Teeth Whitening – Greensboro, GA
Reveal a brighter, whiter smile with professional whitening
Your diet, medications, and time can all change the color of your teeth, but restoring that healthy, youthful shade of white you had as a child is possible with professional whitening. Whether you choose in-office or take-home trays, you can expect to remove up to eight shades of discoloration from your smile, boosting your confidence and taking years off your appearance.
Why Choose PRACTICE For Teeth Whitening?
- #1 Both in-office and take-home kits available
- #2 Flexible financing accepted through CareCredit
- #3 Customizable to your ideal shade of white
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you have stained tooth enamel from medication, food and beverage stains, or simply due to age, you may be a good candidate for teeth whitening.
There are two different types of tooth stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains occur within the dentin of your teeth and are typically caused by things like medications or trauma. These are often very difficult to remove on your own. Extrinsic stains are caused by external factors such as your diet or bad oral habits like smoking. These can often be removed by brushing and flossing, but over time they can change the color of your teeth and cannot be eliminated by brushing alone.
The good news is that professional whitening can help with both types of stains, helping improve not just your appearance, but your confidence and self-esteem. Whether you have an upcoming special event, want a competitive edge in the business world, or you simply would like to restore your youthful smile, professional whitening is a great choice for almost anyone!
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
There are a variety of different methods available to whiten your teeth, from over-the-counter options like toothpaste, white strips, or gels, to professional treatments such as in-office laser whitening or custom take-home trays. Professional whitening differs because it is customized specifically for you by your dentist to achieve your unique smile goals.
At Lake Oconee Dentistry, we use KoR Ultra for our in-office treatments, and KoR take-home whitening kits for our refillable take-home trays. Both options get the same beautiful results, however in-office whitening is much faster, while our take-home trays can be refilled as much as you’d like.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home whitening is an excellent solution for patients looking to whiten their teeth in the comfort of their own home, on their own time. Unlike over-the-counter whitening products that could take months to yield results, take-home treatment from your dentist takes about two weeks to achieve your desired shade of white. Furthermore, because the active ingredients are customized specifically for you by your dentist, you can expect less sensitivity than OTC products. Plus, your custom trays are yours to keep, and you can even purchase refills from your dentist for periodic touch ups.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Do you have an upcoming special event you need to look your best for? In-office whitening can lighten your teeth up to eight shades in just one treatment that lasts about an hour. This treatment uses the same, safe, effective active ingredients as take-home kits, but with the powerful addition of light can achieve your desired results much faster, reducing sensitivity and freeing up your schedule at the same time!
Which One is Right for You?
Keep the following in mind when you are trying to decide between take-home and in-office whitening:
- In-office whitening reveals amazing results in a single appointment.
- In-office whitening also costs more than a take-home treatment.
- A trained dental professional applies the bleach during an in-office whitening treatment, so you do not have to worry about overexposure or injuries to the soft oral tissue.
- A take-home kit may be best for patients with tooth sensitivity.
- Take-home whitening is completed from the comfort of your home.
- You can achieve the same results with both options -- just revealed at a different pace.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening can be a big investment, so naturally you’ll want to maintain your results for as long as possible. While your whitening is permanent, you can easily re-stain your smile if you aren’t careful. Thus, to protect your newly whitened teeth:
- Eat a white diet full of white dairy products that will keep your teeth healthy and strong.
- Avoid foods and beverages that are high in stain-causing tannins like coffee, red wine, and berries.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist at Lake Oconee Dentistry twice a year for your biannual exam and cleaning appointments.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
From preventive care to cosmetic upgrades, it is not uncommon for patients to be afraid to commit to dental treatment because they’re afraid it might hurt.
Because professional whitening is entirely custom, you are significantly less likely to experience any discomfort or tooth sensitivity. However, if your teeth are more prone to sensitivity, please let us know.
Techniques such as spacing out treatments, avoiding hot or cold beverages, and using sensitive toothpaste can all help you avoid the unpleasant sensation of tooth sensitivity in the days following your treatment.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
The great news is that no, teeth whitening gel does not damage healthy tooth enamel.
However, if your teeth are at all compromised by tooth decay or gum disease, the chemicals may cause problems. That’s why it’s so important to have a comprehensive dental exam before undergoing any whitening treatment.
Additional damage can sometimes occur when you use at home whitening “hacks” like activated charcoal and hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, overuse of whitening products can eventually wear away your tooth enamel.
If you decide to whiten your teeth, be sure to see your dentist first. Even if you choose to try an over-the-counter product instead of professional whitening, your dentist will be happy to recommend safe products and habits that will help you achieve your smile goals without destroying your tooth enamel.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
No, dental crowns and other dental prosthetics cannot be whitened like your natural teeth. In fact, whitening gels can weaken the bond between the tooth and your restoration, causing complications. Thus, be sure to let your dentist know if you have this type of restoration at your whitening consultation.
Fortunately, you can help prevent your dental prosthetics from discoloring by excellent oral hygiene practices such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, not smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco, and avoiding darkly pigmented foods and beverages.
If you’re unhappy with the shade of your dental crown, speak to your dentist about replacing it to better match the rest of your smile.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
No, teeth whitening is not permanent. Typically, your results can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on your individual oral hygiene.
To maximize your results, be sure to implement a solid at-home oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist every six months for your regular exam and cleaning appointments.
Touch up treatments are also recommended to keep your results looking their best.