Feel insecure because your teeth are yellow? Professional teeth whitening, a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, is one of the quickest and most effective ways to brighten your smile. Store-bought pastes, gels, and strips rarely offer the same results, especially if you are on a time crunch.
If you are considering professional whitening, make sure you are a suitable candidate first. Learn about the qualifications here, but it’s also important to speak with a dentist to learn if you qualify for treatment.
Dr. Matthew Bridges, our dentist in Duncan, OK, will talk to you about your smile goals, examine your smile, and determine whether professional in-office and at-home whitening treatment is the best option for you. Call our dental office today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation!
The Ideal Teeth Whitening Candidate
Patients with yellow-stained teeth and an otherwise healthy smile are the best candidates for teeth bleaching. During a dental examination, Dr. Bridges can determine whether the stains on your teeth are intrinsic or extrinsic.
Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Dental Stains
Intrinsic stains are inside the tooth and can occur because of medical conditions, medications, dental trauma, excessive fluoride, and genetics. In this case, Dr. Bridges may recommend veneers. Extrinsic dental stains can be treated with teeth bleaching because they only occur on the outside of the tooth due to external factors like chewing tobacco, smoking, coffee, tea, sodas, and dark-colored foods.
Teeth Whitening Disqualifications
Cavities, gum disease, fillings, crowns, and bridges may disqualify you from treatment. Other conditions and circ*mstances that may bar a patient from teeth whitening treatment include:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding
- Being under the age of 16
- Allergic to peroxide or other teeth-bleaching agents
- Sensitive teeth
Duncan, OK, Teeth Whitening Options
At our dentist’s office in Duncan, OK, Dr. Bridges offers two types of professional teeth whitening:
- Zoom!® In-Office Whitening
Zoom in-office teeth whitening is a professional dental procedure that uses a powerful whitening gel and a special light to quickly and effectively whiten teeth. It is a popular option for people who want to get a brighter, more confident smile without the hassle and expense of at-home whitening kits. The procedure typically takes about an hour, and the results can last for several months with proper care.
- Opalescence® Take-Home Whitening
Opalescence take-home whitening is a whitening treatment that you can use in the comfort of your own home. It involves wearing custom-fit trays filled with a whitening gel for a specified amount of time each day. The gel contains a powerful bleaching agent that penetrates the enamel to remove deep stains and discoloration.
With regular use, Opalescence take-home whitening can help you achieve a brighter, whiter smile. It’s a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth and boost your confidence.
Schedule Your Appointment
Are you ready to feel more confident? Want to ensure your smile is picture-perfect for an upcoming wedding or special occasion? Call Dr. Bridges today! Our Duncan, OK dental team is ready to help you achieve a beautiful smile. Contact us at (580) 255-4880.
FAQs
The best candidates for professional teeth whitening have healthy teeth without fillings or restorations and healthy gum tissues. Patients whose teeth have yellow tones are more likely to respond to treatment.
What makes you ineligible for teeth whitening? ›
You may not be a candidate for teeth whitening. If you are allergic to peroxide, you will not be able to have your teeth whitened, since peroxide is the active ingredient in whitening systems. If you have a lot of fillings, dental bonding or crowns, you may not be a candidate for dental whitening.
What disqualifies you from teeth whitening? ›
Teeth Whitening Disqualifications
Cavities, gum disease, fillings, crowns, and bridges may disqualify you from treatment. Other conditions and circ*mstances that may bar a patient from teeth whitening treatment include: Pregnancy and breast-feeding. Being under the age of 16.
What qualifications do you need to whiten teeth? ›
Any dentist can whiten teeth as long as they're registered with the General Dental Council. Registered dental therapists and dental hygienists can also carry out teeth whitening on the prescription of a dentist.
Who is a good candidate for professional teeth whitening? ›
Those that will benefit most from tooth whitening include; tea and coffee drinkers, tobacco users, and those with stains acquired by dietary habits. These stains appear more yellow, sometimes yellow/brown. These stains occur on the outermost surface of the tooth and are easiest to lighten and remove.
Who is not a candidate for teeth whitening? ›
Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached. People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can irritate tender gums.
When is teeth whitening not recommended? ›
Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive. Teeth whitening is also not recommended in pregnant or lactating women.
What teeth can't be whitened? ›
You won't be able to whiten either porcelain crowns or most commonly used dental bonding materials. And, if you're suffering from gum disease, teeth whitening treatments will be uncomfortable, as well as possibly ineffective.
Can 70 year old teeth be whitened? ›
Teeth whitening treatments are for everyone – there's no age limit to having any kind of cosmetic dental treatments, so it doesn't matter if you're 26 or 62 or older, if you want whiter teeth, your age is not going to prevent it from happening.
What are contraindications for teeth whitening? ›
Contraindications to teeth whitening - other diseases
Other contraindications to teeth whitening also include certain diseases. These include, for example, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, epilepsy and cancer.
The answer is somewhere around one hour. This is a minimal amount of time for someone to expect professional whitening results, especially when considering that professional in-office whitening can last upwards of two years.
Can anyone get professional teeth whitening? ›
The best candidates for professional teeth whitening have healthy teeth without fillings or restorations and healthy gum tissues. Patients whose teeth have yellow tones are more likely to respond to treatment.
Can yellow teeth become white again? ›
If you want to know how to whiten yellow teeth, the most effective option is an in-office whitening treatment with your dentist. In-office whitening treatments have become very popular because you can see results in a single visit or a few visits. The effects last longer than any product you find on the shelves.
Is professional teeth whitening worth the cost? ›
As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.
Can all teeth be professionally whitened? ›
Professional teeth whitening, such as the strips or trays, only work on natural teeth. If you have crowns, fillings, composite bonding or veneers, these parts of teeth won't whiten along with your natural teeth and will need to be treated separately.
What do dentists say about teeth whitening? ›
Key Points. Whitening treatments can be effective on both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Only natural teeth can be whitened, not tooth-colored restorations. Whitening treatments include in-office bleaching procedures, dentist-supplied products for use at home, and over-the-counter (OTC) whiteners.
How do I know if my teeth can't be whitened? ›
For example, if a stain develops underneath your tooth's semi-translucent enamel, or if it's the result of damage or infection within your tooth, then no amount of teeth-whitening solution will be able to erase them.
Why can't I get my teeth whitened? ›
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.
Who should not use teeth whitening products? ›
The use of tooth whitening on children is not advised for several reasons. The mineral content of baby a baby tooth is considerably less than that of a permanent tooth, putting a child at a greater risk for demineralization. There is a higher risk of irreversible tooth damage caused by abuse and overexposure.
