Teeth Whitening
Dentist McHenry, IL
 Tooth discoloration happens to almost everyone and it can be hard to avoid. Tooth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments, with over $2 million spent on whitening products annually. At McHenry Smile Center, we offer highly effective in-office whitening treatment, but we can also give you information on home whitening options. We will also give you advice on preventing tooth discoloration in the future.
Candidacy
Teeth whitening treatment will not work as well for everyone. For instance, only natural teeth respond to whitening treatment. Some dental restorations can discolor over time, but they cannot be restored with a whitening treatment. These include veneers, caps, crowns, bondings, and fillings.
Certain types of discoloration also do not respond well to whitening treatment. Yellowing discoloration works well with these treatments, but teeth that are grey or brown do not. In addition, tooth discoloration as a result of injury, a medical condition, or medication can actually be worsened by whitening treatment.
Home Treatments
You have several options available for whitening treatment at home, though they may not be as effective as an in-office whitening treatment. Over-the-counter products include toothpaste and whitening strips. Whitening toothpaste has an abrasive texture which allows them to polish the teeth and remove stains. In addition, they have bleaching agents to make the teeth whiter. Whitening strips are similar in that they have chemical bleaching agents, but they do not have an abrasive texture that polishes out stains.
You could also get a home whitening kit from our dentist or a retailer. These kits come with a tray and whitening gel or paste. Again, these work on chemical bleaching agents. You will receive written instructions on how much to apply and how long to keep your teeth in the tray. With any whitening product, make sure you clean thoroughly according to the instructions so that you do not accidentally swallow anything.
In-Office Treatment
Our in-office treatments are similar to home whitening kits or other products. However, we have stronger formulas available that show faster results that last longer. For example, home whitening products contain about 3% to 20% peroxide (bleaching agent). In-office products contain approximately 15% to 43% peroxide. These are much stronger and require professional supervision and application, which is why they are only available in our office and not for at-home treatment.
You can expect teeth to become up to ten shades brighter in just a few appointments. Some treatments do allow us to finalize results in a single two-hour session. However, most treatment plans include several office appointments lasting about thirty minutes to an hour each.
For these treatments, we will first apply a protective gel or rubber shield to your lips and gums. This ensures that the chemicals do not affect them. Then, we apply the bleaching solution and use either heat or a special light to trigger the chemical reaction.
Before you leave, we will give you instructions on preventing tooth discoloration in the future. This mainly involves maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding foods and drinks with dark pigments, such as tea, soda, coffee, and dark-colored fruits. Rinse your mouth after consuming any of these if possible. For more information on teeth whitening options, call (815) 578-1000
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