Before Brite Smile Treatment                                                    After Brite Smile Treatment

How can you brighten your smile?

Your wedding is coming up and you want your smile to be its brightest. Or maybe you have an important speaking engagement. Whatever the reason, tooth bleaching isn't just for the movie stars, and it isn't just tor one day. Many people have had their teeth bleached, and probably millions more are thinking about it. The desire for a brighter smile with whiter teeth is very strong, and tooth bleaching safely lightens the color of the teeth, lasting for up to five years. The most effective and safest method of tooth bleaching is dentist supervised.
 

Is bleaching for you?

Generally, bleaching is successful in at least 90 percent of patients, though it may not be an option for everyone. Consider tooth bleaching if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange respond better to lightening. Other types of gray stains caused by fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline are lightened, but results are not as dramatic. If you have very sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, or teeth with worn enamel, you may not be a candidate for tooth bleaching.
 

What's involved?

First, the dentist will determine whether you are a candidate for tooth bleaching and what type of bleaching system would provide the best results.

If you're in a hurry for whiter teeth, you may decide to have your teeth lightened immediately. Our office now offers Brite Smile which is one of the most advanced tooth whitening technology available. Brite Smile is a fast activating bleaching technology with wavelength-specific get. It produces stunning results with only 15% hydrogen peroxide concentration. Brite Smile lightens your teeth up to 8 shades (on the average) in just one office visit! If interested in know more, you can ask for a free consultation visit to determine whether you are a candidate for this service.

If Brite Smile is not a choice, other more economical options are also available.

How long does it last?

Lightness should last from one to five years, depending on your personal habits such as smoking and drinking coffee and tea. At this point you may choose to get a touch up. This procedure may not be as costly because you can probably still use the same mouth-guard. The re-treatment time also is much shorter than the original treatment time.
 

How does it work?

The active ingredient in most of the whitening agents is 10 percent carbamide peroxide (CH4N202), also known as urea peroxide; when water contacts this white crystal, the release of hydrogen peroxide lightens the teeth.

This information was compiled for you by the Academy of General Dentistry. Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry.

General Dentistry As one of the 35,000 general dentists in the United States and Canada who are members of the Academy, your dentist participates in an ongoing program of professional development and continuing education to remain current with advances in the profession and to provide quality patient treatment Visit the AGD's website at www.agd.org. You have permission to photocopy this page and distribute it to your patients.
 

Is it safe? Any side effects?

Several studies, during the past five years, have proven bleaching to be sate and effective. The American Dental Association has granted its seal of approval to some tooth bleaching products. Some patients may experience slight gum irritation or tooth sensitivity, which will resolve when the treatment ends.
 

What are realistic expectations?

No one can really predict how much lighter your teeth will become. Every case is different. Typically, there is a two shade improvement as seen on a dentist's shade guide. The success rate depends upon the type of stain involved and your compliance. Bleaching can only provide a shift in color from gray to a lighter shade of gray, for example. Bleaching does not lighten artificial materials such as resins, silicants or porcelains.