Downtown Dental
Teeth Whitening in Vancouver
What is Tooth Whitening?
We have several ways to whiten your teeth quickly and effectively. The teeth whitening professionals at Downtown Dental have a vast amount of experience with most of the tooth whitening systems currently available, including laser whitening. We complete many whitening treatments each month and find that we have the most dramatic results with a system we refer to as Deep Bleaching™.
In-Office vs. At-Home Treatments
The most common method used is the “in-office” method, where a strong bleaching agent is placed over the isolated teeth and a special light is used to assist the bleaching material lighten the teeth. This method is generally more controlled and better for people who have tetracycline stains or streaks on their teeth.
The “home” techniques involve making trays which fit into the mouth and can be filled with bleaching materials. When worn for a few hours a day, noticeable results are seen within a few days to a couple weeks, though results can vary from individual to individual. Some of the factors involved in your level of results include the intensity of the stains, whether or not you have fillings or crowns on your front teeth, as well as what has caused the staining.
What Causes Staining of Teeth?
The most common include aging, consumption of staining substances (coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, blueberries, etc.), and old fillings in the teeth. During tooth formation, consumption of the antibiotic tetracycline or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discolouration.
Who Can Benefit from Tooth Whitening?
Almost everyone with healthy teeth will benefit. There is virtually no downside to whitening and lots of upside. As long as you do not have any fillings or crowns on your front teeth, you will benefit from tooth whitening by having a fresh, younger-looking smile.
The Teeth Whitening Process
Is the Process Safe?
Whitening is gentle and safe when supervised by your Vancouver teeth whitening professionals. In fact, dentist-supervised whitening has been done for nearly a century but has increased in popularity in recent years as yellowed teeth are becoming less and less acceptable, both socially and professionally. Procedures have been simplified and shown to be safe. Reports that claim that the bleaching gel will destroy your enamel are not true. The bleaching process causes no long-term harmful effects to your teeth or gums.
How Long Does It Take?
With in-office bleaching, the results are instantaneous, but for maximum whitening, two sessions are required. With at-home tray bleaching, most people will notice a change in the colour of their teeth the first night they bleach. Tray bleaching takes about 7-10 days to complete. For the fastest and longest-lasting results, we recommend a combination of in-office and home whitening.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Some people may experience a transient sensitivity to cold while bleaching. This disappears soon after the treatment is finished. However, you can decrease the frequency of wearing the trays to cut down or eliminate the symptoms. Your dentist may also choose to prescribe a fluoride gel that you wear in the trays for extreme sensitivity. It is important to note that all symptoms are temporary while you are bleaching. There are no long-term harmful effects from bleaching.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Teeth will stay bleached permanently. However, depending on your habits, you may need a touch-up treatment once every 6 months. If you smoke or drink tea, coffee, or red wine, your teeth will stain faster, requiring more frequent touch-ups.
You can help your teeth remain white by brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners, and seeing your dentist for regular professional cleanings, and booking occasional touch-up treatments.
What Are the Different Methods Available for Whitening Teeth?
The two main methods that your Vancouver teeth whitening professionals use for bleaching, are In-office bleaching and a tray system.
- With in-office bleaching, a special light is used to heat the bleaching gel to start the whitening process. The light can be either a laser or a plasma arc curing light. The basic idea is to heat the bleach to make the whitening reaction go faster.
- With tray bleaching, custom fitting trays are made for your teeth and a bleaching gel is worn in them for several hours for a period of 7 to 10 days. Although slower, the results achieved are usually more effective than in-office treatment. We usually recommend a combination of in-office and tray bleaching for the best results.
How Deep Bleaching™ Works
There is no shortcut to getting guaranteed white teeth! Deep Bleaching™ is a combination of in-office bleaching and take-home trays. Your first appointment will be completed in our Vancouver dental office for 30 minutes, followed by two weeks with the take-home trays, and then a one-hour final in-office boost procedure. The combination bleaching process not only provides outstanding results, but allows you to maintain your whiteness through the use of the trays.
The Side Effects of Bleaching
Deep Bleaching™ is a safe effective teeth whitening formulation. The product we use generates free calcium ions to help re-mineralize your teeth during the whitening process. It contains water, leading to minimal sensitivity. However, some sensitivity can be experienced for the first 24 hours after the procedure, which can be helped by Advil or Motrin.
How Did My Teeth Get So Yellow?
Over the years, like almost everyone, you’ve experienced a natural build-up of organic pigments on your teeth. Colourized proteins from coffee, tea, and other foods have simply darkened the natural whiteness of your teeth. The use of tobacco, antibiotics, and certain minerals usually speeds up the darkening process. However, yellowing can be easily reversed.
What’s the Difference Between Dentist-Supervised and Over the Counter Treatments?
There are many differences, starting with the fact that your teeth and your own dental situation are unique. Safe and effective treatment under a dentist’s evaluation and supervision is essential when you want to achieve significant results. You’ll also find that custom trays designed by the dentist will fit better, expelling far less bleaching gel than the unsupervised, over the counter, one-size-fits-all treatment alternatives. This leads to a more comfortable, safe, and mess-free treatment.
