Do you want a safe and affordable way to brighten your teeth? Tooth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry solutions. Dr. Nechama Brand is an experienced cosmetic dentist who provides professional teeth whitening services in Chicago, IL. At Premier Dentistry, Dr. Brand is proud to help patients achieve their dream smiles.
What Causes Teeth Discoloration?
A variety of factors will stain, yellow, and darken teeth. Some causes affect the surface of the teeth, while others change the color from the inside. Knowing what causes discoloration can help you take steps to protect your smile.
- Foods and Drinks: Many common foods and drinks can stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, and sauces like soy sauce can leave stains on the enamel. These stains build up over time, especially if you don’t brush or rinse after you eat or drink.
- Aging: As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth naturally wears down. When this happens, the yellowish layer underneath, called dentin, becomes more visible. This process can make teeth look dull or yellow, even with good oral hygiene.
- Tobacco: Your teeth can change color if you smoke, vape, or use tobacco products. Nicotine and tar can cause teeth to turn yellow or brown, and the stains can be hard to remove. Tobacco use also increases the risk of gum disease and other oral health problems.
- Dental Trauma: An injury to the mouth or teeth can cause a tooth to change color. When a tooth is damaged, the inner tissue may react by darkening over time. This type of discoloration often cannot be fixed with whitening and may require other cosmetic treatment.
- Medications: Some medications can cause teeth to discolor as a side effect. Certain antibiotics, especially when taken during childhood, can affect how teeth develop and lead to staining. Other medications may cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of discoloration and plaque buildup.
Schedule an exam with Dr. Brand if you notice your teeth darkening. She’ll work with you to find the right treatment for your type of tooth stains.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Your smile is an important part of your image, whether you realize it or not. The first thing people notice about you is your smile. For this reason, patients want to create a smile that reflects health and beauty.
Professional teeth whitening can accomplish this and offers many benefits. The bleaching agents we use will reduce the chance of sensitivity in teeth while brightening them by several shades. The teeth whitening treatments we use will brighten your teeth and boost your self-confidence.
They also improve your overall oral health! Patients who get our whitening treatment motivate themselves to keep their mouths healthier. Maintain your oral health and hygiene and stay away from staining foods and beverages for the first few weeks. Your tooth whitening results can last much longer if you do.
Professional Whitening Options in Chicago, IL
Our dental office in downtown Chicago offers two types of professional and affordable teeth whitening treatments. We offer in-office treatment and an at-home teeth-whitening kit.
At-home treatment allows you to conveniently whiten your teeth at home, but in-office whitening offers much faster results. Our dental team is happy to answer any remaining questions you have about which treatment is best for you.
In-Office
Our in-office teeth whitening treatment uses a gel that contains hydrogen peroxide. This active ingredient penetrates the tooth enamel and dentin, where it then lifts the stains. We’ll cover your gums to protect them and reduce the chances of gum irritation.
Next, Dr. Brand will apply the bleaching gel evenly to your teeth. Then, Dr. Brand will use a special light to activate the whitening gel.
We can repeat this quick and effective treatment several times to lighten your tooth enamel by many shades. In-office teeth whitening is great for patients who want to whiten their teeth before special occasions. Schedule regular dental checkups to keep your teeth whiter and more vibrant.
Take-Home
We also provide take-home kits for patients who want to whiten their teeth at home. This option is more affordable. However, it also takes longer to see results. Teeth will gradually lighten over several weeks if used correctly.
Take-home whitening results will differ from person to person. Everyone has a different tooth structure and composition.
You’ll need a custom tray to use at home for this treatment. First, Dr. Brand will take dental impressions of your teeth. Next, she’ll send these impressions to our local dental lab make your custom dental trays.
After several weeks, once the trays are complete, we’ll send them home with you. You’ll use them to hold the whitening gel against your teeth. We’ll also provide you with specific instructions on how to properly use the whitening kit. If you have any issues or questions, you can always contact our office.
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Alternatives to Professional Whitening
Not everyone is a good candidate for teeth whitening. Whitening treatments are designed to remove surface stains, also called extrinsic stains. If your discoloration comes from inside the tooth, known as intrinsic staining, whitening may not give you the results you want.
Intrinsic stains can be caused by dental trauma, certain medications, or changes inside the tooth over time. Because these stains lie within the tooth structure, they cannot always be lightened with whitening gels. But porcelain veneers or dental bonding can treat deep tooth stains.
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that cover the front of the teeth. Dental bonding is another option that uses a tooth-colored material to cover stains. Tooth bonding is more conservative and best for minor cosmetic problems. We often recommend veneers if you want to cover one or more teeth that show when you smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dentistry service. Read the answers to these questions about tooth whitening in the Chicago loop.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Professional teeth whitening is very safe when performed or supervised by a licensed dental professional. Dr. Brand takes precautions to protect your gums and minimize sensitivity. Unlike DIY kits, Dr. Brand customizes the treatment based on your needs. Patients typically have fewer side effects and more predictable results under professional care.
Will my teeth be more sensitive after a whitening treatment?
Every patient will react to the whitening treatment differently. You may or may not feel some minor tooth sensitivity after treatment. We’ll do all we can to minimize the side effects during your procedure. But this side effect should only be temporary and disappear in a few days.
How soon will we see the results?
When you get in-office teeth whitening, the results are immediate. After a short dental appointment, your teeth will appear up to eight shades lighter. Professional at-home whitening results will take longer. Depending on how bad the stains are, it may take several days to weeks to see your results.
How long will the teeth whitening results last?
One of the best ways to keep your teeth white is to brush and floss. Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day or more. Also, remember to visit our Chicago dental office twice a year for checkups.
We also strongly recommend avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks. If you follow these simple habits, your results will last up to three years.
Are over-the-counter teeth whitening options better?
Many store-bought teeth whitening products are available, but they take much longer to see any results. Some of the store-bought products won’t be effective at all and may even cause damage. Professional tooth whitening is much safer and more effective since a dentist oversees the procedure.
Can I whiten my dental restorations?
The teeth whitening products we use cannot whiten dental restorations like porcelain veneers, dental bridges, dental crowns, and bonding compounds. Our highly effective whiteners use bleaching agents that work only on real tooth enamel. However, Dr. Brand may recommend replacing old restorations. She can also whiten teeth to match restorations.
Get a Whiter Smile
When you’re ready for a brighter smile, call Premier Dentistry for teeth whitening in Chicago, IL, at 312-586-8596. You can also request a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Brand online. We’re conveniently located in downtown Chicago, near Millennium Park, and serve the entire downtown area.