Professional Teeth Whitening in Woodbury, MN

Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening

Why professional teeth whitening is the best way to gain whiter teeth.

Tooth whitening is growing in popularity. It can be an affordable way to improve your smile. Commonly, a person who wants Invisalign clear aligners or cosmetic dentistry desires a whiter, more pleasing smile.

It’s important to have the right expectations as to how long (and how much) of an effect the process will have on your teeth. Remember, your teeth consist of thousands upon thousands of microscopic bones known as enamel and dentin, respectively. If you lose or damage these enamel cells, your teeth will appear different.

Let’s walk through the process of how to get naturally white teeth and answer common questions!

How long does it take to whiten teeth?

The answer depends on how fast you want to see results. Some people claim seeing improvements in as few as 24 hours. In order to achieve a consistently whiter smile, it’s recommended that you follow your dentist’s recommendations. By consistently adhering to your at-home follow-up whitening process, typically a dental patient needs two to six weeks to make teeth appear whiter.

Others begin to notice a stronger difference within a couple of months.

How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?

Your dentist may use a category of compounds called “peroxides”. The most commonly used compounds are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. When your dentist applies these whitening compounds to your enamel, they treat the presence of surface stains. The volatile oxygen molecules in the peroxide will “disrupt” the bonds that keep these stains in place. This “bleaches” the tooth stain away to give you a whiter smile.

The procedure involves the application of a tooth whitening gel containing between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide, and then aiming a special heating lamp at your teeth for three 20-minute intervals, with reapplication of the gel between intervals, according to onhealth.com. The May 24, 2021, Teeth Whitening: Facts, Types, and Products That Work article discusses other professional methods.

Your dentists may choose to use a laser to accelerate or activate the whitening process. The patient’s lips, gums, and tongue are protected by using a proactive barrier so the whitening gel so it stays in place only on your teeth.

To ensure optimal results, after an in-office treatment, you may be given whitening trays molded for your teeth so you can follow up at home with supplemental bleaching sessions.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The cost of tooth whitening can vary depending on where you get your tooth whitening services from and the type of services you receive.

The typical cost of several treatments with a professional company ranges from $300 to $800. However, for example, if you go to a practicing dental intern, you may receive tooth cleaning and tracework at a cheaper rate. However, the initial savings may not give you the same long-term value that a skilled dentist and more advanced techniques offer.

Your cost may also be influenced by how often you visit the dentist and how extensively your teeth already are stained.

The advantages of professional teeth whitening are typically better than an at-home bleaching kit. In most dental patient’s eyes, eliminating the risks of over bleaching when whitening teeth on your own is well worth the added expense. Learn more about dental insurance and financing.

Does Professional Teeth Whitening Hurt?

Generally, the process of whitening teeth is called a type of painless dentistry. However, letting your teeth age without proper and consistent professional care may mean the need to endure periodontal disease procedures. That can really be painful!

You can avoid painful complications by choosing a qualified dentist. When performed by an experienced dentist with reputable products, it should not hurt. Do inform your dentist of any sensitivities and previous whitening products that you may have attempted to use at home, or with another dentist.

Does tooth whitening affect fillings?

Rest assured, the whitening treatment won’t negatively disturb your fillings nor cause damage. Modern tooth-colored fillings are made from materials such as resin and porcelain; consequently, they are very strong and resilient. This means you can undergo the treatment confidently. You can be at ease about any fillings becoming less perfect.

Does tooth whitening affect crowns or veneers?

Unlike a person’s natural teeth, the peroxide used to whiten teeth does not alter the material used in tooth-colored crowns, veneers, or fillings. They cannot be whitened during this process; they will retain the same shade even if you have the rest of your teeth whitened.

Does whitening toothpaste actually whiten teeth?

Whitening toothpaste may seem to whiten teeth a tad by removing surface stains, like stains caused by drinking coffee or tea. However, whitening toothpastes are not able to improve your natural tooth color. Additionally, they cannot lighten a stain that is deeper than a tooth’s surface.

While attempting to remove surface stains, whitening toothpaste often includes:

• Abrasives that mildly polish the teeth.
• Peroxide or other substances that help to dissolve stains.
• Whitening toothpastes may contain the chemical blue covarine; this adheres to your teeth’s surface and makes an optical illusion that may lessen the yellow color tone of teeth.

Be aware that whitening tubes of toothpaste are commonly designed to maximize cleaning and minimize deterioration of tooth enamel. If you attempt this route, be careful to first understand and then follow manufacturer recommendations.

Many individuals are not satisfied with the effect of whitening toothpaste and come to us asking about our tooth-whitening options. The professional bleaching products we use are more predictable because they stay in contact with the tooth surface longer. As well we monitor any tooth sensitivity and provide you with tips for maintaining your whiter teeth.

Are there any Risks Associated with At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits?

Just like taking too much fluoride can cause serious problems to the teeth (and bones), unmonitored use of whitening agents may damage teeth enamel.

Additional risks that may accompany self-bleaching teeth options:

• It’s a possibility that at-home teeth whitening kits may cause your teeth to be more sensitive. A professional dentist understands the best products, timelines and application processes.
• If a tooth whitening gel is kept on a person’s teeth too long, it will dehydrate their teeth. This can cause tooth pain when eating and other dental problems.
• It’s much more likely that patients will misuse, forget, or fail to comply with the at-home whitening systems’ instructions.

A key advantage of professional teeth brightening treatments is that it is less likely that something will go awry.

If you have additional questions about snow teeth whitening, using coconut oil, whitening strips, hydrogen peroxide, or anything else – just ask. It’s important to get answers to your questions and feel comfortable with your decisions.

Should Teeth be Whitened Before Crowns Or Fillings Are Placed?

Your dentist will go over options with you; it may be possible to whiten your teeth before your crowns and fillings are placed. Depending on if you’re replacing older metal crowns or fillings, or some decayed or damaged teeth exist, your treatment plan will be adjusted for best results.

If whitening first, after your teeth are the desired shade, Marc L. Montgomery, DDS will select resin or ceramic material that closely matches the shade of your newly whitened teeth. This ensures that any dental restorations will match the natural color of your teeth perfectly.

”If you would like your teeth to be whiter than can be achieved with these products, several choices are available from a dentist. These whitening methods tend to be more effective and last longer than nonprescription products, but they are also more expensive. – Mayo Clinic

Teeth Whitening Google Review

5 Star | Sep 21, 2016

“Dr. Montgomery is honestly the best dentist I have ever seen. For years I was paying money for teeth whitening and could never get my teeth white. All my dental hygienists over the years could not figure out why my teeth were always so stained. Dr. Montgomery helped me determine I was one of the few people whose teeth actually stain with the kind of mouthwash I was using. I now have bright white teeth and a healthy mouth. I am so happy to be working with Dr. Montgomery and his entire team. They are the best!” – Donna Chicone

Why choose us?

Montgomery Dental Care has over 35 years of experience delivering best-in-class dental care and can extend your dental health with our comprehensive whitening solutions. Our professional team is trained to create custom-made solutions that suit your individual needs. You can feel confident when you choose us for all your dental needs.

We use professional whitening products that are designed to help you safely and effectively remove stains from your teeth. We know that you want long-term results and the assurance that you are safeguarding your smile during the process.

Call 651-738-1880 to gain the smile you want!