Get The Bright White Smile You’ve Been Wishing For
Even if you have healthy teeth that you brush regularly, years of accumulated staining can make your teeth look less sparkling than you would like. Dr. Julie is a talented cosmetic dentist in Vancouver, Washington who performs professional teeth whitening to give your smile a makeover. By using dramatically more hydrogen peroxide than the whitening strips available in stores, in-office teeth whitening helps your teeth to look whiter than they have in ages.
Are You a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you are displeased with the shade of your teeth and have found the whitening products available in stores to be inadequate, you are probably a good candidate for an in-office professional whitening session. This is a safe, highly effective treatment when performed under the supervision of a great cosmetic dentist.
Because the high level of hydrogen peroxide may not be gentle enough for your mouth, Dr. Julie may suggest alternative treatments if you have sensitive teeth or gums. Moreover, if you have crowns or other restorative dental procedures, you should be aware that they will not be affected by the bleaching.
Professional teeth whitening focuses on extrinsic (surface) staining. Intrinsic staining (which is often the result of tooth decay or medication use) is not affected by this treatment. To cover up intrinsic staining, you may see better results with Bioclear or porcelain veneers.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Before the whitening starts, our dental team gives your teeth a thorough cleaning to remove any lingering plaque and food particles so that they do not obstruct the whitening process. Dr. Julie also quickly checks for any outstanding dental issues like gum disease or tooth decay which can be aggravated by the bleaching process. If you do have any issues, Dr. Julie will suggest you take care of these problems before doing this cosmetic treatment.
Next, you will wear a lip retractor so that your lips are not touching your teeth. Dr. Julie will rub a protective gel along your gums to protect them from the bleaching chemicals. Then she will apply the whitening agent to the teeth directly. The bleaching agent contains a high level of hydrogen peroxide, which triggers the oxidation process to help strip the staining off your teeth. Finally, Dr. Julie shines a blue light onto the teeth to enhance the effects of the oxidation. This process is repeated a few times in the hour-long session to maximize the whiteness of your teeth.
Teeth Whitening Results You Will Love
Your teeth should appear between five and 10 shades whiter than they were prior to your treatment. Your results are relative to the starting point: If your teeth are yellowed, you may need more than one session to get them as white as you hope. It is safe to undergo teeth whitening every few months, so you have the option to repeat the process.
Your results last approximately one year, at which point you may elect to undergo another session to maintain your results. To ensure that your teeth stay as white as possible, limit your consumption of beverages that stain like red wine, cola, coffee, and tea. Do not smoke either, since tobacco stains your teeth. Be steadfast with your brushing and flossing to prevent surface stains from developing on your teeth.
Visit the Teeth Whitening Experts
Dr. Julie and the dedicated team of dental professionals at Harmony Family Dentistry have seen firsthand how a patient’s confidence soars after teeth whitening. To experience some of these benefits for yourself, please schedule a consultation by calling or texting 360-882-7866.
