Do you have a special event coming up? Events like weddings, graduations, and family reunions tend to be filled with opportunities for photos and reconnecting with people you haven’t seen in a while. Are you confident in your smile?
Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to give your smile a glow up. In as little as one in-office treatment, you can have a dramatically whiter smile that looks healthy and natural. But don’t wait too long to schedule your appointment. In order to be prepared for your special event, here’s a general timeline for getting your teeth whitening done.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is essentially prescription strength whitening treatment. These treatments can only be provided by your dentist or other dental professionals. The active ingredient in professional teeth whitening, while still safe, is stronger than over the counter products. This is why it should be applied with the approval or supervision of your dentist.
Professional teeth whitening comes in two options:
- In-office treatment. Teeth whitening treatment can be applied by your dentist in a single appointment. A protective shield or gel is applied to your gums and the whitening agent is applied to your teeth. A laser light is used to activate the whitening agent to accelerate the whitening process. The whitening process is carefully controlled for safe, natural results.
- At-home treatment. Professional teeth whitening treatments are available in kits you can use at home. Custom trays are made to fit your teeth that are used to apply the whitening agent. You wear the trays according to your dentist’s recommendation to achieve your desired results. The process can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks.
When to Schedule Teeth Whitening Treatment
In order to time your whitening treatment so that you can easily fit it in before your big event, the following schedule is a good guideline.
- Consultation: 3 months. In order to get started with professional teeth whitening, you’ll need to talk to your dentist. This can take place during a regularly scheduled appointment, such as your biannual cleanings, or you’ll need to schedule a consultation.
- In-office appointment: one month. After your consultation you’ll need to schedule an appointment for in-office treatment and creation of whitening trays for future use. Oftentimes, patients can get their impressions for their custom trays the same day as their consultation! Be sure to schedule your whitening appointment at least a month before your special event to ensure you have time to fit it in.
- At-home treatment: 2 months. If you choose to go with the at-home treatment option, your dentist will most likely need to make custom whitening trays for you. It takes some time to create these trays in the lab, so you’ll likely need to pick them up from the office along with your whitening kit. In some cases, patients may opt for professional strength, pre-filled, disposable trays. These are stronger than over the counter whitening products, but do not require custom trays being made. Although at-home treatments are stronger than what you may find in stores, it typically takes a few uses to get the same results as in-office whitening.
Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment?
When compared to over the counter teeth whitening products, professional treatment provides overall better results. You’ll notice a more dramatic change in the shade of your teeth after professional treatment. Since in-office whitening is more thorough, results also tend to last longer than at-home whitening.
Although store bought products may be more affordable, you'll need to buy more over time to achieve and maintain your results. Professional treatments are customized for safety while still providing vibrant results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
Do teeth whitening treatments cause sensitivity?
Some patients have reported an increase in sensitivity following teeth whitening treatment. This is typically mild and subsides within a few weeks. It can help to use sensitive toothpaste following treatment until you get relief. At-home treatment is more gradual and patients typically experience less sensitivity than with in-office treatment.
How long do the results last?
The results of in-office treatment can last for a few years depending on your habits and dental hygiene. Many times custom trays are made for you so that you can touch up your whitening treatment at home if you notice the results diminishing. At-home treatment typically does not last as long as in-office treatment. You can maintain your results longer by avoiding teeth staining foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored berries.
Cosmetic Family Dentistry of West Milford provides comprehensive dental services, including cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening. We believe that your smile should look as healthy as it feels with the help of safe, effective treatments. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment in time for your special event.