Additional Tooth Whitening procedures

In addition to the Zoom! Tooth Whitening procedure, we offer several simple in-office and at-home tooth whitening options. Regardless of your time or financial constraints our dentists can customize a tooth whitening treatment that meets your individual needs and expectations.

At the Drury Lane Dental Care, your customized tooth whitening treatment plan starts with a thorough consultation with one of our dentists. At this consultation, your teeth will be evaluated to determine if they will respond favourably to tooth bleaching technique. A complete history will be taken that includes how your teeth became discoloured. Based on your desires and history, our dentist will discuss available whitening options and help you decide on a procedure that will best meet your tooth whitening expectations, time constraints, and budget.

This consultation is important because bleaching teeth does not result in whiter teeth for all patients. Teeth with a yellowish discoloration, such as that caused by coffee, tea and cigarette smoking, typically respond very well to tooth bleaching techniques. Bleaching gray-hued teeth may not produce optimal whitening results. Whitening treatments have no effect on teeth that have had bonding or other tooth-coloured fillings placed on them, as the bleaching process cannot penetrate the bonding and filling. The natural tooth around the bonding or filling will whiten, and the bonded or filled area will remain stained. The result will be white teeth marred by patches of discoloration. Patients with filled teeth who desire a whiter smile may be good candidates for porcelain veneers or dental bonding. Patients with bonded teeth that have yellowed may be good candidates for porcelain veneers.

Once the dentists have determined that the teeth will whiten with a bleaching procedure, patients then choose from a variety of tooth whitening techniques. Because not all techniques work equally well for all patients, Dr Shoaei or Dr Allen will recommend the best whitening process for your individual needs. Both in-office and at-home treatment options are available.
In-house tooth whitening techniques take anywhere from one to three appointments running 30 to 90 minutes each. In-house whitening techniques involve applying a gel to the gums to protect them from the whitener, then applying the whitening agent to the teeth. Our nationally accredited cosmetic dentists monitor the whitening progress of the teeth during the procedure.
If your teeth are badly discoloured or you prefer to whiten your teeth with a method better suited to your daily schedule, Dr Shoaei or Dr Allen can prescribe an in-home whitening treatment. For this procedure, an impression is made of your teeth and a customized mouthpiece is made from the impression.

This is a very important step in the at-home whitening process and one the over-the-counter whiteners cannot offer. A mouthpiece customized to your teeth as opposed to purchasing an over-the-counter mouthpiece ensures that the whitening agent covers the entire tooth without leaking onto the gums. Mass-produced mouthpieces such as those found in over-the-counter whitening treatments may not fit properly and may cut across the teeth. An ill-fitting mouthpiece that allows the whitening agent to leak onto the gums can result in gum irritation and sensitivity. A mouthpiece that cuts across teeth means the whitening gel will not cover the whole tooth, resulting in a tooth that is partially whitened and partially stained.

Along with your customized mouthpiece, our cosmetic agent prescribes a whitening gel used in conjunction with the mouthpiece at home. Patients choosing this whitening procedure simply fill the mouthpiece daily with the whitening gel and wear it for the length of time prescribed by our cosmetic dentist. Typically patients return in two to three days to make sure the whitening process is progressing as planned and that there is no gum irritation. Most patients achieve their desired whitening results in one to two weeks.

Neither the in-office or at-home whitening procedure is permanent. How long the whitening treatment result lasts depends upon how much the teeth are exposed to staining. Re-whitening can be done as often as necessary, either in our or at home.

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