TEETH WHITENING

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that aims to lighten the color of a person's teeth by removing stains and discoloration caused by various factors such as aging, smoking, certain foods and drinks, and poor oral hygiene. There are several methods for teeth whitening, including in-office treatments or at-home kits. At Sandy Dental we offer both kinds of whitening. 

Our in-office whitening is performed using Zoom. Zoom whitening is a type of teeth whitening procedure that uses a special light to activate a bleaching gel applied to the teeth. It is a popular method of teeth whitening because it can produce dramatic results in a relatively short amount of time, often in just one appointment. The Zoom whitening procedure typically involves applying a protective barrier to the gums and lips, then applying the whitening gel to the teeth. The Zoom light is then directed at the teeth for a specified period of time to activate the bleaching agent and accelerate the whitening process. The procedure usually takes about an hour to complete, and patients may notice their teeth becoming several shades whiter immediately afterward. However, it is important to note that Zoom whitening may not be suitable for everyone, which is why a consultation is always required.

Our take-home teeth whitening kits are custom made for each patient. On the patient's first appointment a scan or impression of the mouth is taken, which is then sent to a lab. The lab makes a custom-built tray (similar to an aligner or a nightguard) that comfortably fits the patient's mouth. The patient applies a special solution to the tray following provided instructions for use, and then wears the tray for a specified amount of time. The process is repeated as needed until desired results are achieved.

Here are some important considerations:

1. It is important to note that teeth whitening does not change the color of fillings or crowns, so it may be necessary to replace these after whitening to match the new color of the natural teeth.

2. Immediately after whitening, teeth are very sensitive to staining, so its important to follow a special diet that avoids certain drinks and foods, such as wine, coffee, tea, red sauces, etc. These special instructions are most important within the first day or week of whitening (depending on the type of whitening performed). Thereafter, sensitivity to stains does begin to decline, but the patient will always need to maintain their results through diligence, such as rinsing with water after drinking coffee or tea.