What to Expect With an In-Chair Teeth Whitening Treatment
In-chair teeth whitening treatment is a dentist-administered procedure that uses specialized bleaching gel and LED light technology to brighten teeth that have been stained over time.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Tooth staining is a common problem with several causes. The main reasons for teeth discoloration come from food and drinks which contain tannins. Tannins are organic compounds that impart a brown color in some foods and beverages like berries and grape juice.
Certain pigmented foods and beverages also contain chromogen, which reacts with tannins to produce darker colors. These pigments penetrate the porous enamel layer on your teeth, resulting in stains.
Research has also shown a higher prevalence of teeth discoloration in smokers than in non-smokers due to the tar in the smoke and pigments in tobacco. Plaque and tartar build-up can also make teeth appear discolored and stained.
Teeth staining is a common problem that can be improved with in-chair teeth whitening from Hinsdale Dental.
The In-Chair Teeth Whitening Procedure
In-chair teeth whitening is an effective treatment that typically brightens teeth up to eight shades. At Hinsdale Dental, our dentists use the Philip Zoom In-Office Whitening Method, which offers dramatic results in just 45 minutes.
Before beginning, your dentist checks the current shade of your teeth using a shade guide and takes photographs to keep as records. This allows you to compare your teeth before and after the whitening procedure.
If you haven’t had a recent professional hygiene cleaning, your dentist may clean and polish your teeth to remove built-up plaque and tartar. After rinsing your mouth, your dentist dries your teeth, lips, and gums before applying a gingival barrier to the upper and lower gum lines.
This protects your gums from the whitening gel and keeps them clean for the entire procedure.
Once the preparation has been completed, your dentist applies a hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide-based advanced whitening gel to your teeth. These are active ingredients in the bleaching gel, which helps to whiten your teeth.
After the gel is applied evenly to your teeth using a small brush, your dentist shines a WhiteSpeed blue LED light to your mouth. The LED light activates the peroxide in the gel, causing an oxidation reaction. The oxygen molecules break down and disperse the staining compounds, allowing easier removal.
This gel application process and LED light absorption can be repeated three times within 45 minutes to ensure maximum whitening.
The whitening gel is suctioned and washed off when the procedure is complete. A post-whitening gel containing fluoride is applied to remineralize the enamel and reduce sensitivity.
What to Expect After In-Chair Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening procedures performed by dentists are safe and effective. Some patients experience mild side effects such as:
- Temporarily increased sensitivity to hot and cold substances
- Mild gum irritation
- Gum and tooth pain
These side effects are normal and usually subside within 48 hours of your procedure.
The Safe Way to Whiten Teeth
In-chair teeth whitening is the fastest, longest-lasting, and safest way to whiten your teeth. Call Hinsdale Dental today at (630) 323-5200 if you’d like to schedule an in-chair tooth whitening appointment using the Philip Zoom procedure.
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