As probably the most popular cosmetic procedure in dentistry today, See Me Smile dental has a wealth of experience in teeth whitening.
Chances are, a good number of your friends may have sought whitening at one point or another. People love it because it can be an instant white boost to your smile and your self-image.
Though brushing your teeth every day remains the key to maintaining healthy, white teeth, sometimes a quick whitening procedure can give you a great boost.
The basic process involves bleaching with a simple chemical; carbamide peroxide is commonly used. The product is placed on the enamel, and depending on the method, the teeth are whitened over a period of anywhere from several days or weeks to as little as an hour or less.
There are two main types of whitening which you may be considering:
Home teeth whitening kits: These are off-the-shelf products, either mouthpieces or strips, which you place on your teeth every night for a week or two to move up several shades of white.
In-office whitening: At See Me Smile Dental, we can whiten your smile dramatically in as little as 30 minutes to an hour. Using a professional grade procedure, we can do in one or two visits what an at-home kit may take weeks for.
How Many Shades of White?
Different types of bleaching have varying degrees of success for different people. The Vitapan Classic Shade guide defines 16 different shades of white, generally accepted as the standard in judging improvement. Depending on how many shades and how quickly you need your teeth whitened, different options will be recommended.
Note that yellowed teeth are affected most positively by bleaching procedures, whereas brown or discoloring can cause more difficulty.
Habits like smoking or drinking lots of coffee can stain your teeth, so for maximum whiteness exercise those habits in moderation. And remember that whitening is no substitute for brushing every day and night!
