Teeth whitening. The desire to have whiter teeth is very widespread, although it is not indicated for everyone. For example, if you have chipped or uneven teeth, bleaching generally enhances the discrepancies; if you have teeth sensitive to hot or cold, bleaching will increase this sensitivity. When determining how white your teeth should be, look into a mirror in natural light.Your teeth should be approximately the same color as the whites of your eyes (if your eyes are healthy). If teeth are bleached whiter than this, they can look unnatural or false.

For patients wanting teeth whitening, we require a complete examination and full set of x-rays less than 3 months old to be on file before you start. This is to ensure that your teeth are healthy enough to handle any chemical side effects, which can be unpleasant in some cases. We also recommend that you have all necessary fillings addressed before bleaching so there are no cavities or dark restorations. Fillings bleach differently than teeth, and as a result, there might be color variations in your mouth that you might not desire. If you have crowns, keep in mind that they do not bleach.

The process takes two appointments. The first appointment is for impressions to create your own individual bleaching tray, and takes about half an hour. The second appointment takes only a few minutes. Your bleaching tray will be seated and checked for fit, and you will receive instructions on how to use it.

If you know you have sensitive or uneven teeth, consider veneers or crowns as alternatives to bleaching. They often offer a better solution for stained and chipped or broken teeth! If you have a single discolored tooth, internal bleaching may be the best solution.