Teeth whitening is one of the most frequently requested procedures in cosmetic dentistry because it is quick, effective, and relatively inexpensive. Dental Distinction offers convenient options for restoring your natural bright smile with professional teeth whitening in Chester Springs, PA. Dr. Jason Petkevis, DMD provides in-office treatment, at-home treatment, and a combination of the two. We only use carefully selected professional tooth whitening brands that yield optimal results with minimal sensitivity to teeth and gums.
How Do Teeth Become Discolored?
Even if you’ve faithfully cared for your teeth by brushing and flossing as recommended by your dentist, your teeth can easily discolor for many reasons. There are mainly three types of tooth stains: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
Extrinsic stains happen on the outer layer of teeth. Many things can lead to extrinsic stains. Smoking, chewing tobacco, or daily drinking of coffee, tea, cola, or red wine are all examples.
Intrinsic stains are inside the tooth. Too much fluoride or certain medications lead to intrinsic stains. This type of tooth stain is harder to treat.
Natural aging can also cause your teeth to look discolored and dull. Age-related stains happen as we get older when your tooth enamel thins out.
Following your dentist’s recommendation of brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily can slow this process down. The better you care for your teeth, the more likely your smile will stay brighter and healthier longer. However, it cannot reverse this process.
Teeth Whitening in Chester Springs, PA
A fresh, white smile can boost your sense of confidence and help you feel ready to meet whatever challenge you’re facing. This is why Dr. Petkevis offers two ways to brighten your smile. Dental Distinction provides two ways to whiten your smile in a safe and effective way. You have the option to choose in-office and at-home whitening.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
For patients who want to “boost” their teeth whitening and see immediate results, in-office teeth whitening is a great option. These results are usually delivered in about an hour and will give you a foundation for your at-home efforts.
We will first prepare you for the treatment by isolating your teeth. By placing a protective barrier over your gums, we lower your risk of gum irritation. Next, Dr. Petkevis will apply a specially formulated whitening gel to your teeth. Using a special light, we will activate the gel to effectively remove stains. We will repeat this process several times.
Patients can return to their daily routine as soon as they leave the dentist’s office. Patients typically see results that are up to 8 shades lighter after treatment!
In-office teeth whitening is great for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, and job interviews.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
At-home teeth whitening is very convenient for patients. This type of treatment includes a custom-fit professional whitening tray. This customized appliance administers the whitening gel evenly and properly without damaging the gums or tooth enamel.
At-home teeth whitening treatment takes place over several weeks where the trays are worn either during the day or overnight, depending on the patient, for a set amount of time.
Alternatives to Professional Teeth Whitening
Sometimes teeth whitening can’t treat severely stained and teeth whitening. For those patients, Dr. Petkevis also offers porcelain veneers and dental crowns.
If professional teeth whitening does not yield the results you want, Dr. Petkevis will examine your teeth and determine if another cosmetic dentistry treatment will suite your needs. These cosmetic procedures can also provide you with a brighter, whiter smile. Talk to Dr. Petkevis about other whitening options to see which one may work better for you.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are thin covers that go on your teeth to make them look better. We use veneers to help with teeth that are discolored or stained. Dr. Petkevis will put the veneers on your teeth to cover up the discoloration. This makes your teeth look whiter and more uniform. Veneers can make a big difference in how your smile looks and help boost your confidence. However, they are the most expensive alternative if professional whitening does not work. To learn more about the benefits of dental veneers, see Porcelain Veneers.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are caps that cover discolored or stained teeth. Crowns are made to match the shape and color of your natural teeth. Dr. Petkevis will place the crown over the tooth to hide stains and discoloration, giving the tooth a new, bright appearance. A crown will encase the entire tooth and will also help support a weakened tooth. This dental procedure helps improve the look of your smile and boosts your confidence. To learn more about what to expect during the crown procedure, see Dental Crowns.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile and remove stains. Unlike store-bought products, professional treatments deliver faster, more noticeable results while protecting your teeth and gums. Whether your discoloration is from coffee, tea, smoking, or aging, teeth whitening can help restore your teeth to a brilliant, natural-looking white. Please read through this FAQ section to learn more about how professional teeth whitening works and the benefits it offers for your smile.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type of treatment you select. In general, at-home teeth whitening costs less than in-office treatment. To discuss the cost of professional teeth whitening, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Petkevis today.
How long does teeth whitening last?
How long teeth whitening lasts depends on your maintenance and oral health routine post-treatment. You may choose to avoid dark foods and beverages (such as coffee, tea, and soda) after treatment to prevent teeth from staining or darkening. Teeth may require periodic touch-ups to maintain their initial bright white appearance.
Are there any teeth whitening side effects?
As with any treatment, there are some teeth whitening side effects. Teeth whitening side effects subside within 1 to 3 days following treatment and most patients experience no side effects at all. Most frequently, patients report mild to moderate tooth sensitivity. Teeth whitening can also irritate the gums or other soft tissue in the mouth. These effects are only temporary and do not cause permanent damage.
How many sessions does it take to whiten teeth?
It can take just one in-office treatment to see results from teeth whitening. If you choose take-home whitening treatment, you will begin to see results after one to two weeks. Both types of professional teeth whitening treatments will provide faster results than store-bought whitening products.
Can you whiten yellow teeth?
Our professional teeth whitening treatments use high-quality gels with high concentrations of active ingredients to whiten yellow teeth. Sometimes, you can’t remove years of stains and yellowing with brushing alone.
Can you get teeth whitening if you have decay?
We will clean teeth and ensure they are infection-free before recommending cosmetic treatment. Depending on your specific case, we may recommend a restoration to cover and protect your tooth if it is weakened following treatments, including root canals. We can color-match restorations like dental crowns to ensure that formerly infected and damaged teeth blend in with other natural teeth. If you do not have extensive damage from decay, you may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening.
Book Your Consultation for Professional Teeth Whitening in Chester Springs, PA Today
Schedule a teeth whitening treatment near you after your routine dental cleaning for a bright, white smile you will be happy to share.