Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening has become one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry, and for good reasons. This safe, effective, and affordable procedure can brighten your teeth by several shades, restoring the youthful radiance of your smile.
While many whitening products are available on the market, their results can sometimes be disappointing. Professional whitening, whether performed in a clinic or at home, guarantees impressive results with a natural appearance. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, the results can last for years.
Oliveira Dental Clinic offers various professional whitening options. We highly recommend starting with a dental examination to assess the condition of your teeth and guide you to the most suitable whitening treatment. A preliminary dental cleaning is also necessary to achieve optimal results.
In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening, often called “chairside whitening,” is performed by a dentist or dental professional in a clinical setting. This method uses LED light to brighten teeth in less time. At the end of the session, you will receive custom whitening trays and the necessary products to complete the treatment at home.
Procedure Overview:
- Initial Consultation
Before starting, your dentist will evaluate the condition of your teeth to ensure they are healthy and suitable for whitening. A dental cleaning will also be performed to remove tartar and plaque.
- Taking Impressions
Your dentist will take a full impression of your teeth to create custom whitening trays. Photographs will also be taken to track progress. This step can be done during the initial appointment.
- Chairside Whitening Sessions
Gum Protection: Your gums and lips will be protected with rubber barriers or gel.
Gel Application: A concentrated whitening gel is applied to your teeth and activated with LED light. The gel is typically left in place for 15 minutes.
Repetition: Depending on the level of discoloration and desired whiteness, the steps may be repeated up to 4 times, with 3 to 4 sessions of 15 minutes each.
- Results
Results are often visible immediately after the treatment, although temporary tooth sensitivity may occur.
- Provision of Whitening Trays
After the treatment, you will receive a product kit with the trays made from your impressions, including a whitening syringe to stabilize the shade and a desensitizing agent to alleviate tooth sensitivity.
In-office teeth whitening offers faster and more visible results compared to at-home whitening, all under the supervision of a dental health professional.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
At-home teeth whitening involves using special products that you apply at home. Unlike in-office treatment, it is done according to the instructions provided with the products.
Treatment Process:
- Initial Consultation
Before the treatment, your dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth and perform a cleaning if necessary.
- Taking Impressions
A full impression of your teeth will be taken to create custom whitening trays. Photographs of your teeth may also be taken.
- Provision of Whitening Trays
At the next appointment, you will receive a product kit and the trays. The kit will contain whitening syringes and a desensitizing agent.
- Application
At home, you fill the trays with the whitening gel and wear them according to the instructions, typically for one to two weeks.
- Repetition
The process can be repeated if necessary to achieve the desired level of whiteness.
- Results
Results vary, but noticeable whitening is often observed after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment.
Before starting at-home teeth whitening, it is important to consult a dentist to discuss the available options and choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.