Teeth Whitening Options for a Brighter Smile

Teeth whitening is a quick, simple way to improve your smile. It is also the most common cosmetic dentistry treatment option patients choose.

But there are also many over-the-counter teeth whitening options, so how do you know which one is best for you?

At Grand Lake Dental, Dr. Karl Jobst offers in-office and custom take-home treatments that are far superior to anything you can get over the counter. While it can be more expensive than what you can buy online or in a store, you may find the benefits far outweigh the additional cost.

The results of teeth whitening treatments vary based on numerous factors. For instance, the product you choose, the level of staining, and the condition of the teeth. And even with everything else equal, results can also vary from person to person.

Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, Dr. Jobst offers customized professional teeth whitening. Because each person’s smile is different, he tailors treatments based on your unique needs and desires to achieve the perfect shade for you. 

In-Office Teeth Whitening

For in-office teeth whitening, Dr. Jobst chose Zoom!® products due to their superiority and safety.

An in-office Zoom! treatment reverses stains from drinks and food, tobacco, aging, and even some stains from medications. It can give you a smile up to eight shades brighter in just one hour. And just as impressive is that it whitens teeth without altering the chemistry of the enamel or causing the sensitivity most products cause. 

That means you can achieve a dramatically improved smile for the upcoming wedding, job interview, or special event during your lunchtime rather than wearing strips or trays each day for weeks.

The first step involves a professional cleaning and dental examination. This allows us to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and provides optimum benefits from the treatment. 

We begin the whitening process by protecting your lips and gums from the bleaching agent to ensure a comfortable experience.

After applying the gel, we use a special activator light to allow the bleach to go deep into the teeth, eliminating deep stains and enhancing the whitening effect. 

In an hour or less, you will be out of the dental chair with a dazzling white smile.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

While our patients who receive in-office teeth whitening also enjoy the benefits of our Zoom! take-home products, some patients opt for the take-home option alone.

Zoom! at-home products are much stronger than anything you can get over the counter, so they are much more effective at whitening teeth.

For application of the take-home gel, we will fabricate custom trays by taking an impression of your mouth. Similar to retainers, these trays fit your teeth perfectly to ensure proper delivery of the bleaching product.

Having custom trays is important, as the one-size-fits-all generic trays you can buy online or in stores are not made to fit just you. When the tray doesn’t fit perfectly, the bleaching gel gets on your gums, causing irritation and sensitivity.

A generic tray can also cause unequal distribution of the whitening product, which can leave you with unevenly whitened teeth. A custom tray allows for an even distribution that keeps the gel exactly where it needs to be.

Once you receive your custom trays, you can begin whitening your teeth at home. Simply put the gel into the trays (we will give you complete instructions) and wear them while relaxing or doing chores.

In addition, we offer strips and pens for touching up spots as needed.

Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?

Not everyone is a candidate for teeth whitening. Ideal candidates are adults with healthy teeth and gums.

Some general guidelines to know if you are a candidate include:

• Not pregnant or nursing
  
• At least 16 years of age
  
• No active gum disease or recession
  
• No active dental decay
  
• Not allergic to peroxide

Also, if you have restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or fillings, bleaching agents will not affect their color. This can give you uneven shading in your smile, especially if the restorations are in the front.

If you have restorations or highly discolored teeth, such as blue, black, or grey, you may want to considerporcelain veneers instead.

It’s Time for a Brighter Smile

If you are interested in the best teeth whitening option available, look no farther than Grand Lake Dental. Whether you prefer the convenience of your own home or want the full treatment, you can trust Dr. Jobst and his friendly, caring team.