Dental Articles

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist Office

Chairside Teeth Whitening

Whitening your teeth can drastically change your appearance and boost your self-esteem at the same time, but deciding which teeth whitening method to choose can be confusing. If you are the type of person that likes instant results, you might consider chairside teeth whitening which can be performed directly at the dentist office. Chairside teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, can dramatically whiten your teeth (around 4 to 6 shades lighter) in about an hour.

How Chairside Teeth Whitening Works

During an in office bleaching treatment, the dentist will more than likely use a product containing anywhere from 15 percent to 35 percent hydrogen peroxide gels. Before beginning the teeth whitening treatment, the dentist will isolate the gum areas by placing a gel or special shield to protect the soft tissues.

After the dentist has isolated the gum tissues, he/she then applies the hydrogen peroxide gel to the teeth. A laser or a special light could possibly be used to increase the whitening effect. The bleaching gel is then rinsed off and this procedure is usually repeated several times.

Effectiveness of Chairside Teeth Whitening

If you have any visible crowns or white fillings, you may want to consider having them replaced in a lighter shade because they will not lighten during a bleaching process and will stand out against your recently whitened teeth.

Side Effects of Chairside Teeth Whitening

The most common side effect associated with teeth whitening procedures is teeth sensitivity. The sensitivity usually disappears within 24 hours of an in-office teeth whitening treatment.

Talk to Your Dentist About Teeth Whitening

Before deciding upon any type of teeth whitening treatment, it is important to visit your dentist for a check up and cleaning. Only your dentist can decide if you are a candidate for having your teeth whitened and what type of whitening treatment would work the best for you.