Coffee, tea, red wine, and just plain aging all take a toll on tooth color over time. Finley Dental in Jacksonville, FL offers professional whitening that works faster and more evenly than anything available over the counter.
Over-the-counter strips and toothpaste use lower concentrations of whitening agent and apply it unevenly, which is why results are often modest and inconsistent. Professional whitening uses a stronger, dentist-supervised formula, either applied in-office for same-day results or through custom-fitted take-home trays, that whitens more evenly and with less risk of gum irritation.
In-office whitening typically takes about an hour and can lighten teeth several shades in a single visit. Take-home trays, custom-molded to your teeth, are worn for a set amount of time daily over one to two weeks and offer a more gradual result. Either way, the dentist checks your teeth and gums first to make sure whitening is a good fit before starting.
Results typically last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on diet and habits like smoking or coffee consumption. Avoiding heavily pigmented foods and drinks for the first 48 hours after treatment helps results last longer, and occasional touch-ups keep your smile at the shade you want.
Professional whitening, done under supervision, is considered safe for enamel. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity, which usually fades within a day or two.
You're paying for a stronger, more even result delivered in a single visit, with a dentist checking for sensitivity or irritation along the way, something OTC products can't offer.
No, whitening only affects natural tooth enamel. If you have visible crowns or veneers, the dentist can talk through options to keep your whole smile a consistent shade.
It depends on your starting shade and the cause of discoloration, but most patients see a noticeable, multi-shade improvement.