Tooth Whitening

Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.  If you decide you would like to lighten your teeth beyond what is achievable with regular cleanings, you should investigate all of your options.

Start by talking with Dr. Barnes. She can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow-ish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

One of the easiest and most effective professional bleaching procedures is the “take home” bleaching process.  To start, Dr Barnes will take impressions of your teeth.  She uses these to make you custom bleach trays that fit your teeth precisely.  You are sent home with a bleach solution that you place in the trays for about 2 hours, 1-2 times a day for 1-2 weeks.