Many people have an interest in improving the appearance of their smile.  Whitening procedures brighten and whiten teeth without changing the shape or size of existing teeth.

Benefits of Whitening:

• A whitening procedure supervised by a dentist can produce whiter, brighter smiles in a two week period.
• You whiten in the privacy of your home. Many patients choose to whiten while they sleep.
• The whitening agent used in our office is an oxidizing gel that oxidizes the surface stain from the tooth surface.  It does not contain hydrated silica, an abrasive found in many over-the-counter whiteners.
• All teeth whiten to some degree.  The best results are achieved with teeth which are yellow, orange, or a light brown.
• We use a product which has been found to be safe and effective by the ADA Council on Dental Therapeutics.

Limitations of Whitening:

• Whitening agents do not whiten tooth-colored filling material or porcelain (crowns, veneers, and bridges).
• The degree of whitening a person will achieve is not predictable.
• The effect of whitening is semi-permanent and may fade with time but can be maintained with additional applications if you desire.

Contraindications of Whitening:

• Persons who have root exposure due to gum tissue recession may experience increased sensitivity to air and cold and may not be good candidates for whitening procedures.
• Patients who use tobacco products should refrain from tobacco during treatment.
• Persons with active decay are not recommended for whitening until restorative phase of treatment is complete.
• We do not recommend the product be used by those allergic to hydrogen peroxide or its derivatives.
• Patients who are pregnant or lactating should avoid use of whitening.

Possible Adverse Reactions:

The teeth may become sensitive (to air, cold, certain foods).  This is short-lived and reversible. If this occurs:

• Use less gel
• Shorten length of time of each exposure
• Increase intervals between exposures
• Apply sodium fluoride if directed

Gum tissue may become irritated.  If this occurs: