatment time. These whitening options include:
- In-office Zoom Whitening
- At-home whitening
In-Office Teeth Whitening
During your in-office teeth whitening, Dr. Young or Dr. Kingsolver will place a protective barrier over your gums, to avoid contact with the whitening agent. Then, they apply the whitening gel to the teeth and use the Zoom light. The gel and the Zoom light work together to break down stains and discolorations. We will repeat this process in four sessions that last fifteen minutes each. In addition, we include custom whitening trays for at-home touch-ups. Zoom whitening can make your teeth up to eight shades lighter.
Teeth Whitening At Home
If you choose an at-home whitening technique, we begin by taking impressions of your teeth to create customized whitening trays. These custom trays ensure a tight, yet comfortable fit to maximize the contact between your teeth and the whitening gel. When your trays are ready, we provide you with syringes of carbamide peroxide gel, which is a weaker strength than our in-office gel. Additionally, we give you thorough instructions on the home whitening procedure.
Patients should wear the trays for 30-60 minutes per day for approximately two weeks or until desired results are achieved.
How Teeth Whitening Treatments Compare
The availability and price of store-bought whitening products may seem appealing, but it’s necessary to evaluate how much improvement you wish to achieve before deciding which approach may be best. Professional teeth whitening works faster and lifts the vibrancy of teeth more dramatically since the in-office gel is more concentrated than what is available commercially. The number of teeth whitening treatments each patient needs depends on the preferred type of whitening and the extent of discoloration.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products are not formulated to achieve deep whitening. If your teeth are dull, you may see good results from home treatment. If your teeth are discolored, a commercial whitener is not likely to provide you with the desired results.
Professional home-whitening treatment is effective at removing all levels of staining, from dullness to discoloration. Results occur gradually over a few weeks as patients apply the whitening gel for a short period every day.
Professional in-office whitening provides immediate results in a single visit. The expedited whitening process leads to noticeable rejuvenation that may only require touch-ups. For severe staining, a round of professional home treatment may follow in-office treatment.
Teeth Whitening Results
No whitening system is permanent. If you feel your teeth are becoming stained again, you can simply purchase at-home whitening syringes for touch up. Good home hygiene makes a difference in the amount of time that whitening will last. If you avoid certain foods and beverages, rinse your mouth with water after meals and staining beverages, drink through a straw, brush for two minutes twice daily, and come in for twice-yearly professional cleanings it will aid in keeping your teeth their whitest.
If you choose in-office teeth whitening, you will see impressive results in about an hour. You will leave your appointment with radiance and a new appreciation for your smile. Professional home whitening is a gradual process, but most patients begin to see a lift in discoloration within their first few applications of high-quality whitening gel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth whitening is one of the most conservative cosmetic treatments to enhance the smile and is not invasive. This means you won’t feel any pain during the treatment. However, because the professional whitening gel seeps into the pores of enamel which helps the bleaching agents work properly, some patients may experience sensitivity following treatment. If your teeth are generally sensitive we can suggest strategies to improve your teeth whitening process.
We recommend that patients at least speak with our Ridgeview Family Dental dentists and complete a thorough dental examination before scheduling professional whitening treatment or purchasing a home-whitening kit. Even over-the-counter teeth whitening strips can create sensitivity and gum irritation if the teeth or gums are worn down or inflamed before treatment begins.
Dental restorations are made of high-quality porcelain or resin material and shaded to match the color of natural enamel at the time of placement. If you whiten your teeth, only the enamel will lighten. This could result in your restorations, such as bonding, veneers, or crowns, appearing darker. During your consultation and examination, we observe the predicted contrast between restorations and your natural teeth after a whitening treatment. If needed, restorations can be replaced to maximize the beauty of your smile.
Teeth whitening, when used in moderation, is safe and can be repeated periodically without causing damage to teeth. Dr. Young and Dr. Kingsolver will confirm that teeth whitening is appropriate for the level and type of staining each patient has, as well as the thickness of the enamel and their general oral health before proceeding.
While we do offer payment options and take a wide variety of insurances, insurance does not typically cover cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening. However, there may be an allowance with a flex spending or health savings account.
Beautify Your Smile Today
If you want to see a dramatic improvement in your smile, and noticeable results sooner rather than later, we would love to discuss your teeth whitening options! We proudly serve Grain Valley, Odessa, Bates City, and the surrounding areas thanks to our convenient locations in Warrensburg and Oak Grove, MO. Call our office at (660) 747-9117 to schedule an appointment or, if you prefer, fill out our convenient contact form at the bottom of this page and one of our dedicated staff members will reach out to you.