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What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a safe, effective way to eliminate stains and lighten the colour of your teeth.
As we age, our teeth become more susceptible to staining from food and other substances. Particles are naturally attracted to tooth enamel, and products such as tea, coffee, tobacco and berries are notorious for staining teeth.
During the teeth whitening process, our dentists use bleaching agents designed to reverse the effects of staining and aging, lightening the colour of your teeth.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Peroxide-based bleaching agents in teeth whitening solutions are used to lighten the colour of your teeth. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on your tooth enamel, creating the whitening effect.
In-Office Teeth Whitening in Calgary
In about two hours, you can have an in-office teeth whitening session at our Calgary office. First, your dentist will apply a barrier around your gums to protect them, then add a thin layer of gel, which chemically activates on each tooth. We repeat the process a few times until the desired shade of white is achieved.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening in Calgary
At-home teeth whitening options allow you to whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your home. Custom whitening trays are created specifically for your smile, and your dentist will also provide you with detailed at-home instructions to follow during the course of your treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Dental One Bankers Hall.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is a temporary solution to whiten your smile. If you continue to expose your teeth to foods and beverages that are likely to cause staining, the whiteness will probably begin to fade after a few months.
However, if you avoid these foods and drinks following your teeth whitening treatment, you may only need a touchup after a year or so.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
One short-term side effect to teeth whitening is tooth sensitivity. For most patients, this will fade within a few days of a whitening session.
To minimize any discomfort, we recommend using an anti-sensitivity toothpaste before your treatment and for at least two weeks after your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
We find that yellow and brown stains respond best to teeth whitening treatments.
Purple, blue and grey-coloured stains tend not to respond to whitening at all. If your teeth with these types of stains, veneers or dental crowns may be a better fit for you.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
No - teeth whitening is only effective on natural teeth. It will not work on existing dental restorations such as dental crowns or veneers.
If crowns or veneers are part of your treatment plan, you should have your teeth whitened before you receive your dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
If a qualified dentist is supervising the use of teeth whitening solutions, it is very unlikely that teeth whitening will damage your dental enamel.
Always consult with your dentist to ensure that you are using any teeth whitening products safely and effectively.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is not typically covered by dental insurance, since it is a purely cosmetic procedure with no health benefits for your teeth.