Teeth Whitening

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with one or more of our simple bleaching procedures. We currently offer our state of the art Epic X Dental Laser whitening as well as traditional Tray Whitening

Teeth Whitening FAQ

Is teeth whitening safe?

Yes! Whitening gels of different forms have been used for over 25 years. All our treatments at Flagstaff Downtown Dental have been approved by the FDA and the American Dental Association. The exceptions for bleaching are children under 16 and pregnancy.

Is there an advantage to dental office bleaching vs. drugstore bleaching products?

Yes! The disadvantages of drugstore bleaching are as follows:

Whitening Toothpaste: Lack of concentration of the active ingredient. Often whitens by abrasion which does in fact damage teeth. You only have so much enamel!

Whitening Strips: Strips are messy! Due to the lack of a custom fit, your bleach leaks out and is concentrated much more on the edges of your teeth and less on the gums, resulting in uneven bleaching.  Sometimes irritating to the gums.  Also, refills of our tray bleach are stronger and only $40. Drugstore strips are often twice the price and not as strong.

 

Charcoal: Charcoal toothpaste is abrasive and wears away enamel.  It can leave a yellow tinge on teeth.  It can make teeth sensitive.  It does not whiten or remove stains below the surface of the enamel. It does not contain fluoride. Our dental office does not recommend charcoal.

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Patient receiving teeth whitening

Can my teeth be bleached to a natural color?

No one wants the teeth too white like Ross on the famous FRIENDS T.V. episode. We can control the amount of whitening you receive and have never had a complaint from any patient that their teeth are too white.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Any and all sensitivity to teeth bleaching is reversible and generally goes away within 24-48 hours. Although most patients experience only a minor degree of sensitivity, if needed, we have a gel that soaks into your teeth after treatments and helps soothe sensitivity.

How effective is teeth whitening?

Almost all teeth have either a gray or yellow tint to them.  No one’s teeth are actually the color white. The yellow shades people have a tendency to get more extreme results vs. the grays.  We will evaluate your teeth prior to recommending treatment and discuss the pros and cons with you.

Will my crowns and fillings whiten along with my teeth?

No. There are considerations before bleaching, and this is the main one. If your older crown is lighter than your current tooth color, bleaching can help blend pre-existing dental work. Unfortunately, sometimes dental restorations will need replacement if you desire whiter teeth that all match.

Does whitening help all discolored teeth?

No. If you have brown stripes from tetracycline staining or other reasons, it may or may not improve the look of your teeth. Whenever there is not a uniform shade to your teeth, there needs to be an evaluation and discussion prior to whitening, which we are happy to do. There is almost always a solution!

What is the cost of in-office teeth whitening?

Flagstaff Downtown Dental provides 3 options for whitening: One Hour Laser Whitening, Traditional Tray Whitening, and a combination of both. The cost is $400 for the laser, $200 for the trays, and $600 for both.  Usually, it is best to do the laser with trays.  If you already have trays, they usually suffice, and we can just do a laser treatment. We will thoroughly discuss your options before proceeding. Everyone’s case is unique.

How long does whitening last?

We recommend following up laser whitening with take-home bleaching trays to increase lightness and for 6-12 month follow-up treatment. Every case is different. Bleaching too often provides diminished returns.

What is happening microscopically to my teeth when I bleach?

The active ingredient in all our bleaching systems is hydrogen peroxide. Don’t put hydrogen peroxide on your teeth! Our bleach is delivered as a much safer carbamide peroxide which, when combined with the moisture in your teeth, safely releases hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide soaks deeply into your teeth and breaks up the staining organic particles in your teeth into smaller molecules that are lighter in color and can be released.

What type of bleach is used at Flagstaff Downtown Dental?

Laser: Biolase Laserwhite 20 with an Epic X Dental Laser

Trays: Opalescence 10%, 15% and 20%

What are the details of Laser Whitening?

Laser whitening takes only one hour and offers immediate results.  We use a very strong bleaching gel and cover your gums with a rubber dam during the procedure. The laser activates the bleach, and the results are often striking. Again, yellow-tinted teeth usually have a more dramatic change in color.

Patient getting teeth whitening
Patient getting teeth whitening
Patient getting teeth whitening
Patient getting teeth whitening

What are the details of Teeth Whitening with Trays?

It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a day or two, your custom bleach splints will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We’ll want to take after photos at your next appointment.

Dental bleaching can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful brilliant smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.

Key Benefits of Teeth Whitening

  • Corrects brown, yellow, and (sometimes) spotted tooth staining
  • Works on people of any age (minimum 16 years)
  • It is a near-permanent solution for a dull smile, restoring brightness and bringing a smile alive

An impression is taken to make a specialized mouthguard or stent to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used each night for about an hour per day for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging, or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or porcelain veneers may be more appropriate. Sometimes the ultimate result requires both.

Disclaimer: The above information is only valid when using Stowell, Blane and Bacon‘s whitening procedures under their supervision.

Ready To Enhance Your Smile?
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!

Flagstaff Downtown Dental Office Phone Number 928-774-1168 Book Online