Teeth Whitening

Do I need teeth whitening?

As you age, a number of factors can cause your teeth to become stained or discolored. Some of the most common causes of discoloration include:

• Coffee 
• Tea
• Dark-colored soda
• Red wine
• Smoking or the use of other tobacco products

Teeth whitening procedures work on teeth without fillings or crowns and are most effective in restoring the shine of teeth that have become yellowed over time.

Most people can benefit from teeth whitening procedures, but in some cases, your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment plan, like veneers. To find out if teeth whitening is right for you, visit McCormack Dental Group. 

How does teeth whitening work?

McCormack Dental Group uses the Zoom teeth whitening system, one of the most effective and popular teeth bleaching systems available today. In your first visit, your dentist performs a full examination of your teeth to determine if bleaching is right for you. You receive treatment on your second visit, which takes under an hour. 

Typically, a cleaning occurs prior to Zoom treatment, to remove any plaque or debris from the teeth and expose as much of the surface of your teeth as possible. Your dentist places a rubber device in your mouth to hold back your lips and gums, and then applies a hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth. 

Then they apply a special Zoom light to the gel for about 15 minutes. This light helps the hydrogen peroxide gel breakthrough stains and discoloration. You may need to repeat this process three to four times.

For patients who prefer to whiten their teeth from the comfort of home, McCormack Dental Group offers take-home trays. Unlike the kits available at the pharmacy, these trays are made from a mold of your teeth, which helps ensure that the gel is applied thoroughly to the surface of your teeth.

Take-home trays contain hydrogen peroxide gel and are available in both daytime and nighttime formulations. Daytime trays are worn for about 30 to 90 minutes a day, while nighttime formulations can be worn for 2-4 hours or overnight.

How is Zoom whitening different from store-bought whitening strips or toothpaste?

The chief difference between the two is the strength of the bleaching agent. Zoom teeth whitening at your dentist’s office uses the strongest bleaching agent, and, therefore, shows the quickest and most dramatic results. Zoom treatment is also more thorough since your dentist applies the gel to your teeth by hand.

Take-home trays you get at the dentist are also stronger than the kits you can find at a pharmacy, and also tend to cover more of your teeth than a pharmacy kit since the trays are specifically designed for your teeth.

If you want whiter, more brilliant teeth, call McCormack Dental Group today, or make a teeth whitening appointment online.