FAQS about Teeth Whitening

FAQS about Teeth Whitening

Teeth WhiteningIf you think that your smile could be improved, then chances are you are considering professional teeth whitening. After all, it’s a great way to remove those stubborn stains caused by the foods and drinks we consume; however, our St. Louis, MO, dentists Drs. Joseph and Nina Zeigler also know that you may have questions about teeth whitening. Find out more about what teeth whitening treatment looks like in St. Louis, MO.

What stains can professional teeth whitening most effectively treat?

Yellow stains often respond the best to professional teeth whitening; however, brown stains can also see a marked improvement (often after several treatments). Internal stains, which are usually blue, grey, or purple in appearance, may not respond as well to bleaching.

Internal stains are often more challenging to treat and may lighten but never fully go away with professional whitening. Furthermore, any stains that have developed on artificial structures like dental bonding, veneers, fillings, or crowns also cannot be treated with whitening (only natural tooth structures will respond to this cosmetic treatment).

What happens during professional whitening?

If you come in for chairside whitening, our St. Louis, MO, cosmetic dentists will do all the work while you sit back and relax. Whitening is completely non-invasive. We will first apply a protector over the gums and lips to prevent contact with the bleaching gel. From there, the gel is applied to the teeth and left on for several minutes. In some cases, a special light is directed over the teeth to speed up the whitening process.

Usually in one chairside whitening session, the gel is applied, activated and then removed 2-3 times during the course of your one-hour whitening session. You will see significant changes in just one session.

With at-home whitening we will provide you with custom-fitted whitening trays along with bleaching gel (which are often already preloaded into the trays). You will follow the instructions we provide and use your whitening trays every night, leaving them on anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour.

Will I need more than one whitening session?

This will depend on the type and severity of your stains. Yellow stains can often be removed in one chairside whitening treatment; however, more stubborn stains may require additional whitening sessions.

How long do results typically last?

A lot will depend on how well you care for your smile and avoid certain stain-causing foods and drinks, which can cause new stains. Results can last up to one year or longer; however, you may need to consider touch-ups.

Are you living with dull, yellow teeth in St. Louis, MO? Want to find out if professional teeth whitening could give you the results you want? If so, call our office today to schedule a consultation with your dentist. Transform your smile with teeth whitening.

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