Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

Having pearly white teeth is the bedrock of a beautiful smile. This is why our Anaheim dentist offers amazing teeth whitening treatments. Dr. Patel has been transforming smiles for many years with this procedure.

So if you’ve been unhappy with your smile, we can help! Our tooth whitening treatments will make you look and feel amazing.

Stock image of a smiling female focusing on her teeth

How Did My Teeth Get Stained & Changed Color?

Many reasons can explain why your teeth are no longer white. The most common culprits are stain causing drinks. Such as sodas, teas, coffee, and wines. Other stain-causing agents can be tobacco use and certain medications.

Types Of Whitening Treatments

Teeth whitening falls into two categories: professional in-office and over the counter home treatment kits. The difference between the two is potency. For in-office whitening, your dentist uses more powerful whitening agents. These agents will whiten your teeth up to several shades on the same visit. For over the counter kits, there’s less potency. Resulting in more treatment applications needed for similar results.

Does Tooth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

It’s possible to feel extra tooth sensitivity after a whitening treatment. This sensitivity is transient though. Any extra sensitivity felt in your teeth will go away after one or two days. So there’s no permanent sensitivity to your teeth with whitening treatments.

Am I A Candidate For Whitening?

Many factors go into who’s a great candidate for treatment. Ideal patients to get whitening are healthy patients with healthy gums. Also patients with no restored teeth that have fillings.

There are also many factors that would disqualify someone from receiving whitening. These include:

  • Being under the age of 16
  • Pregnancy Issues
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Allergies to peroxide or bleaching agents
  • Gum diseases that are causing worn enamels, cavities, or exposed roots.
  • Having tooth restorations such as fillings or crowns.

How Long Does My Teeth Stay White After Treatment?

Lasting effects of tooth whitening varies. You can typically expect the whitening to last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. Your personal results can differ depending on your daily dental hygiene habits. For example, how much coffee or red wine you’re drinking? Or how often are you brushing and coming in for your dental cleanings?

Is Whitening Safe?

Getting tooth whitening is one of the safest dental procedures. Many studies have shown the safety of whitening treatments.

Will Tooth Whitening Affect My Fillings, Veneers, Or Crowns?

Having tooth whitening done won’t have much if any effect on your teeth restorations. To be certain, always consult with your cosmetic dentist on your unique situation.
Stock image of a female patient being treated by dentist

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Does Insurance Cover The Procedure?

Dental insurances typically don’t cover whitening procedures. Since it’s considered a cosmetic treatment.

Dr. Patel understands that each patient is unique. That everyone needs personalized dental care. Which is why your Anaheim Dentist and his team will develop a custom treatment plan for you. A plan that will fit into any family’s budget. To find out more about our teeth whitening treatments call us today. We’re committed to giving you a bright beautiful smile. We look forward to transforming not only your smile but confidence as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional in-office teeth whitening typically costs $500 to $800. Additional procedures, such as laser treatments, can increase the total price. At-home whitening kits provided by your dentist cost from $200 to $400.

In-office teeth whitening is performed by a dentist during your dental visit. In addition to whitening solutions, other tools, such as lasers, may be used to enhance the procedure. In-office teeth whitening typically takes around 60 minutes and delivers immediate results. 

Your dentist can provide at-home whitening kits. Custom-made whitening trays are typically worn for 30 minutes to 2 hours a day for several weeks, delivering gradual improvement in tooth color. Do not confuse professional at-home whitening kits with over-the-counter solutions.

Generally, professional teeth whitening can make your teeth up to 8 shades whiter. However, the results can depend on your oral health, as some patients may not tolerate strong whitening solutions. The whitening solution can be adjusted to your goals, and you can achieve less dramatic, more natural-looking results (2 to 3 shades whiter) if that is what you prefer.

Professional teeth whitening can remove deep stains or discoloration, using high-concentration peroxide. However, some types of deep stains may not respond to a whitening procedure or may only become less noticeable, rather than fully removed. During your consultation, the dentist will assess the types of stains you have to determine whether a whitening procedure will be effective. 

You can get same-day teeth whitening, provided the cosmetic dentist has an available appointment time. Otherwise, you will be offered a choice of dates that will be convenient for you. Do not hesitate to call our office and inquire about available appointment times.

Professional teeth whitening is always better than over-the-counter solutions for two main reasons: effectiveness and safety. When the procedure is performed in a controlled dental-office environment, your dentist can use a stronger whitening solution, potentially making your teeth up to 8 shades whiter. 

But safety is, in fact, an even more important advantage of professional teeth whitening compared to over-the-counter products. The majority of whitening solutions use a bleaching agent (for example, hydrogen peroxide) to temporarily make the enamel more porous and to destroy the dark pigment in its layers. However, a bleaching solution can cause permanent damage to the enamel and gums if the procedure is done irresponsibly or the solution is too strong for you. Before professional teeth whitening, your dentist will examine your oral health to determine what type of whitening will be safe for you. Over-the-counter solutions, on the other hand, are not designed with your needs and goals in mind.

After teeth whitening treatment, it is recommended to avoid staining foods and beverages, such as:

  • Red wine
  • Black coffee and tea
  • Brightly colored spices (curry, red paprika, etc.)
  • Products that contain artificial dye (soda, candies, etc.)
  • Carrots and beetroot

You should also abstain from smoking, as tobacco products stain teeth easily, and avoid hot and cold foods and drinks.

Generally, you can have a professional whitening procedure every 6-12 months. However, depending on your tooth sensitivity or oral health concerns, fewer treatments may be recommended.