Teeth whitening has become an increasingly popular cosmetic dental procedure for those seeking a brighter, more appealing smile. However, many people often wonder if the process is painful or damaging to their teeth. The simple answer is that professional teeth whitening procedures are safe and usually painless when performed by a skilled dentist.
The Teeth Whitening Process
Professional teeth whitening involves using bleaching agents that break down staining particles in the teeth into smaller pieces. This makes them less concentrated and lightens up your overall enamel shade significantly.
Over-the-counter products available at drugstores don’t have the potency levels or longevity duration effects after application as whitening treatment from a dentist. This is because they aren’t customized specifically towards individual needs.
Dr. Ira Goldberg from Morris County Dental Associates, located in Succasunna, NJ, provides various options according to his patients’ preferences. Each of these options will be safe for patients to use and will minimize potentially uncomfortable side effects:
- The Opalescence “Go” system is designed for at-home wear without requiring any custom trays or professional assistance. This will reduce wait time at your dentist’s office and still comes with specific instructions for its usage.
- At-home teeth whitening trays involve a dentist creating customized trays from teeth impressions, which are then filled with a bleaching agent and worn over several weeks.
- Max KOR involves an initial two-week at-home treatment followed by a single in-office session for optimal smile enhancement.
- Ultra KOR includes one in-office treatment using whitening trays, three to four weeks of at-home nighttime treatments, another final office visit for stronger teeth-whitening potential.
- KOR Tetracycline targets dental stains that did not respond to previous whitening attempts and entails a conditioning process at the dentist’s office followed by six to eight weeks of home-based night applications and one last clinical setting session.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening procedures from your dentist do not damage your teeth or gums. The bleaching agents are formulated with potential tooth sensitivity issues in mind. This ensures a painless experience while yielding long-lasting results.
Store-bought alternatives to whitening treatment may not be as effective due their lower concentration levels. Despite the reduced number of bleaching agents, the process might increase the risk of gum irritation or tooth sensitivity. This is because a dentist can fine-tune the application of bleaching products to ensure an even finish as well as avoid sensitive areas of the mouth.
Plus, a dentist will evaluate your smile to ensure they offer the best cosmetic dental solution for your needs during a consultation appointment. They can identify the types of discoloration on your smile and recommend the most successful way to get rid of the tooth stains.
Not all dental stains will respond to bleaching agents. For deeper discoloration, the dentist might offer veneers or bonding to help you achieve the brighter smile of your dreams. Start your teeth whitening process by calling your cosmetic dentist to book an appointment today.