Brighten Your Smile Safely & Effectively
Teeth discoloration can happen to anyone. Dietary consumption, age, medication, and health conditions can be the reasons for the discoloration. Fortunately, our teeth whitening options at Melrose Dental Group help to brighten your smile. With Zoom in-office and take-home kits available, our team can remove unsightly stains and create a more visually stunning set of pearly whites. If you are ready to do something about your tooth discoloration, call to schedule a consultation today.
Why Choose Melrose Dental Group for Wisdom Tooth Extraction?
- Able to See Both Adults & Teens
- Can Remove Impacted (Stuck) Wisdom Teeth
- Voted as Top Dentists by Boston Magazine
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you want to know whether you are a good candidate for teeth whitening, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Leno. With a special interest in cosmetic dentistry, he possesses advanced training and experience, allowing him to evaluate and administer professional teeth whitening, as well as many other similar treatments.
If you have stains that exist on the surface (extrinsic), below the enamel (intrinsic), or are age-related, there is a good chance you’ll be eligible for whitening. However, we must make sure there are no current cavities or signs of gum disease before moving forward.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening is a quick, safe, and highly effective cosmetic solution when performed by a skilled oral healthcare professional. At our dental office in Melrose, we are pleased to offer both in-office and take-home whitening kits. With the Zoom system, we can eliminate stains and reveal beautiful, dazzling smiles.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Zoom! offers at-home teeth whitening, which may be a better choice for those concerned with teeth sensitivity and busy schedules. The at-home solution consists of inserting whitening gel into trays, which are inserted in the mouth for the recommended timeframe. You will notice the results in 7 days. Be sure to brush and floss before and after treatments. Also, clean your trays after use to prevent bacteria buildup. Avoid eating and drinking for 30 minutes after each treatment.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Your lips and gums receive an isolation material for protection. Next, we apply the Zoom! whitening gel to your teeth and use the Zoom! ultraviolet light to enhance the whitening process. Depending on your ideal shade, you will receive 1-4 15-minute gel applications during the two-hour procedure. Once complete, you rinse away the gel.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Teeth whitening usually lasts up to 3 years, depending on dental care maintenance. During your consultation, we will discuss at-home touch-up treatments that help maintain your new smile, some of which include:
- Adopting good oral hygiene habits at home (i.e., brushing, flossing, rinsing)
- Staying away or limiting your consumption of stain-causing foods and beverages
- Giving up smoking or the use of tobacco
- Limiting your alcohol consumption
- Wearing a protective mouthguard to avoid enamel erosion
- Cease bad habits, like biting your fingernails and eating ice
Teeth Whitening FAQs
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Professional and store-bought teeth whitening products are both made to address tooth stains. That said, they differ a bit in the methods they use.
Store-bought (or “over-the-counter”) teeth whiteners take a generic approach. In any of their kits, you’ll find one-size-fits-all trays, diluted brighteners, and somewhat vague instructions. The result is that such products aren’t very effective and don’t produce consistent, long-lasting effects.
On the other hand, “professional” whitening is tailored to your unique smile. The dentist performing it adjusts their care based on oral exam results, your existing restorations, etc. This customization ensures your treatment is safe and effective, producing dramatic results in just one visit.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
Thankfully, “pro” teeth whitening doesn’t damage your smile’s healthy enamel. It just brightens your grin without doing any harm to your pearly whites.
Risks only come into play if your mouth has pre-existing oral issues. When teeth are impacted by decay or gum disease, whitening chemicals can cause sensitivity and similar side effects. A dentist will thus conduct a thorough oral exam before approving your care; doing so ensures your smile remains safe.
Rather than professional whitening, it’s store-bought whitening methods that can harm enamel. The materials they rely on – especially activated charcoal – are abrasive and often erode teeth over time.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Teeth whitening – whether professional or store-bought – doesn’t work on dental crowns. Due to its unique nature, the treatment can only brighten your natural enamel.
You see, modern teeth whitening uses bleaching gel that seeps into your smile. This material enters your enamel’s pores to remove apparent stains and discoloration. Dental crowns don’t have such pores, though; they’re made of nonporous porcelain. That means whitening can only help your natural teeth.
On the bright side, there are workarounds for this dilemma. You could receive teeth whitening before you get a dental crown, which would ensure your restoration matches your smile. There’s also the option of replacing your current crown with a differently-colored one post-whitening.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Worth the Cost?
Without a doubt, professional teeth whitening is worth its cost. Many patients can attest that the treatment has priceless perks and pays off over time.
With professional whitening, you’ll enjoy benefits that improve your quality of life. One good example is more confidence, as you won’t have to worry about how your smile looks in pictures or social outings. Others include reduced stress levels, a fairly youthful appearance, etc.
Today’s teeth whitening also makes for a sound financial investment. Because a bright smile helps with first impressions, treatment could help you ace job interviews, get promotions, etc. You’d then enjoy a higher income that basically covers your care costs!