Teeth whitening is the best way to take ten years off your smile, and the cost is nominal when compared to the cost of a smile makeover with porcelain veneers or crowns, which can cost thousands of dollars. At Dr. Manduzzi’s Utica MI office, we like to keep this special cosmetic procedure affordable for our patients, and allow them to brighten their smile at a reasonable price.
Why Do People Get Their Teeth Whitened?
Many of our patients have decided to whiten their teeth before a big life event, like their wedding or the wedding of a family member. High school seniors often wish to brighten their smiles before their senior pictures or dances, such as Homecoming or Prom. But teeth whitening isn’t just for major life events – many people choose to whiten their smile before interviewing for a new job, getting on a dating website, or giving a big presentation at work. Teeth whitening is also a fabulous gift for those celebrating a significant event, like a high school or college graduation or wedding. But this is the type of service that can be given as a gift for pretty much any occasion, including birthdays, anniversaries, and other notable holidays.
When Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?
While teeth whitening can theoretically be done anytime, the best time to whiten teeth is approximately two weeks after a routine dental cleaning.
How We Whiten Your Teeth:
1. Custom Trays & Whitening Gel
A whitening tray is made from a custom mold taken from your teeth in a simple, short appointment done right in our office. This method provides the most thorough surface contact. Once at home, whitening your teeth is easy! Simply place the provided whitening gel, which is a 22% carbamide peroxide formulation, into the custom trays, carefully place the trays on your teeth, and wear for two hours per day or choose to wear them overnight (the main whitening activity occurs in the first two hours). That’s it! Rinse and repeat, and two weeks later you’ll have a brilliant smile!
The best part of this service is that the whitening trays are fully reusable! When you decide to re-up your shine, you can simply stop by our office and purchase a new tube of whitening gel.
2. Whitening Strips
There are different types of whitening strips, some of which are over-the-counter, and some of which are only available in dental offices. At Dr. Manduzzi’s office, we offer the ‘Sheer White’ brand of professional whitening strips. The active ingredient in these professional strength strips is 20% carbamide peroxide, and they offer excellent results with minimal to no tooth sensitivity. They’re easy to apply, too! Simply place them onto your teeth so that they cover both the front and back, and press them firmly into the creases between your teeth to ensure as much tooth surface coverage as possible. Wear the strips for 1-2 hours a day (but do not sleep with them on), and dispose of them when you’re done. It’s that easy! While these strips do not completely isolate your teeth from your saliva, they do produce fantastic results! The Sheer White strips set includes 5 days of whitening treatment.
Which Teeth Whitening Method Is Right For Me?
While both teeth whitening services we offer (custom trays and whitening strips) are sure to enhance and brighten your smile, Dr. Manduzzi and his staff of professionals will help you choose the teeth whitening method that is right for you. Generally, we find that superior results are achieved through the use of the custom whitening trays, however, our patients report a great deal of success and satisfaction with either whitening method.
Regardless of the type of whitening option you choose, it is important to brush and floss prior to whitening. However, DO NOT BRUSH directly after whitening, to avoid sensitivity. The best time of the day to whiten is after dinner and before bed. For best results, snacking or drinking after applying the whitening gel is not recommended, and especially no pigmented foods or drinks like red wine or coffee.
Will I Experience Tooth Sensitivity Afterwards?
While it is uncommon, some patients find that their teeth are a little more sensitive after a whitening procedure. But have no fear! A little brushing with Sensodyne toothpaste during the whitening process and taking a few days off between treatments should rectify this problem relatively quickly and easily.
Is There Anything Else I Should Be Aware Of Before Choosing To Whiten My Teeth?
There are a few contraindications to whitening that you should be aware of before deciding to whiten your smile. First, you must be free of tooth decay, which means no untreated cavities can be present before applying any type of whitening product to your teeth. This is largely because whitening treatments are essentially acidic, and it would be harmful to expose an already-sensitive or untreated tooth to treatments of this nature. Women who are pregnant or nursing should also avoid whitening procedures during these times. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that only natural tooth surfaces will whiten, and therefore crowns, veneers, and tooth-colored fillings will not whiten.
It is time to say “cheese” with confidence, and we would love to help you brighten your smile! If you would like more information on whitening options or assistance in deciding on a whitening treatment that is best for you, please call our office at (586) 731-9240 or fill out the contact form by clicking the contact button above.