As talented cosmetic dentists, Dr. Nechama Brand and Dr. Abraham Stein offer professional teeth whitening services to patients in Chicago, IL. Premier Dentistry and the entire dental team have made it their mission to help patients discover the best treatment options to improve their smiles. Professional tooth whitening is a safe and affordable solution that can accomplish that. For an instant smile makeover, the treatment can be used by itself. Additionally, it can be used with other cosmetic procedures, such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding to enhance the results.
What Causes Teeth Discoloration?
A variety of factors will stain, yellow, and darken teeth. Aging, using any form of tobacco, consuming staining foods and drinks, and certain medications can contribute to teeth appearing discolored. Red wine, tea, coffee, pasta sauces, and other rich sauce-based foods are the most common food and drinks that stain teeth. Tobacco is a major contributor to teeth turning yellow. These factors and conditions can wear down the teeth and show the dark layer of dentin underneath the tooth enamel. Foods, drinks, and tobacco products can stain or discolor the enamel. However, professional teeth whitening can fix this.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Your smile is an important part of your image, whether you realize it or not. It is often the first thing people notice about you. 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 not only brighten teeth and boost self-confidence but also improve overall oral health. Patients who receive our whitening treatment are often more motivated to maintain their smiles at home and schedule regular dental checkups. Maintaining oral health and hygiene and staying away from staining foods and beverages allows for tooth whitening results to last longer.
Professional Whitening Options in Chicago
Premier Dentistry in downtown Chicago offers two types of professional whitening; an in-office treatment and an at-home teeth whitening kit. At-home treatment allows you to conveniently whiten your teeth at home. On the other hand, in-office whitening offers much faster results. Our dental team would be happy to answer any remaining questions you may 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 will cover your gums to protect them and reduce the chances of gum irritation. Next, the bleaching gel is applied evenly to the teeth. Last, a special light is used to activate the whitening gel.
This quick and effective treatment is repeated several times to lighten the tooth enamel by multiple shades. In-office tooth whitening is great for patients who want to whiten teeth before special occasions such as birthday parties, weddings, and graduations.
Take-Home
We also provide take-home kits for patients that want to whiten their teeth at home. This option is more affordable. However, it also takes longer to see results. Teeth will become gradually lighter 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 will need a custom tray to use at home for this treatment. First, we take dental impressions of your teeth. Next, the impressions will be used to make the dental trays. These trays will be sent home with you and used to hold a whitening gel against the teeth. We will provide you with specific instructions on how to properly use the whitening kit.
Why You Should Avoid Store-Bought Whitening Products
Most stores that sell oral hygiene products will also likely sell teeth whitening products. But how effective and safe are they? The reality is, when administered by a dentist, you can expect the best teeth whitening results. Over-the-counter whitening products may be tempting because of their price, however, it will take much longer to see results, if they are even noticeable at all. Additionally, they are self-administered, which means you risk uneven results. Not only that, but you also risk damaging your teeth and gums.
When overseen by a dentist, a whitening treatment can lighten tooth enamel by multiple shades. It is much safer, and the results are predictable. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, it is best to leave this one to the professionals for the sake of your gums and teeth.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Will my teeth be more sensitive after a whitening treatment?
Every patient will react to the whitening treatment differently. Therefore, you may experience some tooth sensitivity after treatment. While administering your treatment, we will do all we can to minimize this side effect. However, this side effect should only be temporary and disappear in a few days.
How soon will we see the results?
The results are immediate when you get in-office teeth whitening. After a short dental appointment, your teeth will appear up to eight shades lighter. On the other hand, professional at-home whitening results will take longer. It may take anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on how bad the stains are.
How long will the teeth whitening results last?
You must take good care of your oral health to make your results last as long as possible. This includes brushing multiple times a day, flossing once a day, and visiting our Chicago dentist office twice a year. We also highly suggest avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks. They will cause your teeth to become stained and discolored again. Your results will last up to three years if you follow these simple habits.
Are over-the-counter teeth whitening options better?
There are many store-bought teeth whitening products available for you to buy. However, it will take much longer to see any results. Moreover, some of the store-bought products may not be effective at all and may even cause damage. Professional tooth whitening is much safer and more effective since a dentist will oversee the procedure.
Can I whiten my dental restorations?
The teeth whitening products we use cannot whiten dental restorations. This includes porcelain veneers, dental bridges, dental crowns, and bonding material. These highly specific whiteners use bleaching agents that can only work on teeth enamel.
Schedule Teeth Whitening in Chicago
When you are ready to have your teeth professionally whitened, call Premier Dentistry at 312-586-8596. You can also request a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Stein and Dr. Brand. We are conveniently located in downtown Chicago by Millennium Park.