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
Health Requirements
What disqualifies you from teeth whitening? ›
Results are usually dramatic and, with touch-ups at home, last indefinitely. People with healthy teeth and gums are typically good candidates for teeth whitening. Gum disease, multiple restorations, and extensive decay disqualify individuals from this cosmetic procedure.
What qualifications do you need to whiten teeth? ›
Teeth whitening is a form of dentistry and should only be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist, on the prescription of a dentist.
What are the criteria for teeth whitening? ›
Dentists want prospective patients to meet two criteria before teeth whitening procedures. First, the patient has to be free of cavities. Next, they have to be free from gum disease. Occasionally, teeth whitening causes slight inflammation of the gums.
Who is a good candidate for professional teeth whitening? ›
Teeth whitening is good for individuals who have healthy teeth already. It is better for patients not to have visible restorations before choosing whitening. Patients should also have healthy gums. The good news is that patients can have teeth restored and gums treated to become whitening candidates.
What would make you ineligible for teeth whitening? ›
Patients with the following conditions or circ*mstances may not be the best candidates: Pregnant and lactating women. People who have restorations such as fillings, implants, crowns and dental bridges. Children under 16 years of age.
Who cannot do teeth whitening? ›
Poor Candidates
If you are younger than 16, you are not a candidate for teeth whitening. This is because the pulp chamber in young teeth is larger than that of an adult, and whitening treatments could cause irritation. If you are pregnant or lactating, teeth whitening is not recommended.
Should teeth whitening only be done by a dentist? ›
Unqualified Whitening is a Health Hazard
While your esthetician may claim to be qualified in teeth whitening, the procedure is actually banned from being performed outside of a dentist's office in most states.
What are the guidelines for teeth whitening? ›
Prior to Treatment: Brush and floss just prior to bleaching your teeth. The whitening gel is the most effective with clean teeth. Try the trays in first without any bleach to check the fit and comfort. Make sure that the bleaching trays are clean and dry before applying the whitening gel.
Can anyone do a teeth whitening course? ›
Is teeth whitening illegal? Our teeth whitening courses are all in line with the law. We are not training you to be a dentist. You will be qualified to be able to whiten teeth.
Whitening is not recommended for people who experience chronic sensitivity, periodontal disease, oral cancer, or excessively worn and damaged enamel. Teeth that appear translucent may worsen with each whitening application and should be discontinued upon notice.
What is the most effective teeth whitening method? ›
Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening
This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.
How long does it take to whiten teeth professionally? ›
The length of professional teeth whitening depends on the dentist you choose, how many shades the patients want to lighten their smile, and other factors. In general, it typically takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The following is a review of professional teeth whitening and how long the process takes.
What is professional teeth whitening called? ›
Laser whitening is a specialized procedure performed in the dental office.
Is professional teeth whitening worth the cost? ›
Your dentist may even recommend a specific teeth whitening system that has a reputation for producing the best results. While it might be more expensive, it's typically worth the investment since you'll get long-lasting and, possibly, immediate results.
Can normal dentist do teeth whitening? ›
There are many effective methods for whitening the teeth. But it is always ideal to schedule a dental checkup before opting for any method. Your family dentist can help you have not only a whiter, brighter and more attractive smile but one that is also healthy.
How do I know if my teeth can't be whitened? ›
Tooth discoloration caused by medication, health conditions, or lost enamel may not respond well (or at all) to whitening treatments. On the other hand, stains from lifestyle and diet tend to respond well, but very heavy staining may require intensive whitening or other treatments to get the results you want.
Why do dentists not recommend teeth whitening? ›
Tooth and gum sensitivity and pain
Store-bought products may contain abrasive substances like hydrogen peroxide, which can be effective if used minimally, but in large doses can cause erosion of teeth's enamel and shrinkage of the gums.
When not to get teeth whitening? ›
This group includes patients who have teeth that have become transparent as part of the aging process, patients who are sensitive to peroxide or other chemicals used in their chosen teeth whitening treatment, patients who have ultra-sensitive teeth or gums, which may be irritated by the chemicals used in the whitening ...
